Dr. E. F. Schumacher: Author of the Book Small is Beautiful

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We are justifiably proud of what we call "know-how". We "know" a great deal about "how" things work. We have devised very effective sciences and technologies. And, within their proper limits, every science and all our technology can be beneficial. But these things become evil and destructive when they are allowed to transgress their proper boundaries.

Our sciences and technologies are valuable tools. They can be used to explore and measure and probe the physical world. We are proud that they give us what we call "hard facts" . . . facts we can observe and rub between our fingers and be sure of.

But by themselves, facts mean nothing, prove nothing, and lead to no conclusions. Facts need to be evaluated—that is to say, fitted into a value system—to be of use.

There are some questions—metaphysical questions—which science cannot answer. Science can tell us how we got here-it can explain evolution and survival of the fittest—but it cannot tell us why we are here. Science can tell us how to do almost anything—grow two grains where one grew before or build a nuclear reactor—but it cannot tell us the ultimate purpose of such an act.

Science cannot produce ideas by which we can live. Even the greatest concepts of science are nothing but working hypotheses which are useful for purposes of research but entirely inapplicable to the conduct of our lives or the interpretation of the world. Science can tell us nothing about the meaning of life.

PLOWBOY: We are, as the American Indian has said about the white man, "smart, but not wise". But how do we develop wisdom?

SCHUMACHER: As I learned in Burma, wisdom can only be found inside. One has first to liberate oneself from such masters as greed and envy. Then, in the stillness which follows, are found the insights of wisdom which are obtainable in no other way.

These insights enable us to see the hollowness of a life which neglects the spiritual to pursue only the material. Man must live on both planes and it is folly to try to meet his need for the limitless freedom of the spiritual realm with the finite resources of the material. Man assuredly needs to overcome—to rise above—this world. But he must do it by moving toward saintliness . . . not by building up a monster economy or landing on the moon.

PLOWBOY: I'm afraid it's no longer very fashionable to talk about striving toward saintliness or exploring the spiritual aspects of life.

SCHUMACHER: No, it's not. The prevailing mood of modern society is set by what I call "the people of the forward stampede". And, like the devil, they have all the catchy tunes.

"We cannot stand still," they say. "Standing still means going down. There is nothing wrong with modern technology except that it is not yet complete. We must go forward. Ever further. Ever faster. There is no alternative.

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