Middletown transcript., 1901-09-28
SCIENCE AND THE HUMANE SOCIETY

The influence which scientific study,
including the discovery and elaboration
of the theory of evolution, has had upon
the treatment of animals is perhaps more
considerable than is generally known.
There is popular idea that the ":scien-
tilic tire tnent" is cold-blooded and
merciit without sympathy for the
suffering Of either animal or man; but in
the majority of cases this is not true.
The man of science often seems cold
hearted when he is in reality nothing of
the kind. He understands, better than
the uninstructed person, the necessity of
occasional infiction of pain, and the
good accomplished by it. Therefore,
instead of weeping and wailing over the
evil that is in the world, he sets himself
to remedy it, and in so doing, does not
hesitate to investigate and to infict suff-
ering whenever it is necessary. One
sensible, determined effort in this direc-
ton is worth the sentimental sympathy
of dozen people who sit at home and
shrink from even seeing or hearing of
pain.
The discovery of the theory of evolu-
ton, with all the consequences flowing
from it, resulted in a somewhat startling
and extremely radical change in the
attitude of the man of science, and, in
time, the attitude of humanity in general
toward the brute creation. Formerly,
animals were regarded as creatures with
out souls and consequently without any
rights which human beings were bound
to respect They were of interest only as
their economic value contributed to the
welfare of mankind, and, indeed, it was
the habit of theological writers to picture
the whole earth as having been expressly
constructed for the convenience and COM
fort of man. That there could be any
relation between animals and mankind
which would make the psychological and
physical system of the former worth
studying was an idea which did not occur
to these theologians al all.
Modern science has changed all that
Animal psychology is distinct branch
of study among scientists, and the habit
and instincts of the brute creations are
matters considered worthy of close at
tention. 1t is beginning to be recognized
that in the treatment and management
of dumb creatures, reason rather than
arbitrary theory should be the governing
power, are considerably more like human
being than has hitherto been supposed
The gradual advance of science has ais o
partly revolutionized' human thought in
another way. Comparison of animals
with man was formerly considered un-
worthy of the dignity of the latter, and
to call man a brlite was, and still is for
that matter, an insult. But it has come
to be understood that natural law is not
the unworthy guide it was formerly sup
posed to be, and the natural man., in
stead of being regarded as creation of
the devil, is now recognized as good and |
wholesome being. Instead of getting as
far away from nature as they can, civil |
lied human beings now recognize the
necessity of keeping a certain hold on |
their kinship with the brute creation. |
The wholesomeness of companionship |
with horses and dogs has long been recog
nized in a shamefaced sort of way; but |
the recognition is frank and |
sincere. Out-of-door companionship |
with nature Is gradually taking the place
of laboratory methods in the study of |
science; and the average man follows
the lead of the scientist. Men like
Thoreau, Burroughs, Bradford Torrey,
and Frank Bolles, have infected their
readers with their cordial love of all liv-
ing things; and those with sense of uni
versal relationship will not be unkind
either to their domestic animals or to hu
man beings.