New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-12-29
SCIENCE AND SENTIMENT.


fypoM AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUHkl
posroN. Dec. 2S.-Presdent Noah Porter OF Yale
College delivered address on Science and Sentl-
penr before the Massachusetts Teachers Associa-
tion In this city to-day. The first part of the address
vas a statement of the popular idea of the opposi-
zion of science and sentiment The speaker then
argued that there in reality close union De-
tween them, asserting that the handspring of all
science is sentiment and that the regulator of seni-
ment Is science. He said:
Sentiment prompts 10 the relief Of street beggars
science has established that giving in this does more
harm than good. Sentiment would give prompt and
generous aid TO all who in distress, especially II nho
cent Of crime science protests against indscnminate
charity, and establishes the almshonse system sent-
ent would impel parent to give what his child cries
for science him that this would spoil the child and
further when the comes OF age II Is better that
he be thrown largely his resources. Sentiment
hupels young people TO marry soon rs they feel
hiking each other regardless OF adaptation or peeun
sry means science steny forbds the bans of an early
or improvident marriage. as opposed to pubic well
fare. Sentiment demands free trade on the one
side because every desires TO buy In the cheapest
market and protection on the other, because home In
ausry should be encouraged science calls each feeling
sentimentalsm. Sentiment says that labor ana calta
should divide profits In exactly equal proportions science
contends such there would be scanty proh's
70 be divided that capital would vanish and labor would
equality of social condition science demonstrates that
equality of rights should be conceded but that equality
Of condition in respect TO wealth. influence, knoW-
edge, honor, culture, ts neither possio'e nor
desirable. Sentiment feels that women should No'ci
seienee replies that government is entirely piac-
tieal matter and does not concern itself WIN sehu-
rentaiues Of any kind, but simply with the wisest
to certain attainable ends In physiology,
science urges that all araloes point to the conclusion
that the soul exist with the body sentiment
asserts its longing after immortal life and It's IN
spoye adherence Of the extinction Of being Science
ana sentiment regard each other as natural and eternal
enemies but 1t would that this feeling must be I'M
natural and that the strife may he adjusted. Some
would adjust IL by armed neutrality or perpetual
contract of nonintcrerence. But such policy cannot
endure the heart cannot love what the head mas
demonstrated be My own opinion is that the
nuOn " science and sentiments natural ana legitimate
and that there occasion for any conflict between
them, for these reasons:
l. eeionee is the offspring of a sentiment Wonder ar
yests and holds the attention but curiosity follows ana
jmpes the SOUL Tyndal says TO look beneath what
The senses observe The thirst for knowledge becomes
~ imperous thirst for gold, and it is only as this
THIRST becomes supreme that science yields its most abund
sntrevards The fact that tins passion seems sngu
lar 70 lookerOn only illustrates its energy IL s ex
tmplihed in the enthusiastic inventor, the starving
scholar the laboTious analyst the microscopic observer
the patient encyclopaedia and the tireess explorer
like the Quarres of lovers only betOken that the eni
ment that moves is always ardent Science also
stimulated by the love Of power and the desire OF c0mnu
nicating knowledge, desire made up OF the gratihca-
ton sympathy and benevolent love. 1t rs real and
potent sentiment and gives efficient help TO the desire
70 acquire knowledge Whatever other forces impel to
scientific activity under the head of sentiment
Science cannot separate itself from Its driving force IL
40 neither becoming consistent for II 10 disown the
spring which swakens and impels its energies
e. As sentiment furnishes the motives OF science, IL
more or less distinctly shapes its ends These ends may
not always distinctly recognized but they ere noue
tbe less real and potent. They may I've entirely over
looked by the one sided devOee OF science and yet exert
their shaping influence. Political economy subjects all
private sentimentaties the public welfare represses
Individual sympathy and regulates our benevoence by
abraots and hard precepts 1t is only for the well
being of the myriads who make up the commonwealth
When political wisdom would guard the rights Of caP
ta it s only that the laborer be prompted to save
capital for himself at least may be assured constant
and abundant wages. We do contend that science al
waye recognizes these ends proposes the wisest means
70 attain them, but that is the ultimate analyses every
end which proposed by any OF the applied sciences is
constituted and defined 10y sentiment
g. Though the sentiments the motives and ends Of
all activities even those OF science itself yet they need
g. be judged regulated by science The feelings are
simply mpusivs and blind; the intellect only has eyes
70 discern and direct Hence the intellect asserts
GF,
troll Feeling uncontrolled by the intellect becomes
passion; when partially controlled and asserting the
right 90 direct it becomes senmentalism aud plays the
mischief with private and public economies and "norces
ali OF partial and sided theories with eXclted
feryor and eloquent haranges But feeling directed by
knowledge and Judgment is practical wisdom, common
sense sagacous insight, and scientific genius But In
directing and ruling the feelings the intellect does not
repress them. 1t is neither usurpcr nor assaian OF
sentiment feeling as such IL neither denies tDe oIcc
he a
but sentiment moves the world OF spirit whether tis
true the world " matter do not as yet decide
A. Science should often recognize the existence OF
sentiment important element and datum oi I:oof
II science originates in sentiment mIe!ling force
and terminates in the qualification OF sentiment rs us
aim and it, when II controls or regulates SENTIMENT IL
always one to displaee another then science 10
bound not 10 overlook sentiment evidence of truth
The doctrines OF public economy that favor INDIVIDUAL
ownership degree OF cooperation N eaptal, ee1cla
education the alienation of excessive drudgery ocea
sioDa relaxation. the refinement OF tastes all Drng WIN
them strong Recommendation IN uclf FAVOR Oh stVuy
scientific grounds. The evidence III thelf support II
THIS An the arrangements OF nature contemplate
the qualification OF the better sentiments OF man All
social and political organizations exist Tor thls Us
their end. Whatever makes one man happier or
better should be consistent with tue common E9ou
But this princp pal does not look 20 the CONCLUSION
shonld Se sanccned that society should npod the
community with calls itself money that II should
undertake 70 the money market every time lt II
tight OF furnish employment when there Is no natural
sa for tis that species OF labor But d0ee author
ge IA 20 believe that any political system which cannot IN
the long be compatible with the |eheing OF great
mass OF virtuous community is scientifically unsound
IL this true institutions and social nseneDts,
II also true OF theory Of life. Whatever theory OF living
shocks Che modesty OF nature or gives rein On stimulus
Ifutes whatever tends 10 degrade and debaso; what
ever ministers 10 bad neighborhOOd between men and
communities II for these reasons hed 10 he false Oh
purely scientific grounds Science finds IN man the de-
sire FOR immortality, which IL living and iDcxtingeh
able force This desire is constant aud eNcr-rtc cur
Tng faet-a force of terrific energy We estimate II by
ite power Of work II may not he legitimate "a
reason We wiling TO cease TO exist therefore we
stall exist hut IL is perfectly sound 10 conclude that Ma.
ture must put lie al her anuOgios aud indications
she has provided fact that answers to hopes IKE
these The Keeling OF worship or reverence tho ini-
Js another iact which science ought never 10 over
look II would take note Of all tho forces OF t3 actual