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The most significant tendency of art and the greatest danger, which operates in all fields, is, therefore, that commercialism, mass-production, standardization, and the heeding of large volumes of demand will lead to an increase in the quantity of art-production but a decrease in the average of its quality, unless the evils of the system are counteracted by certain developments, the chief of which are education, co-operation, and the birth of a new attitude with regard to art-ideals.
Our attitude towards the arts must lead us to relate them more closely to our other interests and, as a corollary, the different kinds and different values of artistic enjoyment must be synthesized. We desire neither to set art upon a pedestal of superiority nor to despise it as a recreative frivolity. We need to realize on the one hand that all human activities possess of a necessity positive or negative artistic significance which we cannot avoid; even though we consciously ignore art, we are subconsciously and indirectly influenced. Further, we cannot disregard the close economic relationship between the artistic and the merely utilitarian.
We have seen something, but only one aspect, of this when discussing applied art; the relation is wider than this, since, for example, the amount of time, energy, money, and material available for artistic purposes is closely connected with material economic conditions. And, still further, there is the psychological or spiritual element, art satisfying human needs which are unsatisfied by other activities, supplementing, filling the gaps in our personal development. We cannot put art into a watertight compartment. The extent to which art appeals to an individual, and the particular way in which and the special medium through which artistic impulses find expression, will depend very largely upon biological and social factors, upon the materially ordered associations of the individual, his work, his health, everything that impinges upon his life. Further research will expose the fundamental reasons for this, but even now we realize that a love of dancing, of the theatre, of poetry, of sculpture is not a mere gift or genius or taste or predilection but also something which is fostered and directed by material environment. Confronted with this realization, we must regard art as an inseparable organic element in life, not as a superimposed culture which may or may not exist in any individual or take any form.
And the corollary of this, as said before, is that, since artistic potentialities exist in all men according to their being and environment, the realm of art will present as large a variety of values, types, and manifestations as does our life itself. Yet all these manifestations are part of one. Good, bad, or indifferent, they represent the best, most suitable art that different men at any time are capable of appreciating or desirous of cultivating. This is the excuse for our plea for broadmindedness.
Each, pott 8vo, 2/6 net Occasionally illustrated
TO-DAY AND
TO-MORROW
THIS series of books, by some of the most distinguished English thinkers, scientists, philosophers, doctors, critics, and artists, was recognized on publication as a noteworthy event. Written from various points of view, one book frequently opposing the argument of another, they provide the reader with a stimulating survey of the most modern thought in many departments of life. Several volumes are devoted to the future trend of Civilization, conceived as a whole; while others deal with particular provinces, and cover the future of Woman, War, Population, Clothes, Wireless, Morals, Drama, Poetry, Art, Sex, Law, etc.
It is interesting to see in these neat little volumes, issued at a low price, the revival of a form of literature, the Pamphlet, which has been in disuse for 200 years.
Published by
KEGAN PAUL, TRENCH, TRUBNER & CO., LTD.
Broadway House: 68-74 Carter Lane, London, E.C.4
VOLUMES READY
Daedalus, or Science and the Future. By J. B. S. Haldane, Reader in Biochemistry, University of Cambridge. Sixth impression.
“A fascinating and daring little book.”—Westminster Gazette. “The essay is brilliant, sparkling with wit and bristling with challenges.”—British Medical Journal.
“Predicts the most startling changes.”—Morning Post.
Callinicus, a Defence of Chemical Warfare. By J. B. S. Haldane. Second impression.
“Mr. Haldane’s brilliant study.”—Times Leading Article. “A book to be read by every intelligent adult.”—Spectator. “This brilliant little monograph.”—Daily News.
Icarus, or the Future of Science. By Bertrand Russell, f.r.s. Third impression.
“Utter pessimism.”—Observer. “Mr. Russell refuses to believe that the progress of Science must be a boon to mankind.”—Morning Post. “A stimulating book, that leaves one not at all discouraged.”—Daily Herald.
What I Believe. By Bertrand Russell, f.r.s. Second impression.
