Autobiography of Andrew Carnegie/Chapter IX: Bridge-Building
Andrew Carnegie
Carnegie's embrace of evolutionary theory marked a decisive shift from traditional religious views to a belief in progress through natural selection. In an era when the supernatural explanations still dominated, he found solace in the idea of perpetual human advancement. This belief fueled his philanthropic endeavors, as he saw the possibility of society consistently reaching higher states of development. The motto "All is well since all grows better" reflects his optimism, not just about society's trajectory, but about what could be achieved if resources were used wisely.