1440 LIFE : OUTLINES OF GENERAL BIOLOGY 



cloistered world of thought. On the contrary, it becomes plain how 

 we may and do return from it, to the objective world; yet no longer 

 simply acceptant of the place, work, and folk with which we set out ; 

 but now modifying, or even reshaping, these, as far as may be ; and 

 that in terms of our inwardly emotioned discernment and vision. 

 Our ideals thus attain outward form and expression ; they re-group 

 and re-associate all who share our ideal, whatever that be, into 

 some fresh form of social organisation, great or small. So our initial 

 work-experience, now ideated and theorised as science, impels to 

 application, even upon some fresh line; yet this no longer so extern- 

 ally conditioned, as mere act, but inwardly clarified towards realisa- 

 tion, and thus in collective or individual energy of deed. Our sense- 

 acquired, yet thence transmuted, mental imagery thus finds out- 

 ward embodiment, be this in victory, in art, or other achievement. 

 But only in the measure and harmony between these three inward 

 elements and impulses can be their effective realisation. This fresh 

 chord of life thus attains its intensest and highest expression — and 

 hence passes beyond individual effort; it rises to Etho-polity, with 

 its Synergy, and its Achievement. Have we not all been impressed 

 by the high measure in which our recent antagonists in war so 

 vigorously organised this unison? We suffered much from such 

 effectively unified ambition and endeavour during long years of 

 war, with its well organised attacks well nigh overpowering us. Yet 

 in its last period, that potent synergy was dramatically reversed, 

 partly no doubt by incipient exhaustion, yet also by more fully 

 aUied unison of these same psychologic elements, applied with j^et 

 fuller intensity, and thus to ultimate victory. So why not now a yet 

 fuller arousal of the ardour and devotion of youth, uniting anew its 

 emotional, intellectual and imaginative powers, and these turned 

 towards deeper and higher social achievements, with generous 

 rivalry in the arts of true peace, at once reconstructive and evolu- 

 tionary? Are not many elements of this already stirring over the 

 world, and but needing fuUer equipment, organisation, and leader- 

 ship in their turn? 



And if so, may not — indeed must not — such experimental 

 developments be pregnant of further thought as well? Vivendo 

 Discimtis. And so on, indefinitely: for Life evolves through Living; 

 so from Act and Fact to Thought and Deed; and then again 

 modifying Acts and Facts: (Discendo Vivimus!) hence more 

 capable of rise to new Thoughts ; whence Deeds anew. And so on 

 (cf. p. 1413). Is not this the process of Social Evolution at its best? 

 (And, if so, what of its incipience, from, and in, organic life and 

 Development as well?) 



