THE aims of all science are two: first, to understand the nature of man and of the universe in which mankind live; secondly, to obtain through this understanding conscious control over his surroundings. The first aim, to learn the truth about all things, is really the primary object of scientific study; but perhaps the stronger motive behind the vast modern development of scientific research is the realization that only as man understands himself and his surroundings can he hope to master and control them. Today, most of mankind's effort to discover the real nature of things is directed along the lines of natural science. Physical and biological science have never attracted more widespread interest than they do now, and the picture of man and his place in the universe which these systems present is being very persistently and prominently held before human thought.
Christian Science also has two aims in view, namely, to understand the nature of God, man, and the universe, and to give mankind dominion over its surroundings. Christian Science is therefore rightly called Science, although the methods by which it teaches mankind the true nature of man and the universe are so different from the customary methods of what is termed natural science that most of those educated along materialistic lines do not yet recognize that it is Science. Nevertheless, Christian Science alone can teach mankind the real nature of man and the universe; and ultimately, when thoroughly understood, it will enable mankind to demonstrate the truth of man's unlimited dominion over the entire universe. Even at the present time, although mankind's understanding of Christian Science is limited, much has been learned of man's real nature and of his relation to God, divine Principle; and the demonstration of this understanding has already given us some measure of dominion over material conditions and circumstances, including sin and disease.
Christian Science also uncovers the errors inherent in material systems of thought, showing mankind how to avoid these errors; and it may be desirable to examine the natural sciences, so called, in the light of Christian Science, in order to find out where human thought, in the present tendency to seek understanding and dominion along the lines of natural science, is deceived, and why search must end in disappointment to those proceeding along those lines.
