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canons of reality have taken on a mechanistic complexion； to the
neglect and progressive disuse of all tests and standards of a
more genial sort； until in the off…hand apprehension of modern
men； 〃reality〃 comes near being identified with mechanical fact；
and 〃verification〃 is taken to mean a formulation in mechanical
terms。 But the final test of this reality about which the
inquiries of modern men so turn is not the test of mechanical
serviceability for human use； but only of mechanistically
effectual matter…of…fact。
So it has come about that modern civilization is in a very
special degree a culture of the intellectual powers； in the
narrower sense of the term； as contrasted with the emotional
traits of human nature。 Its achievements and chief merits are
found in this field of learning； and its chief defects elsewhere。
And it is on its achievements in this domain of detached and
dispassionate knowledge that modern civilized mankind most
ingenuously plumes itself and confidently rests its hopes。 The
more emotional and spiritual virtues that once held the first
place have been overshadowed by the increasing consideration
given to proficiency in matter…of…fact knowledge。 As prime movers
in the tide of civilized life； these sentimental movements of the
human spirit belong in the past； …at least such is the
self…complacent avowal of the modern spokesmen of culture。 The
modern technology； and the mechanistic conception of things that
goes with that technology； are alien to the spirit of the 〃Old
Order。〃 The Church； the court； the camp； the drawing…room； where
these elder and perhaps nobler virtues had their laboratory and
playground； have grown weedy and gone to seed。 Much of the
apparatus of the old order； with the good old way； still stands
over in a state of decent repair； and the sentimentally
reminiscent endeavors of certain spiritual 〃hold…overs〃 still
lend this apparatus of archaism something of a galvanic life。 But
that power of aspiration that once surged full and hot in the
cults of faith； fashion； sentiment； exploit； and honor； now at
its best comes to such a head as it may in the concerted
adulation of matter…of…fact。
This esoteric knowledge of matter…of…fact has come to be
accepted as something worth while in its own right； a
self…legitimating end of endeavor in itself； apart from any
bearing it may have on the glory of God or the good of man。 Men
have； no doubt； always been possessed of a more or less urgent
propensity to inquire into the nature of things； beyond the
serviceability of any knowledge so gained； and have always been
given to seeking curious explanations of things at large。 The
idle curiosity is a native trait of the race。 But in past times
such a disinterested pursuit of unprofitable knowledge has； by
and large； not been freely avowed as a legitimate end of
endeavour； or such has at any rate been the state of the case
through that later segment of history which students commonly
take account of。 A quest of knowledge has overtly been rated as
meritorious； or even blameless； only in so far as it has appeared
to serve the ends of one or another of the practical interests
that have from time to time occupied men's attention。 But
latterly； during the past few generations； this learning has so
far become an avowed 〃end in itself〃 that 〃the increase and
diffusion of knowledge among men〃 is now freely rated as the most
humane and meritorious work to be taken care of by any
enlightened community or any public…spirited friend of
civilization。
The expediency of such 〃increase and diffusion〃 is no longer
held in doubt； because it has ceased to be a question of
expediency among the enlightened nations； being itself the
consummation upon which； in the apprehension of civilized men；
the advance of culture must converge。 Such has come to be the
long…term common sense judgment of enlightened public opinion。 A
settled presumption to some such effect has found lodgment as a
commonplace conviction in the popular mind； in much the same
measure and in much the same period of time as the current body
of systematic knowledge has taken on the character of matter of
fact。 For good or ill； civilized men have come to hold that this
matter…of…fact knowledge of things is the only end in life that
indubitably justifies itself。 So that nothing more irretrievably
shameful could overtake modern civilization than the miscarriage
of this modern learning； which is the most valued spiritual asset
of civilized mankind。
The truth of this view is borne out by the professions even
of those lieutenants of the powers of darkness who are straining
to lay waste and debauch the peoples of Christendom。 In
high…pitched concert they all swear by the name of a 〃culture〃
whose sole inalienable asset is this same intellectual mastery of
matters of fact。 At the same time it is only by drawing on the
resources of this matter…of…fact knowledge that the protagonists
of reaction are able to carry on their campaign of debauchery and
desolation。
Other interests that have once been held in higher esteem
appear by comparison to have fallen into abeyance； religious
devotion； political prestige； fighting capacity； gentility；
pecuniary distinction； profuse consumption of goods。 But it is
only by comparison with the higher value given to this enterprise
of the intellect that such other interests appear to have lost
ground。 These and the like have fallen into relative disesteem；
as being sordid and insubstantial by comparison。 Not that these
〃lower〃 human interests； answering to the 〃lower〃 ranges of human
intellect； have fallen into neglect； it is only that they have
come to be accounted 〃lower；〃 as contrasted with the quest of
knowledge； and it is only on sober second thought； and perhaps
only for the ephemeral present； that they are so accounted by the
common run of civilized mankind。 Men still are in sufficiently
hot pursuit of all these time…worn amenities； and each for
himself is； in point of fact； more than likely to make the
pursuit of such self…seeking ends the burden of his life； but on
a dispassionate rating； and under the corrective of deliberate
avowal； it will appear that none of these commend themselves as
intrinsically worth while at large。 At the best they are rated as
expedient concessions to human infirmity or as measures of
defense against human perversity and the outrages of fortune。 The
last resort of the apologists for these more sordid endeavours is
the plea that only by th