The Dominion SATURDAY,' JANUARY 4, 1919. THE STUDY OF MAN

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 85, 4 January 1919, Page 6

The Dominion SATURDAY,' JANUARY 4, 1919. THE STUDY OF MAN

The appointment of a. lecturer in ethnology for Otago University is a very desirable extension of the scope of university education in New Zealand. "The proper study of'mankind is , man." It is a'good thing to know as much as possible about the earth wo live on, and its plants and animals, and the sun, the moon, and the , stars; but knowledge of, man is of the first importance. If plants and animals are. worth studying, in a scientific and-systematic manner, how can the study of man be ignored? One authority tells us. that ethnology treats of the various large and small groups of human beings distributed over the face of the earth, and describes their mental, moral, and physical characteristics. Ancjent writers had a good deal to say about the distinguishing peculiarities of the various races which inhabited the world as they knew it, and a vast amount of new data bearing upon the study of mankind was made available 'when , Columbus discovered: the New World. Another period in the science of ethnology was opened 1 , by i the voyages of Oaptain Cook and the practical completion of the work of world 'discovery. Ethnology deals with the factors and forces which have played, and are playing, a part in the history of nations. It considers the social.; relationship of human groups; the connection'between pep.: pies in commerce, in marriage, in war; the. migrations of nations; their food and drink; their general manner of life. Much valuable and interesting information on all these points may 'be obtained by a study of the history and social customs of the'pr'imitive peoples who inhabit the'islan'ds of the Soiith Pacific, arid New Zealand students are 'favourably situated for undertaking research work in ethnology of a fruitful character... >'.■*■, ' ' The study .'of ethnology has much practical value apart from its importance from the point of view of pure /science.. Anthropology—of which ethnology is a brancn—includes within its scopo all phases of .the history, ..of ,man. ■ Me, R. ,R. .Mabett, Header in .Social Anthropology in the University of Oxford, tells us that anthropology studies rian as he occurs at all known times, in all known parts of the "world. It studies* him body and soul together. It aims at nothing less than.a descriptive formula '-that shall sum up the whole series of changes in which the evolution of man,consists. Up to the present anthropologists have mainly restricted their,attention to the'people we call -."savages,"' but Mb. .Makett holds that there shall not be one kind of history for savages and another kind for ourselves, but the same kind of history, with the same evolutionary principle running'right through it for all men, civilised and savage, present and past. The ethnologist and anthropologist have nothing to dp with the practical uses to which 'their researches may be put. Their business is to write the story of man in evolution: as accurately as possible. They are concerned with knowledge for its own. sake. Its_ usefulness is, from their point of view, a secondary consideration. The demand for immediate practical results from the study of science is unreasonable. The intellectual and moral standard of the community Is raised by the spread of sound knowledge, even if it has no direct application to commerce or industry or politics. Bacon rightly insisted upon the value of "the contemplation of things as fhey are, without superstition or imposture, without error or confusion." One of the greatest of modern scientists, Loed Kelvin, adopted the same, attitude as Bacon. He has placed on record the statement that we must' not regard applications to the ordinary purposes of life as the proper object and end of science. "Nothing could more effectually stop the advancement of knowledge than the prevalence of such views: even the desired practically useful discoveries would not be made if researches obnoxious to'the fatal question cui hono were to be uniformly avoided." The pursuit of knowledge for its.own sake is the root of science, and if the root should dieit would be vain to look for the fruits of science.

Bub though -the study of- anthropology is amply justified by, the illumination it throws upon the, manner of man's evolution, it is also well able to justify itself when'judgcd by utilitarian standards. In a little book entitled Anthropology as a Practical Science, Sir Richard Temple proves most convincingly the usefulness of the study'of mankind to those whose business brings them into contact with primitive peoples—to administrators, missionaries, magistrates; and merchants. "For the administrator an extensive knowledge of those in his charge is an attainment not only essential to hie own success, but beneficial in the highest degree to the country _h<j dwells in, provided it is'used, with' discernment—and discernment is best acquired'by-the 'anthropological habit.' " Knowledge is always power; ignorance is always dangerous.' Zeal alone cannot solve 'the problems which must be grappled with by men who are called upon to teach , or govern savage or backward races. Scientific insight is essential to success. An excessive amount of ostentatious homage is nowadays paid to science, but many people arc still surprisingly unwilling to bring it into the ordinary affairs of everyday life. They show no eagerness to accept the gifts it offers I them. Mr. Marett reminds us that I even in this twentieth century gov-

ernments and churches, with some honourable exceptions, are still woefully disinclined to provide their probationers with the necessary special training, though it is ignorance that always proves costly _in the long run. The anthropologist may hope that, just as for many years physiological science has indirectly subserved the art of medicine, so .anthropological science may indirectly, though none the less effectively, assist political and religious enterprises for the benefit of primitive races in ,the days to come. The lectureship in.ethnology which has now beep established in Otago University is a, welcome indication of a xgrowing faith in science and an increasing desire to bring it into closer and more vital touch with government' and other forms of social activity.