Biotechnics : the practice of synthesis in the work of Patrick Geddes

and regulated, and private profit must be subordinated to the new communitary uses, ‘And eschew the despotic habit of regimentation! Whether by Governments, Trusts, Companies, Tyrants, pedants or police; try the better and older way of co-ordination expanding from local centres through city, region, nation and beyond; so may the spirit of fellowship express itself, instead of being sterilised by fear, crushed by administrative machinery or perverted by depression. Again and again resist the political temptation to centralise all things in one metropolitan city; seek to renew the ancient tradition of Federation between free cities, regions, dominions. ‘Encourage the linkages of labour and professional associations across international frontiers; it is these that can quicken the unity of Western civilisation and bring forth its fruits of concord. Further, let our imperial bureaucrats cease from their superior habit of instructing the Orientals and try and learn from them.’ Let the following passage provide our conclusion. ‘Summing up: Aim at making individuals more socialised and commodities more individualised. To that end, let schools subordinate books to out-door observation and handicrafts; let teachers draw the matter and the method of education from the life and tradition of their pupils’ own region, as well as from the history and culture of mankind at large. Let universities seek first for synthesis in the civic life around them; and only thereafter in the pages of philosophy. Above all, let governing bodies learn, if not from the Churches, at least from the psycholgical and social sciences, the distinction between temporal and spiritual powers, and cease to play the double role of Pope and Caesar.’

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