I make bold to
say that the greatest want of the day, from a purely practical
point of view, is the more general introduction of the scientific
method and the scientific spirit into the discussion of those
political and social problems which we encounter on our road to a
higher plane of public well being. Far from using methods too
refined for practical purposes, what most distinguishes scientific
from other thought is the introduction of the methods of practical
life into the discussion of abstract general problems. A single
instance will illustrate the lesson I wish to enforce.
The question of the tariff is, from a practical point of view, one
of the most important with which our legislators will have to deal
during the next few years. The widest diversity of opinion exists
as to the best policy to be pursued in collecting a revenue from
imports. Opposing interests contend against one another without
any common basis of fact or principle on which a conclusion can be
reached. The opinions of intelligent men differ almost as widely
as those of the men who are immediately interested. But all will
admit that public action in this direction should be dictated by
one guiding principle--that the greatest good of the community is
to be sought after.
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