The Place of Science in Modern Civilisation, and Other Essays

The collection opens with a bold claim that modern Western society’s edge lies not in moral or artistic superiority, but in its matter‑of‑fact, scientific outlook. The author argues that this grasp of material facts gives contemporary civilization a decisive advantage in the struggle for survival, shaping everything from the rise of machine technology to the everyday habits of its peoples. The author explores whether this trait stems from cultural habit, inherited dispositions, or a blend of both, and stresses how the core of modern life clusters around knowledge while other traditions appear as remnants of a past age.

In the following essays the author widens his lens, tracing the evolution of the scientific point of view, questioning why economics resists an evolutionary framework, and dissecting the assumptions that underlie marginal utility and Marxist theory. The author also examines the nature of capital, the role of leisure, and the social impact of trusts, all written with an accessible wit. Listeners will find a rich, historically grounded commentary that still resonates with debates over science, economics, and the shape of civilised life.