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AN ESSAY ON HINDUISM

Secondly, India being a subjugated country has no separate political existence. It cannot therefore do much towards contributing to political morals.

Moreover, India being out-distanced by Europe in sciences, the day when the Indians will make their contribution to sciences is yet to come; still it will be admitted that the beginning has been made. European civilization has more to give to, than to receive from, the Indian civilization.

When I speak of the unification of civilization I do not mean that all the world will be entirely alike, for that condition would be evidently impossible, as the physical conditions of the various parts of the world vary greatly. Still by the contact of civilizations a great deal may be done to produce some common civilization. In the development of civilizations of localities and nations, whatever is wanting in one may be supplied by another. Less efficient methods and arts would disappear before those which are more efficient.

There is one factor of civilization which is capable of reaching unification earlier than the rest; and it is likely to influence all other factors. It is the knowledge and thought of the world. The primary dogma in this matter is that there can be no two contradictory orders of truth. To a great extent the stage has already come. Many sciences which are greatly cultivated by the Western world are freely accepted by the Oriental world. There can be no Oriental chemistry or physics different from the European chemistry, or physics which would hold contradictory opinions.

Still to-day there is a great deal of conflict in the ideas and beliefs of the various peoples. That conflict exists in