NCEIV22 0-0720 Flashcards
Lesson 22
Lesson 22 Knowledge and progress
Why does the id
Why does the idea of progress loom so large in the modern world? Surely progress of a particular kind is actually taking place around us and is becoming more and more manifest.
Although mankin
Although mankind has undergone no general improvement in intelligence or morality, it has made extraordinary progress in the accumulation of knowledge.
Knowledge began
Knowledge began to increase as soon as the thoughts of one individual could be communicated to another by means of speech.
With the invent
With the invention of writing, a great advance was made, for knowledge could then be not only communicated but also stored.
Libraries made
Libraries made education possible, and education in its turn added to libraries:
the growth of k
the growth of knowledge followed a kind of compound interest law, which was greatly enhanced by the invention of printing.
All this was co
All this was comparatively slow until, with the coming of science, the tempo was suddenly raised.
Then knowledge
Then knowledge began to be accumulated according to a systematic plan.
The trickle bec
The trickle became a stream; the stream has now become a torrent.
Moreover, as so
Moreover, as soon as new knowledge is acquired, it is now turned to practical account.
What is called
What is called ‘modern civilization’ is not the result of a balanced development of all man’s nature.
but of accumula
but of accumulated knowledge applied to practical life.
The problem now
The problem now facing humanity is: What is going to be done with all this knowledge?
As is so often
As is so often pointed out, knowledge is a two-edged weapon which can be used equally for good or evil.
