Excerpt from Living in the Twentieth Century: A Consideration of How We Got This Way
Whatever one"s outlook upon life, one can scarcely deny that the last century has been the most striking and pregnant period in human history. Indeed it has already brought about more changes, or by implication is bound to bring about greater transformations, in human life and thought than were achieved between the so-called "dawn of history" and the middle of the nineteenth century. By the progressive, these changes are welcomed with enthusiasm as the prelude to a new and glorious age of prosperity, freedom and happiness, devoid of the older ignorance, scarcity, misery and solemnity. To the upholder of the old order, they are the most appalling challenge which he has ever been called upon to face. Therefore, all must take cognizance of, and prepare to reckon with, the cultural advances of the last century. We must take cultural inventory and come to realize that we are actually living in the twentieth century. We shall then be in a position to reflect upon what is to be done about it.
The contrast between the civilization of a century ago and that of to-day is frequently mentioned by cultural historians and historically and philosophically inclined novelists, and is sometimes put into dramatic paragraphs, one of the best of which we quote in the body of this book. There are textbooks on modern European history which give at least some passing attention to the great cultural changes since Metternich. But, as far as the present writer is aware, there has been no direct and conscious effort to set forth in clear and popular form those transformations in our knowledge and material culture which separate our day from the civilization of Bentham, Jackson or Lincoln. Such is the sole motive of the present volume, and the materials have been selected for this purpose alone.
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