INTRODUCTION 



READING these essays after the words and sen- 

 tences which compose them have lain fallow in 

 my mind for many months, I find myself beset with 

 solicitude lest they shall not accomplish the purpose 

 for which they were originally written, and for which 

 they are now given book form. That purpose was to 

 bring to the attention of the public to educated, 

 thoughtful people first, then afterwards to the intelli- 

 gent rank and file a certain way of looking upon the 

 living world generally, and man particularly, which I 

 believe to be vital to human welfare. The significance 

 of the scientific point of view which underlies these 

 essays has been gradually forcing itself upon my mind 

 through many years, as, started from and impelled by 

 purely scientific motives in the first instance, the stand- 

 point itself has slowly taken shape. Now, the world- 

 struggle at arms, in which our country has inevitably 

 become fully involved, is upon us and convinces me 

 more than ever of the mighty part "point of view," 

 theory, philosophy call it what you wih 1 plays in 

 the affairs of civilized mankind. 



Who in the United States to-day, when the Nation is 

 giving for an ideal its lives and its treasure with a lav- 



5 



