Complexity of the Problem 



(the authors of the present work) to define our 

 position more precisely. Like Darwin we wel- 

 come all factors which appear to be capable of 

 effecting evolution. We have no axe to grind in 

 the shape of a pet hypothesis, and consequently 

 our passions are not roused when men come 

 forward with new ideas seemingly opposed to 

 some which already occupy the field. We re- 

 cognise the extreme complexity of the problems 

 that confront us. We look facts in the face 

 and decline to ignore any, no matter how ill 

 they fit in with existing theories. We recognise 

 the strength and the weakness of the Darwinian 

 theory. We see plainly that it has the defect of 

 the period in which it was enunciated. The 

 eighteenth century was the age of cocksureness, 

 the age in which all phenomena were thought to 

 be capable of simple explanation. 



This is well exemplified by the doctrines of 

 the Manchester school as regards political and 

 economic science. The whole art of legislation 

 was thought to be summed up in the words 

 laissez faire. The whole sphere of legitimate 

 government was asserted to be the keeping of 

 order and the enforcing of contracts. Experience 

 has demonstrated that a State guided solely by 

 these principles is wretchedly governed. A large 

 proportion of recent Acts of Parliament limits the 

 freedom of contract. Such limitations are neces- 

 sary in the case of contracts between the weak and 



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