Evening star., 1931-11-29

/ Although this institute has been in
I operation but two years, / am informed
| authoritatively that the results thus far
are striking All that concerns the
conduct of mankind forms the subject
OF its inquiry. Science is made to pene-
/ trate more and more into human affairs
/ The doctor, the lawyer, the engineer.
| the banker, under the proposed regime
will not be permitted to become so en-
! crossed in their Specialties as to forget
/ the broad bearings of these on human
kind.
In general, the progress of universities
| in this large field has been slow, but not
| without significance. Their procedure
has been to study conditions as they are
! and gradually to apply more and more
precise methods to them. At New York
University a school of retailing was
established about 10 years ago with
| these aims to crystalline the best re-
, failing practice, to state in simple terms
| the general principles upon which it is
based and to show how it can be applied
to local conditions. The school is spon-
sored by 20 Of the leading department
stores in the metropolitan district.
whose heads now heartily agree that
higher learning is great boon to
retailing.
The methods Of insurance, real estate,
banking and brokerage, accounting and
utilities are also III the process Of re-
vision by universities Their first aim
has been to win the confidence of those
who are directing such activities and
to show that our schools are equipped to
help business in much the same way
that agricultural schools have helped
farming. Economics, society and politics
constitute the vast field of their laborS
from the newer point of view. And
although the social sciences have not
yet attained to a scientific status In q
strict sense, 1t is clear that they have a
real basis Of science and that this basis
will broaden with the years. It is also
clear, considering how pervasively
science now affects the individuals be-
/ inC-his manner of living. his profess
stonal aspirations, his recreation. his en-
joyment of art and literature. even his
/ religion-that science. II we can only
fully understand it, is our main reliance.
Case Was Incomplete.
A tremendous step forward will be
made when the truth of some great
principle in the sphere of the social
sciences can be demonstrated-Some-
thing comparable, for example, with the
principle of magnetic induction, from
which, in conjunction with certain re-
lated principles, so many Of our ex-
traordlnary facilities of communication
| have been derived. Imagine the deriva-
tlveS OF the principle, If it could be
established, that war, under modern
conditions, is a vain and futile thing!
Fifteen years ago Mr.. Norman Angel
championed this thesis on purely eco
nomic grounds. He had no great diff
Guilty IN showing that most predatory
vars defeated their own purpose. be-
cause national wealth depends in con-
siderable degree upon foreign markets
and one or another of these is impaired
by the destruction which is inevitably
caused
The case he made out was respecta-
bic but incomplete, because of too
narrow approach. He neglected the
backgrounds and perspectiveS in several
heldS OF endeavor which were pertinent
70 the SubJect-the moral field, for cne.
These are of the essence of the scientific
spirit. The Great War furnishes us
with body of experience Irom many
points of view which, when it is pre-
clse!ly studied and synthes.sed. may
go far toward discrediting such means
| OF settling disputes. Needless to saw.
a study Of this kind would start with
the assumption that the best interests
OF mankind as a whole would be the
deciding factor But is it not true that
science in all ways is setting up an
international outlook?
Imagine that through the scientific
spirit 1t could be demonstrated that
riches do not bring happiness. Philoso-
piers have preached this for centuries
but they were philosophers! There
nave. to be sure, been opportunities for
years to observe desperate unhappiness
IN the homes Of the very rich. But
these scattered cases have failed to
register in the minds of the public.
The belief has persisted that most pao-
PIE could be happy If only they were
rich.
By-PrOduct Of Science.
However there has recently come
mo mo belng situation which may have
throWn some new light on the matter.
re1er to the era of prosperity which
was ours and the depression which has
followed it. This was the first time in
American history, or in the history of
the world, for that matter, that such
great numbers Of persons in all ranks of
society had the anticipation of riches.
Inc situation was really a by-product
OF science. the mass production of lux
urleS, causing the necessity for an I'M
precedented extension of credit facili-
Ties, put people to the test of happi-
ness under luxurious conditions The
aftermath is painful but there is evil
dence to show that not a few who were
IuriouSly active to advance their sta
lions are now somewhat disillusioned.
not only economically, but spiritually.
IN any case, broad basis of experience
has been established which. If carefully
studied, might prove to be highly salu-
tory TO the public at large.
All this may seem highly fantastic
as material for scientific study. But
the history Of science itself--the nat
ural sciences-furnisheS interesting evil
dence OF processes similar to those
which are recommended for the social
sciences. AS is well known. knowl-
eoge has been cut up into small bits by
intensive specialization, in order that
knoWledge in the large might be made
effective by an elaborate system of CO.
operation. The chemist, the physicist.
the biologist have divided and sub
divided their respective subjects and in
the process have discovered, here and
there, truths that would combine in
surprising ways.
So today chemistry is organized not
only for itself, but for medicine. in
dustry, public health, etc. What chem
istry and physics, working together,
are doing for medicine holds the possi-
bility of revolutionary discoveries. quite
the equal. it is said, of those of the
great PaSteur. The study of germ
bearing insects virtually wiped out vel
low fever and certain other diseases.
Gradually psychology and sociology
have been brought into work with
science on problems of public health
and mental diseases. 1t would be hard
to overstate the part played by these
in combating tuberculosis.
Slow, Arduous Task.
These are examples of the lead taken
by natural sciences. The social sciences
are following similar lines. By the aid