Publisher's Synopsis
The idea of this book would be a story on its own. We will not do it. Any reader whose epidermis is not too thick will be able to understand what the conception is worth, and how extraordinary it is that it has escaped, for six thousand years, to all people of moralistic letters and satyric poets. Especially nowadays, where naked titles are disputed as imprescriptible properties, such a label was priceless. M *** would have asked two hundred thousand francs in damages if we had taken that one in his shop. From a more serious point of view the nineteenth century could not happen without such a book being made. The attempt will be appreciated. Thanks to the author's efforts, nothing will now prevent governments from establishing a chair of know-how alongside chairs of theology and political economy. The need has been felt for a long time. We recommend the idea; it is practical, it is democratic. One could also give this teaching a scientific gloss: it would be called a course in biology, sociology, social positivism, social science. What the devil mean all these gentlemen with these words, if they do not have in mind, ultimately, the idea that is deduced here, naturally and in good French, at least the author assumes? Why, as they say, so much about the pot? Gentlemen of the Academy, of grace, we conjure you, add to the section of the moral sciences the science of know-how. Why hold this branch indefinitely under a bushel?