“One of the most brilliant and thought-stimulating little books I have read—a better book even than Icarus.”—Nation. “Simply and brilliantly written.”—Nature. “In stabbing sentences he punctures the bubble of cruelty, envy, narrowness, and ill-will which those in authority call their morals.”—New Leader.
Tantalus, or the Future of Man. By F. C. S. Schiller, Fellow of Corpus Christi College, Oxford.
“They are all (Daedalus, Icarus, and Tantalus) brilliantly clever, and they supplement or correct one another.”—Dean Inge, in Morning Post. “Immensely valuable and infinitely readable.”—Daily News. “The book of the week.”—Spectator.
Quo Vadimus? Glimpses of the Future. By E. E. Fournier d’Albe, D.Sc., author of “Selenium, the Moon Element,” etc.
“A wonderful vision of the future. A book that will be talked about.”—Daily Graphic. “A remarkable contribution to a remarkable series.”—Manchester Dispatch. “Interesting and singularly plausible.”—Daily Telegraph.
Lysistrata, or Woman’s Future and Future Woman. By Anthony M. Ludovici, author of “A Defence of Aristocracy”, etc.
“A stimulating book. Volumes would be needed to deal, in the fullness his work provokes, with all the problems raised.”—Sunday Times. “Pro-feminine, but anti-feministic.”—Scotsman. “Full of brilliant common-sense.”—Observer.
Hypatia, or Woman and Knowledge. By Mrs. Bertrand Russell. With a frontispiece. Second impression.
An answer to Lysistrata. “A passionate vindication of the rights of women.”—Manchester Guardian. “Says a number of things that sensible women have been wanting publicly said for a long time.”—Daily Herald. “Everyone who cares at all about these things should read it.”—Weekly Westminster.
The Mongol in our Midst: a Study of Man and his Three Faces. By F. G. Crookshank, m.d., f.r.c.p. With 28 Plates. Second edition, revised.
“A brilliant piece of speculative induction.”—Saturday Review. “An extremely interesting and suggestive book, which will reward careful reading.”—Sunday Times. “The pictures carry fearful conviction.”—Daily Herald.
The Conquest of Cancer. By H. W. S. Wright, m.s., f.r.c.s. Introduction by F. G. Crookshank, m.d.
“Eminently suitable for general reading. The problem is fairly and lucidly presented. One merit of Mr. Wright’s plan is that he tells people what, in his judgment, they can best do, here and now.”—From the Introduction.
The Passing of the Phantoms: a Study of Evolutionary Psychology and Morals. By C. J. Patten, Professor of Anatomy, Sheffield University. With 4 Plates.
“Readers of Daedalus, Icarus and Tantalus, will be grateful for an excellent presentation of yet another point of view.”—Yorkshire Post. “This bright and bracing little book.”—Literary Guide. “Interesting and original.”—Medical Times.
Perseus: of Dragons. By H. F. Scott Stokes. With 2 illustrations.
“A diverting little book, chock-full of ideas. Mr. Stokes’ dragon-lore is both quaint and various.”—Morning Post. “Very amusingly written, and a mine of curious knowledge for which the discerning reader will find many uses.”—Glasgow Herald.
Wireless Possibilities. By Professor A. M. Low. With 4 diagrams.
“As might be expected from an inventor who is always so fresh, he has many interesting things to say.”—Evening Standard. “The mantle of Blake has fallen upon the physicists. To them we look for visions, and we find them in this book.”—New Statesman.
Narcissus: an Anatomy of Clothes. By Gerald Heard. With 19 illustrations.
“A most suggestive book.”—Nation. “Irresistible. Reading it is like a switchback journey. Starting from prehistoric times we rocket down the ages.”—Daily News. “Interesting, provocative, and entertaining.”—Queen.
Thamyris, or Is there a Future for Poetry. By R. C. Trevelyan.
“Of high authority.”—Saturday Review. “Very suggestive.”—J. C. Squire, in Observer. “A very charming piece of work. I agree with all, or at any rate, almost all its conclusions.”—J. St. Loe Strachey, in Spectator.
