Vera Stanley Alder on Civilization

“Man acts because he believes that his actions will bring forth certain results. The bird builds its nest because it anticipates in its own way certain family developments. All life looks to the future. It is only in ratio with our ability to estimate the future that our life will not be lived in vain. All the greatest creative works have been achieved well ahead of their time. Primitive man plans for the next few hours. Average man plans for the next few years. Superman plans for the coming centuries. The urgent need, therefore, is to learn to see what is ahead of us, if that is possible. I believe that it is possible, and that, without the aid of astrology, prophetic dreams or psychic visions, but purely through a logical thought process, we can tune in the mind to that part of its own world where the plan of the universe and the process of evolution is mapped out. It is, I am convinced, a process as practical, as scientific, and as sure as that of using a wireless set. p 18”

“Civilization is at the cross-roads. The issues are now so obvious that no argument is necessary. Forces of tyranny are arrayed against those who are minded for liberty and peace. Humanity is dividing into two camps. Men are spending most of their substance on material for mutual slaughter. In such a way are the first two thousand years of the Christian era drawing to a close. The world presents a panorama in which progress and barbarism, organization and chaos, brilliance and stupidity seem inextricably mixed. What has gone wrong? Is there true cause for hope or for despair? Is it possible to read the riddle of human evolution, to discover the clue to future progress, and to find the means by which humanity can be set free from the present apparent deadlock? For civilization has reached an impasse involving other things than war, an impasse involving economics, health, morality, and self-knowledge. Is there any way of piercing the fog of surface happenings, and of understanding the true trend and significance of events? Introduction”