THE PHYSICAL AND MENTAL I WELFARE SOCIETY OF NEW ZEALAND

Franklin Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 20, 21 February 1940, Page 7

THE PHYSICAL AND MENTAL I WELFARE SOCIETY OF NEW ZEALAND

SCIENCE AND SPIRITUAL VALUES by Sir Richard Gregory, Bart, F.R.S. (President of the British Association). "Science assumes that the universe is a kind ot' mechanisin,” slates a recent" leading article in “Fernleaf,” the official organ of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association —-"And that Man is also a kind ol‘ mechanism. Most of us are fully aware that we are not machines; but many people think that Ihe universe must become a machine —a vast mechanism in which our values of truth, beauty and goodness mean nothing.” This statement

appears to he based upon a misapprehension of current scientific views. What Genera! Smuts Thinks In recent years,- various Presidents of the British Association for the Advancement of Science have referred in their official addresses to ihe social and ethical implications of science — to the influence for evil, as well as for good, which scientific discovery may have upon human life and thought. At the Centenary Meeting of the Association in 1931, General Smuts liicn president) taking as his subject ‘‘The Scientific World-Picture of Today, outlined upon ids canvas the intersections of science with lines of progressive development in which tiie materia! and the spiritual were differently coloured pencils combining to represent the conception of a harmonious whole. But though science ranks with art and religion in its spirit and vision, its true values to the human race are often misunderstood and misused. The result is that increase of scientific knowledge is regarded with fear and misapprehension, instead of being welcomed and used for the highest good. Abuse of Scientific Discovery “Indeed,” said General Smuts, "One of the greatest tasks before Ihe human race will he to link up science with ethical values, and then lo remove grave dangers threatening our future through the abuse of scientific! discovery. A serious lag has already developed between the rapid advance made by scientists as a body, on flic one hand, and the ethical development of the great mass of mankind, on the other hand. To blame science for the elhicaTlag of the world is io perpetuate the evil. Scientists themselves are now called upon to help the world to close the gap that has occurred, and which ethical lag on the part ol Ihe

The People’s Science Movement

NON - SECTARIAN; NON - PARTISAN

j mass of humanity threatens Ihe disruption of our civilisation and Ihe de- | cay of our species."’ 1 Science Takes up the Challenge. | II is evident from Ibis and other 1 similar pronouncements made recently I at meetings of Ihe British Association ■ ami oilier" scientific bodies, lliat scientists as a whole are keen to ensure Ihe protect ion of I licit* inventions and discoveries from Ihe abuse to which they are now subjected. They have taken up I lie challenge, and are assisting in a practical way to see that science is applied lor Ihe advancement of the human race, instead of its degradation. The wise application of science involves especially questions Ml clliics and values, and is linked up Closely with the general conditions and standards (both material aul u:ritual) of Ihe society in which scientific discovery is developed: and belief in honesty of purpose, liberty of thought, high ideals of service, beauty, truth and goodness are essential for creative endeavour in any field of intellectual activity. Darwin’s True Sdeats. The new Division of Hie British Association established in 1938—the division for Ihe study of Ihe Social iuni International Relations of Science S.R.S.) —is investigating not only the effects of advances of science on the well-being of Ihe community, but also going into the effects of social ■conditions upon advances in science. Darwin made a notable contribution to this part of ethics when he traced "the development of moral principles in human life from the point of view, of natural select ion. lie showed that the higher rules of human conduct are founded upon the social instincts, and l liat: I hey relate to the welfare of olliers. while different rules arise from public opinion matured by experience and cultivation. Darwin’s Internationalism "As man advances in civilisation,” said Darwin, "And small tribes are united into larger communities,' the simplest form Of reasoning power would tell each individual that he ought to extend his social instincts and his sympathies lo all the members of the same nation, though personally unknown to him. This point once having been reached, there is only an artificial harrier lo prevent his sympathies being extended to the men of all nations and all races." II is in this spirit of international relation-

ships of science and humanity, that j the work of the new S.R.S. Division j will be undertaken. Other scientific j bodies working in harmony with the S.R.S. Division are already in exist- ! enee in America, on the continent of Europe and in New' Zealand (the . P.M.W. Society). i Spiritual Vision of Science. Stated from the scientific viewpoint, the ideal towards which Man has been progressing throughout the ages j (though not always consciously so) j has been the extension lo as many j members of the human species as pos- ; sibie of opportunities for the peaceful enjoyment of the amenities of exist,- i cnee, which will in turn enable him to develop ills intellectual and spiritual ; nature and qualities lo the lull —in ( short, to live .that ‘full and abunlant life” which is every man's heritage. ] Such opportunities, says Science, can host be secured lo the individual in ; the form of society in which liberty and justice are the guiding principles.

A Spiritual Message The attitude of present-day scientists is that the virtues which should be prized most today, if civilisation is 1o mean Ihe evolution of social elbics to a noble plane, are: regard for spiritual values, love of truth and beauty, righteousness, care for the suffering, sympathy with the oppressed and belief in Ihe brotherhood of man. Upon a study of the practical work of scientific bodies in Britain, America and the Continent, it must he conceded that this attitude is not merely theoretical, but includes hard and intensive werk towards the spiritual ideals in question. The scientist believes with the apostle of old that it does not profit any man if he has faith, but no works! It is in the light of service to sucli spiritual jideals that ; science, without which we cannot live, and religion, without which most people would see no meaning in life, now find a common field for their activities.