Lesson 22 Knowledge and progress
Why does the idea of progress loom so large in the modern world? Surely progress of a particular kin
d is actually taking place around us and is becoming more and more manifest. Although mankind has un
dergone no general improvement in intelligence or morality, it has made extraordinary progress in th
e accumulation of knowledge. Knowledge began to increase as soon as the thoughts of one individual c
ould be communicated to another by means of speech. With the invention of writing, a great advance w
as made, for knowledge could then be not only communicated but also stored. Libraries made education
possible, and education in its turn added to libraries: the growth of knowledge followed a kind of
compound interest law, which was greatly enhanced by the invention of printing. All this was compara
tively slow until, with the coming of science, the tempo was suddenly raised. Then knowledge began t
o be accumulated according to a systematic plan. The trickle became a stream; the stream has now bec
ome a torrent. Moreover, as soon as new knowledge is acquired, it is now turned to practical account
. What is called 'modern civilization' is not the result of a balanced development of all man's natu
re. but of accumulated knowledge applied to practical life. The problem now facing humanity is: What
is going to be done with all this knowledge? As is so often pointed out, knowledge is a two-edged w
eapon which can be used equally for good or evil. It is now being used indifferently for both. Could
any spectacle, for instance, be more grimly whimsical than that of gunners ourselves very seriously
what will happen if this twofold use of knowledge, with its ever-increasing power, continues.