The toiler. [volume] (Cleveland, Ohio) 1919-1922, 1920-04-02
CHAPTER TWO.
THE RAOD TO HAPPINESS.


CHAPTER TWO
THE RAOD TO HAPPINESS.
Lester F. Ward, in the first volume of Dynamic
Sociology maintains that 'intelgent mind FORTH
FLED WITH KNOWLEDGE is the only reliable form of
directive force The only proper knowledge for this pur
pose is that which be acquired Of the materials and
forces of nature AS il is the utilization of these
which alone can secure the end sought, SO the
k W e g of these is the prime necessity
in the exercise of a d i We control over
human zeal for the Improvement of mankind Hence the
diffusion of this kind of knowledge among the masses
of mankind is the ONLY HOPE we have of securing any
greater social progress than that which nature itself
vouchsafes through its own process Of selection"
''The knowledge referred to is just that which is en-
braced in the word SCIENCE and the diffusion of it
is the process which goes by the name of EDUCATION
Therefore the first element of truly progressive system
is POPULAR SCIENTIFIC EDUCATION."
Those who understand the forces of their environ
nent are naturally adaptable to changes in their
cnvironmental conditions, hence more progressive.
Most of the opinions held by the mass of mankind are
based upon belief rather than science and most of them
are Incorrect
Progress us not the natural state of affairs The bulk
of mankind is nonprogressve Progress is forced by
economic Development
The development OF civilization depended upon
mans ability to understand the forces Of nature and
utilize them for his benefit Natural forces such as
WlHu, Tdln eecrlca forces, SteaIn
short all the laws IF physics and chemistry had to be
mastered by man before progress possible BEFORE
man mastered them he the payhing of the elements
The fecundity of the race forced man to learn the
use OF the forces OF nature lie used the wind to pump
water for him and to turn his mills and send his ships
across the He used watepower to run his machn
cry, to generate electrical energy and to rgate the
desert ALI OF mans progress is inherent in his ability to
USE natural forces He HAD to make himself master or
he made victim of these same forces.
Our progress IL the social world has not kept pace
with our progress in the industrial world. In the in
dustral world we work from causes to effect while in
the social world the tendency is to tinker with effects
while ignoring Social refomers usually work at
The roof instead of the foundation of the social structure
Happiness is that state of being wherin there is an
excess OF pleasure enjoyment pain discomfort
The cause Of human activity is to be found in man
struggle for happiness or self-gratfcation
Happiness car not be secured without PROGRESS
Progress OF be secured without ACTION
Action not be secured without OPINION
Opinion rests upon knowledge which is information
correct or Incorrect
Education is the distribution of knowledge
CORRECT FDUCATION-scientific knowledge. is
necessary in order that CORRECT OPINIONS may be
formed.
Correct opinions will nccessitate CORRECT AC-
TlON and progress will be the result
Faulty education results in incorrect opinions which
lranSmue themselves into the wrong kind OF activity
and an inhibition of progress is the result
The prevailing opinions held concerning intellect
and intelligence may be cited as an example of how
wrong opinions produce wrong activity which makes
progress difficult il not impossible
1t is generally accepted opinion that the "workers
are poor because OF lack Of brains* The acceptance
1f this opinion leads to condition of dependency that
greatly nterferes with action If action is taken it is
biological problem and meets with dscouragement at
the very start
1t lis not intellectual capacity which is lacking it is
inteligence'D
Intellect us mental power.
knowledge is food fer intellect
Intelligence is intellect supplied with knowledge
Those who desire progress should work for an increase
m intelligence through the spread of knowledge.
y This opinion we'll illustrated quotation noted
college professor-David with the
ignorant
~ This question is elaborated upon in detail 'Not Guilty"
by Robert Blatchford