Principles of western civilisation

x THE MODERN WORLD-CONFLICT 375

ginning to express itself through the social consciousness in relation to the economic situation. That consciousness as the modern world-conflict impinges on it is evidently, under this influence, becoming profoundly moved with a sense of responsibility to an ideal of social justice which transcends the content of the consciousness of the State. How the sense of self-stultification so clearly indicated in Professor Sidgwick’s statement, as involved in the modern social problem, has begun to painfully haunt the individual, there are accumulating signs on all hands. Whether we agree with the conclusions to which many current writers desire to carry us or not, we have in sight, as will be seen, clearly defined, the nature of the tremendous force which continues to be represented in the antinomy which is developed in Western history. We see in it a cause intensely active, permanent, inherent, and fundamental; and unmistakably operating to prevent the absolutisms inherent in the economic situation from shutting down on us in the present.

No one who has grasped the real nature of the organic movement that has come down through our civilisation will be likely to underrate the significance of the general position which is here defining itself. There is indicated in it, as we shall see more fully in the next chapter, the lines along which the great antinomy in Western history will continue to develop. But to realise its import in the intensification of modern conditions it is necessary to have in mind some idea of the nature of the milieu in the historical process in which it has begun to operate.