Adaptation to changing conditions is the condition of survival.
To cope with the problems of the modern world we need, above all, to see them clearly and analyse them scientifically.
The way of approach is simple, if not easy - requiring, above all, constant self-criticism and care for precise statement.
It is easier, however, to find an index of progress, and consequently of fitness to bear the responsibility of exercising judgment. If a man reads or hears a criticism of anything in which he has and interest, watch whether his first question is as to its fairness and truth. If he reacts to any such criticism with strong emotion; if he bases his complaint in ground that it is not in "good taste," or that it will have a bad effect - in short, if he shows concern with any question except "is it true?" He thereby reveals his own attitude is unscientific. Likewise if in his turn he judges an idea not on its merits but with reference to the author of it; if he criticizes it as "heresy"; if he argues that authority must be right because it is authority; if he takes a particular criticism as a general depreciation ; if he confuses opinion with facts ; if he claims that an expression of opinion is "unquestionable"; if he declares that something will "never" come about, or is "certain" that any view is right.
The path of truth is paved with critical doubt, and lighted by the spirit of objective enquiry.
To view any question subjectively is self-blinding.
Lung Ming Academy , had the following motto headed each page on the books - "The student must first learn to approach the subject in a spirit of doubt."
The point had been more clearly expressed in the eleventh century teachings of Chang-Tasi - "If you can doubt at points where other people feel no impulse to doubt, then you are making progress."
How rarely does one meet anyone whose first reaction to anything is to ask : "Is it true?" Yet, unless that is a man's natural reaction, it shows that truth is not uppermost in his mind, and unless it is, true progress is unlikely.
-ZN.
