Man faces a world of complex social problems. As a result he is perplexed beyond description, his thinking often ends in confusion. Democratic adjustments of problem calls for democratic thinking which in turn means that the rank and file of group membership must think clearly about the nature and solution to social problems. In thinking about the myriad of problems the world is faced with, the so called practical person has proceeded in his own way. He has had personal experience, which to him has been sufficient. Often he has been motivated by a sense of injustice and stung into fervid thought by circumstances which he judged to be unfair. As a result, he has concocted a makeshift remedy or impulsively accepted a ready made program. Perhaps he has believed in a single cause for this ill and in consequence has prescribed a single remedy for it. Usually he has been very limited in his observations, hence narrow and intolerant in his conclusions. Either he has been entirely non-plussed or else he has felt cocksure. The practicalist is often a poor leader. He may be even the most “dangerous type�. He has scoffed at genuine reason so long as he believes it has fallen into his pit of unsound reason. Due to his arrogance, civilization has floundered and social problems have piled up, mountain high. People are prone to offer solutions for social problems without first equipping themselves with a knowledge of its processes and antecedents. Only by accident however can current social problems be understood, unless the historical sequences of cause and effect are understood. A current maladjustment is usually indicative of a long line of antecedent factors. While taking strong action may be greatly needed, yet an action that does not emerge from thorough scrutiny is dangerous. An action that springs from irritated convictions is as likely to do harm, as it is to do good. A knowledge of the history of past experiences and of strong social thought which grows out of this experience is basic to wise social action. Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. Smith30045@yahoo.com Credit for the above article goes to Page Smith, Carl Roger and other social scientists living or long dead who have greatly in one way or the other influenced my social conscience.
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