The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-09-07
LATEST BERKELEY ITEMS,
David Starr Jordan Treats
Scientifically of AItruism
and Modern AItruriaS.
DR.. Royce Delivers His Final Philo-
sophical Lecture-Notes of the
Athletes.


sophical Lecture-Notes Of the
Athletes.
BERKELEY, CAL, Sept. 6.-Two men
of marked distinction lectured to two
separate audiences tonight in the uuiver-
sity town, one of which was delivered by
President David Starr Jordan of Stanford
on "Altruism and Altruria," and the other
by DR.. Josiah Royce, professor of phil
osophy at Harvard, on "The Metaphysics
of the Individual Self-consciousness.
The lecture by DR.. Jordan was given to a
well-illed house at the Trinity Methodist
Church. The subject of "Altruismp was
handled by him, not from philosophical
standpoint, but from biological or scien-
tific point of view. He gave an extended
introduction, showing how the various or
ganisms of lower animals were more or less
dependent one upon another and how
the animals themselves might be brought
to higher level by the proper care and
culture of their natural qualities.
In speaking of the word ''altruism"
itself he said it was an expression of rela-
ton of ones self to other selves. When
we speak of being more altruistic than we
are we speak of that which is impossible,
for altruism is bred in the bone. Altruism
is often spoken of as a product of modern
civilization, but it is not so, for men have
from their very nature been in the true
sense altrustic since civilization began to
take definite form.
"An persons" said DIR. Jordan, "who do
not stand in the right relation to their fell
lows are sifted out, and hence the natural
tendency toward harmonious action on
the part of civilized and refined indi-
viduals. On the other hand, the certain
degeneration of animals and individuals
will result from an overcrowded condition
in their habits OF life. A creature
that is the recipient of substance
from another certainly tends toward
state of absolute degeneracy. Nine-tenths
of the charitable work done without proper
forethought results in the plishInent
of more evil than gooG. We can make
men better by works of charity, not by
giving them dollars and cents but by do
ing something that will be of direct ad-
vantage to them. The word "altruism" is
the name given by modern usage to place
to which men can retire, religion to
which those who help others pass I'M
consciously. True altruism must be in
ourselves. 1t must be in the hearts of
men,"
Allusions were made to the several col
onies in the United States that had taken
to themselves the name of "Altruria, "
among which was the one in Indiana
called New Harmony. DR.. Jordan pointed
out the many defects in their organiza-
ton, not through any incapability of
their founders. but by virtue of the
very fact that it is an absolute
impossibility for any organization
to run smoothly and make advancement
from all points of view which has not to it
single head or governing power. In
civilization or colony where every one has
voice and an equal share in the profits
of all that might result from their CO.
liberation there is bound to be see-saw
Government.
Final Lecture of DIR. Royce.
The last OF the series of three lectures to
the Philosophical Union of the university
by DR.. Josiah Royce, on points established
in his work on "The Religious Aspect OF
Philosophy" was delivered tonight at
Stiles Hall. The complete statement of
his subject was: The Metaphysics of Self
consciousness. with a Few Hints as
to the Possibility of Immortality"
The lecture was practically summary
of the two other papers read before the
union, the last, however having been from
a psychological view of self-consciousness
while the one this evening was from
metaphysical view. His theme rested
mainly on the question of the real nature
of the individual as a factor or part of
the world anu the relations between
the individuat and God AT the close of
his remarks questions were asked by
number of the audience on points bearing
mainly on the possibility of immortality,
and about two hours time was consumed
in this discussion, it being nearly IL
o'clock before the session adjourned. .
Among those who took the opportunity
of asking questions of DIR. Royce were: M.
T.. Blanchard, u. c. '84; Charles Keller
1913, Arthur Lovejoy, '95; Instructor e. B.
McGilvary Miss Stevens and Messrs. Ellis
and Stevens. At the conclusion of the dis
cussion Professor Howison stated that he
believed great many things in common
with Professor Royce, but that he differed
fundamentally with him in his conception
of human finitude. While DR.. Royce's
system seemed to follow the lines of
Spinoza, his rather partook ola Liebnit-
Zian nature.
Notes From the Athletic Field.
A number of amateur athletes from the
Oakland High School held handicap
mile race on the university cinder- path
this afternoon. The event was won by
Russ in min Z sec.
Captain Fred Koch of the q. G. athletic
team is training several men in weight
throwing, among whom are Carver $50,
Neuman '99 and Griseberg '97. They
are all putting the 16-pound shot over
80 feet Torrey, the hurdler, is doing
light work on the track, and Chick
puts on his spikes nearly every afternoon
for a short sprint. Koch put the shot
thirty-eight feet this afternoon with his
citizens clothes on. Aside from the men
mentioned there are but few who are doing
anything on the track, and those few are
working for exercise rather than against
time.
Nothing seems to have been done in foot
ball this week aside from little work at
kicking and running with the ball on Mon
day. The men are apparently waiting for
the field to be put into condition.
The regular annual meeting of the men,
bers of the University Boating Association
will be held tomorrow afternoon at
o'clock at the clubs quarters in Sessions
Basin, on the Oakland estuary. 1t is ex-
pected that the clubs racing boats will
be fully equipped and ready for use within
a few DAVIS