The causes are many and complex as to why all this has happened. It is even more difficult to predict as to where all this is leading the world to. But there is no doubt that the law of cause and effect (karma thatwa) operates with the same ubiquity as the law of gravity. Nothing can escape it. Thus the wheel of cause and effect is forever revolving. The results of today are the fruits of the causes of tomorrow. Action begets reaction begets action - and so on endlessly. Only the Lord Himself can amend it. It is indeed impossible to analyze all the various causes of the past which are resulting in the happenings of today, and for the same reason to predict the happenings of tomorrow.
However, we can see that the basic tendency today of man is a search for attainment of joy and peace.
The variety of knowledge has smothered the searching endeavor of the intellect and this is hindering the conquest of man's internal foes. It is a dangerous pride, as it captivates man's most useful servant "the intellect" which, instead of being a tool in the hand of man, has become the master.
(Gems of Wisdom, Weaknesses of Mankind, pg 136)
