- A WAIF AND ITS ADOPTION 



But a scientific theory of understanding in- 

 cludes the recognition of the socialist philosophy. 

 And the only element which is consciously striv- 

 ing for the realization of this philosophy is the 

 class-conscious proletariat of the world. 



XVI. A WAIF AND ITS ADOPTION * 



With the establishment of the facts of uni- 

 versal evolution, bourgeois science had accom- 

 plished something which did not only far surpass 

 the narrow demands of business interests, but 

 which also became a serious annoyance and 

 danger to the ruling classes. True, most of the 

 bourgeois scientists vehemently denied that social 

 evolution partook of those tendencies of universal 

 evolution which were claimed for it by prole- 

 tarian thinkers. It is continually denied to this 

 day that the results of modern science are op- 

 posed to theological religion and class rule. But 

 the facts acknowledged by the bourgeois scien- 

 tists as irrefutable were sufficiently revolutionary 

 to call forth violent protests from bourgeois and 

 feudal politicians, and to set theological philos- 

 ophers at work writing long-winded treatises try- 



153 



