SCIENCE AND THE THOUGHT OF THE WORLD 



unconsciously to identify the issues of that particular 

 party with truth itself. With the most honest intentions 

 on the part of the speakers, the reasoning which is heard 

 in Parliament, or from public platforms, is almost always 

 one-sided from the warping influence of party ties and 

 issues. 



In direct opposition to this narrowness of thought, 

 which views all subjects through the distorting mirage of 

 party prejudice, stands the absolute freedom of mind of 

 the man of science, who knows, or ought to know, nothing 

 of party, and stands with open arms to welcome truth in 

 however strange or unexpected guise she may present 

 herself. In his writings the man of science has no lower 

 aim than the diffusion of truth so far as it is known, and 

 no desire to make converts to any opinion or party. As 

 opposed to the finality of party opinions, he proclaims 

 that truth is but very partially attained by man on any 

 subject, for we can see truth only imperfectly, as she 

 appears altered by the perspective of our own standpoint. 

 The scientific attitude of mind is no less than antipodal 

 to that of the ordinary party man, wrangling for his own 

 particular shibboleth. 



Following upon greater freedom of private opinion, and 

 the desire for truth rather than for party success, has 

 grown up the greater fearlessness in suggestion, and in 

 the acceptance of new views, which is undoubtedly 

 characteristic of the present age, and stands in strong 

 contrast to the conventional timidity of half a century 



105 



