The New York herald., 1878-11-18
STANDARD HALL.
LECTURE BY PROFESSOR ADLER ON THE con-
DIfCT OF IIFF

LECTURE by PROFESSOR ADLER ON THE con-
DUCT OF LIFE.
Under the general head Of the Conduct Of Iife."
said Professor Adler, propose to-day to discuss
the utilaran theory of ethics The tendency of the
modern age is toward equality both in the Church
and in the State. The term republican religion"
would express, perhaps. apuy any other. what
We desire. But equality is often misunderstood;
where much in America The genuine de-
mocracy seeks to level all fictitious distinctions such
as founded accident. pretence and fraud. but
only with view OF bringing the real distinc-
tons into fuller and prominent relief;
those. namely, which founded intellec-
tual merit and moral excellence. The lcvclling
of distinctions unfortunately must lead to barbar
ism and national downfall In the intellectual
sphere notice the surly preference for medi-
ocrity-the man who believes himself fully the
equal of his neighbor will claim to utter opinions
the highest problems. If easy explanation for
diffcult question is offered it is received with ap-
plause and speedily becomes popular. 1t is proper
to distrust easy explanations OF difficult problems
The ntiitarian theory owes large share of its popu
larity to its seeming simplicity it is not more ac-
ceptabe to us on that account Utilitariansm makes
pleasure the standard of virtue, but there
variety of pleasures, and how shall we
the pleasures of the table with unseemly
eagerness; Others forget the restraints OF home
again, grow hardhearted and cold IN the cold amos
phere OF thought.
THE CHOICE OF pLEAsuREs
On what plea can condemn them !? John Stuart
Mill says, ut is better to be a human being dis
satisfied than pig or fool satisfied and II the pig
and the fool OF the contrary opinion it s because
they only know their side of the question" SO it is
maintained that choice between pleasures is neces-
sary, but an adequate reason Is not given. Mr.. Mill
says, "The majority of competent judges decide i'll
favor of the higher pleasures, but the opinion
of the majority is of no Importance in a mat
ter which personal eniDymeut'
and what, moreover. can "higher and "lower' mean
IN this connection. except more pleasure giving
and less pleasure giving? But matter of fact it is
not true that the higher life is always the more
pleasurabe. The way of knowledge is hard the art
ist passes through fearful struggles think only of
Michael Angclo and the most virtuous man. on his
part, is often most unhappy. But If it could be
on the side of the higher life the us may ask
why should choose the higher in preference to tho
lower? | will be modest; l will allow you to take
the greater pleasures such as wasting your life in
study. denying yourself every comfort and going to
prison for your principles, while I-see how humble
am-wl content myself with the lesser goods, such
living in fine houses III driving costly equpages
and feastng without end and will also rob little
and murder little for these are still lesser pleasures
merely to show how modest am" Do you not see
that the pleasure theory takes away the word ought
out of the language That if it be adopted there is
only imprudence and lack of perception the part
of those we are wont to call sinners?
ORIGIN OF VIRTUE.
Professor Adler then went to argue that utli-
tarianism fails to explain the origin of virtue since
the true policy OF the strong would be not to de-
velop but to root out conscience and to gag the in
ward monitor instead of respecting him. Further
that utilitariansm fails to the deepest
facts of moral experience fails to account for the
culpabilty of secret sins and for the glory
and enthusiasm which accompany actions OF
great selt.sacrihce He separated between
Mill himself. deserving of the most profound ad
miration. He concluded by describing the word
utility" the label Of the theory unfortunate
and dangerous. The people at large would draw from
it only an additional warrant for selfshness that
selfshness is the Satanic power against which all
ligons must combine to contend. In conclusion
Professor Adler called attention to the fact that
eral prominent preachers in the Christian pulpit
tably had recently spoken in great
behalf of deed as superior to creed With fervent
tribute to these fellow workers in the cause,
whatever might be- their doctrines and beliefs, the
lecture closed.