Proteus, or the Future of Intelligence. By Vernon Lee, author of “Satan the Waster,” etc.
“We should like to follow the author’s suggestions as to the effect of intelligence on the future of Ethics, Aesthetics, and Manners. Her book is profoundly stimulating and should be read by everyone.”—Outlook. “A concise, suggestive piece of work.”—Saturday Review.
Paris, or the Future of War. By Captain B. H. Liddell Hart.
“A gem of close thinking and deduction.”—Observer. “A noteworthy contribution to a problem of concern to every citizen in this country.”—Daily Chronicle. “There is some lively thinking about the future of war in Paris, just added to the set of live-wire pamphlets on big subjects, called collectively ‘To-Day and To-Morrow.’”—Manchester Guardian.
Hephaestus, the Soul of the Machine. By E. E. Fournier d’Albe, D.Sc.
Hephaestus is the god of fire, the incarnation of the machine age of to-day. He is now master of the world. How this came about, what will be the results of this increasing domination of our planet, is the theme of the book.
Thrasymachus, the Future of Morals. By C. E. M. Joad, author of “Common-Sense Ethics,” etc.
A penetrating study of the herd, or conventional, morality of the day, prophesying a Puritan revival in morals, with intolerance and heresy-hunting. This will lead to the Americanization of England and a great increase in irregular sexual relationships. In the end a new religious revival is foreseen.
Lycurgus, or the Future of Law. By E. S. P. Haynes, author of “Concerning Solicitors,” etc.
An analysis of the present condition of Law in England, dealing with legislation, the law-courts, criminal law, family law, land-laws, costs, international law, individual liberty, and such subjects.
Prometheus, or Biology and the Advancement of Man. By H. S. Jennings, Professor of Zoology, Johns Hopkins University.
A lucid summary of the recent striking advances in biological knowledge, genetics, and the theory of evolution, with numerous concrete illustrations. The conclusions are applied to the problem of improvement in the human race.
Timotheus, the Future of the Theatre. By Bonamy Dobrée, author of “Restoration Drama,” etc.
Traces the possible developments of the theatre, not only along mechanical lines, but upon those which playwrights, actors, and psychologists might achieve, were their idiosyncracies given scope. The whole forms a comment on the theatre of to-day.
Pygmalion, or the Doctor of the Future. By R. Mcnair Wilson, M.D.
The author foresees an evolution in the personality of the doctor, who will become less of a scientist, more of a humanist, and use every spiritual agency, as well as every practical measure, to restore the human body and soul to health.
READY SHORTLY
Cassandra, or the Future of the British Empire. By F. C. S. Schiller, D.Sc.
A penetrating analysis of the disruptive influences of work in the Empire.
Gallio, or the Tyranny of Science. By J. W. N. Sullivan, author of “A History of Mathematics.”
Euterpe, or the Future of Art. By Lionel R. McColvin, author of “The Theory of Book-Selection.”
Shows how economic factors influence artistic production and affect artistic methods.
Artifex, or the Future of Craftsmanship. By John Gloag, author of “Time, Taste, and Furniture.”
Indicates how the machine may be used to extend the glory of craftsmanship.
Pegasus, or Problems of Transport. By Colonel J. F. C. Fuller, author of “The Reformation of War,” etc.
An account of “cross-country” vehicles, which will achieve a revolution as great as that caused by the railway.
Atlantis, or the United States and the Future. By Colonel J. F. C. Fuller.
A witty and penetrating analysis of the American spirit.
Midas, or the Future of the United States. By C. H. Bretherton, author of “The Real Ireland,” etc.
A companion volume to Atlantis, written from a different viewpoint.
Nuncius, the Future of Advertising. By Gilbert Russell.
The Future of the English Language. By Basil de Selincourt.
TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES:
Obvious typographical errors have been corrected.
Inconsistencies in hyphenation have been standardized.
Archaic or variant spelling has been retained.
The cover image for this eBook was created by the transcriber and is entered into the public domain.