A THOUGHTFUL ESSAY

Waipa Post, Volume 49, Issue 3555, 8 December 1934, Page 10

A THOUGHTFUL ESSAY

NATURE'S STRENGTH AND MAN'S RESTRAINT. (Contributed.) If science might be invested with human qualities, the most outstanding would be patience and beneficence Through countless ages man was unconscious that science existed. Even in ancient times., when human talents were productive of imperishable achievements, these were exclusively associated with the arts and philosophies. Science was given no seat in the intellectual family circle. W a few rare spirits discerned that naturewas dominated by hidden laws waiting to be elucidated, they were deemed eccentric. Down through the period called the Middle Ages and long past it the scientist was persecuted by the ecclesiastic. There was an ignorant fear that new knowledge would imperil old faiths. Science, however, had its season oil" revenge. M'en paid bitterly for their neglect of it, although they remained unconscious of that fact. The length of individual life was shortened, hateful diseases were epidemic, the man cif civilisation had not the health assets oil the savage. Meanwhile the pioneers of science, frequently at great persona] risk, probed into many of Nature's secrets, and found that she Was ready to lavish her gifts on all who were willing to learn and to render obedience to her laws. Men, however, were slow of. heart to believe. In the earlier stages, scientists who demonstrated fresh truths were treated as grown-up children wasting their time with new toys. Occasionally it was graciously conceded that scientific knowledge was impressive. But the last thing so-called practical men thought of was to, make any use of it. Simply as text-book knowledge it was employed to harass examination candidates. It took a long time to persuade the average man that science was seeking* to m'ake accessible to hint 'Nattii'e's heneficence. and that all around him; were forces waiting to be harnessed. Gradually, however, the principles the scientist had disclosed began to be demonstrat•ed in toil-saving, time-saving ingenuities. Concurrently there dawned on the vision of nations the fact that many of Nature's incalculable powers could be employed for dread and large-scale purposes. At that point a new factor entered. The challenge of the situation was w'hether the human creature Avas equipped to wieild wisely the powers liatent in external nature. The old learning had been hulmanistic; it had been concerned with life itself, with ideals, motives, ethics. Science was impersonal and mechanistic' It rested with man alone, therefore, to determine whether science was to foe his friend or his Frankenstein monster. The responsibility continues, and each generation must face it. Amid all the marvels which science has unfolded man stands the sole moral agent. He seems absurdly puny in comparison with the powers he can command, but Nature's systems are his servants by reason of his intelligence. With intelligence goes conscience, at the bar of which he must be able to justify his Use of the powers science has enabled hiim to possess. The alternatives clearly are the ethical use of them or ultimate destruction by them. The Day of Judgment as a theological doctrine men are free to interpret as they choose. But that we of this generation are living in a veritable day of judgment seems certain. In every direction the former Ways of life and of thought are being arraigned. Man is being called upon to take down the shutters of his mind and to look out upon a totally new conspectus of human relations. Science is almost ceaselessly engaged in opening- up fresh vistas of wonderlands and urging us to enter in. Aviation, wireless, and soon television, are cancelling the old-time meaning of the term 'i local." They are making it coterminous with the wihole earth. Man is equipped, with the deadliest of powers and lives in a constant state of nervous responsiveness to international repercussions. The disconcerting truth therefore is that, Avhile modern science has greatly multiplied human contacts and has almost totally destroyed the old isolations of time and space, there has not been a corresponding infusion of international relations with human sympathy and moral law. In the words of Sir Alfred Ewing, former president of the British Association, " Science has given man control over Nature before he has gained control over himself."

'The Great War marked the stage at which civilised humanity 'passed from one era into another. Man did not acquire a new nature but he did acquire a new knowledge, the terrifying knowledge that each fresh power which science bestows is double-edged. It may be an instrument for civilisation's development or destruction. Against the la'Sji' man's only safeguard is his moral growth; and such growth is depressingly slow. There was a time when scientific progress was not more rapid. But, within this generation, the chief characteristic of science has been the swiftness with which her rich gifts have followed upon each other. Man has net kept himself apace to the extent of restraining his passions, discard-

ing his prejudices, and giving wider range to his undei-standing and his sympathies. Unless such efforts are made the prediction that science will obliterate civilisation might yet be verified. On the other hand, despite portents numerous and ominous, there is not lacking some basis for the faith that, finally, man's better self will prevail. The prophets of and the labourers for a saner, nobler wcrld-order encounter cruel discouragements. But not a few of these are due only to the sharp shadows cast by the strong, pure l'ght of their ideals. Behind many modern movements which seem to have only material objectives there frequently lie dee]) spiritual impulses-. The League of Nations is something more than a political device seeking to ens-uve international peace. It is a positive necessity arising out of modern psychology. The world has leached that degree of moral growth which demands that some such institution should exist. The conscience of aggregate mankind is becoming more sensitive. Nations guilty of deeds of arrogance reveal that they are uncomfortable by their eagerness to justify themselves in the world's forum. Beth men and nations are visibly walking in fear of their own powers. But fear need not be disdained as a teacher until man, slowly perhaps but surely, gains, that moral control over himself which is essential to his wise control over Nature.