Complexity of the Problem 
(the authors of the present work) to define our 
position more precisely. Like Darwin we wel- 
come all factors which appear to be capable of 
effecting evolution. We have no axe to grind in 
the shape of a pet hypothesis, and consequently 
our passions are not roused when men come 
forward with new ideas seemingly opposed to 
some which already occupy the field. We re- 
cognise the extreme complexity of the problems 
that confront us. We look facts in the face 
and decline to ignore any, no matter how ill 
they fit in with existing theories. We recognise 
the strength and the weakness of the Darwinian 
theory. We see plainly that it has the defect of 
the period in which it was enunciated. The 
eighteenth century was the age of cocksureness, 
the age in which all phenomena were thought to 
be capable of simple explanation. 
This is well exemplified by the doctrines of 
the Manchester school as regards political and 
economic science. The whole art of legislation 
was thought to be summed up in the words 
laissez faire. The whole sphere of legitimate 
government was asserted to be the keeping of 
order and the enforcing of contracts. Experience 
has demonstrated that a State guided solely by 
these principles is wretchedly governed. A large 
proportion of recent Acts of Parliament limits the 
freedom of contract. Such limitations are neces- 
sary in the case of contracts between the weak and 
27 
