INTRODUCTION 3 



expressed in the theories of Heredity and Evolution. It is 

 not sufficient simply to give one's assent to Darwin's theory 

 of the Descent of Man, as so many do, without understand- 

 ing it ; it is not enough to speak vaguely about Degenera- 

 tion and Race Suicide, without being able at least to grasp 

 the initial facts of the question. It is time that people 

 destined to become citizens learned to know the elementary 

 facts of natural science as revealed in the last fifty years. 



Fatherhood and motherhood are a mockery without the 

 serious consideration of their purpose. And how can there 

 be true responsibility without knowledge ? 

 VWe talk about the education of the masses. But what 

 has that education meant up to now ? A preparation for 

 life ? It is said so, because all that makes for the purpose 

 of earning one's livelihood is falsely called by that name. 

 Is the making of money, the mere supply of the material 

 wants of the body, the aim and end of our life ? Cer- 

 tainly not ; and yet no preparation is made, no thought is 

 taken for the most serious business of life, the begetting 

 and upbringing of the future generation. It is not as if we 

 were still in the darkness of utter ignorance. Nature her- 

 self, through her unending throes of procreation, ever 

 scaling towards a higher and grander humanity, has vouch- 

 safed us a glimpse of her method. 



Let us follow her, study her, imitate, and so finally 

 conquer her. 



