Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-02-14
THEETHICAL PASSION
Auspicious Opening Of the New
School Of Applied Ethics.
CLEAR AND STRONG UFHERANCES
Partnership of Science and Prac-
ticaI Usefulness.
ANOTHER LECTURE TODAY

AN IL I1LIG hLSI " hE IoDA1
The first winter session of the School of
Applied Ethics opened yesterday afternoon
with inaugural addresses by Prof w. 7.
Harris ard Prof. Felix Adler. The hall
Of Columbian University was filled with
| an audience that had only pleasure to ex-
press in speaking of the occasion at it's
close. Prof Samuel H. Greene, acting
president of the university, presided, and
on behalf of the university and the citizens
of Washington gave cordial welcome to
the school,
MIR. w. T. Harris, commissioner of edu-
cation, delivered, watch in hand, a brief
address upon the scope of ethics a prac-
teal science His utterances We're incisive,
searching and earnest. He said that the
criticism was commonly made abroad on
our tendencies here in America that we
were trying the experiment Of individual
ism too thoroughly. The individual seems
to be having his chance to the disadvan-
tage of institutions which were the safe
guard of society. Yet the whole fabric of
American society rested upon respect for
institutions. The individual was born into
an institutfon-the family, which was of
itself a unit in society. Over and above
the physical self was always the unseen
moral self of the individual which con-
nected him with institutiens-first the fam
lily, then the state and the church. To
these institutions ethical inquiry addressed
ITSELF and this was the scope which would
engage the attention of the School of
Ethics. 1t would deal with those fnstitu-
tons, which together make our civiliZa-
ton. The vicarious relation of the indi-
vidual, said the speaker, represented the
greatest, the deepest thought in the ra-
tonal construction of the universe. 1t was
that condition of man by which he became
related to all the men in society, by which
he gave up some part of himself for 9TH
ers and they gave some part OF themselves
for him. Thus in organization the human
| race became a unit officially. Mr.. Harris
expressed great satisfaction in the coming
of the School of Ethics, which had a great
work before it, and welcomed it heartily
on behalf Of the cause OF education.
Witty Welcome.
Rev. Alexander Mackay-Smith spoke
few words Of welcome for the clergymen
of the city, saying that he hoped Washing
ton would prove a pleasant place for those
interested in the School of Ethics. He had
beer assured that We We're equipped with
all the necessary microbes and bacilli to
give the spice Of doubt to the situation,
and it reminded him of the story he had
recently heard of a naval officer who en-
tertained a chieftain of the Cannibal
Islands once. The officer remarked to the
chief, Il had your brother at dinner yes
terday." "Ah,' said the chief, land did he
said he should hope that Washington would
taste sweet to the School of Ethics, not
withstanding the misgivings that might
arise from the situation In regard to ty-
phoid dangers. He was glad the school had
come to Washington for it would be help
and encoura cement to the clergymen, who
were ever conscious of their blunders and
shortcomings
Scope and Aim of the School.
| President Greene then introduced Prof.
I'D
| Ethics, who spoke at length. with the pre-
csion and force OF the practical scholar, on
the scope and aim of the School of Applied
Ethics. Dr. Adler is small man, whose
! broad high brow indicates a man of great
mental strength. His style CT speech is
mea sured, smooth, yet emphatic and earn
est THE cool head and the warm heart"
to use one of his own phrases, describes
him well. His thoughtful manner and inn
pressive reasoning carried the audience
with him to the end. He said the Sumner
School of Ethics had been opened in 1891 a
Plymouth because there were in the neigh
boring city of Boston many Of its friends,
and 1t was desirable to have the cool
breezes Of the sea to refresh those who
might attend and make the occasion en-
jcyable. Yet, above these considerations
was the historic benediction given by the
idea of Plymouth where the Puritans land
ed and the conscience of the nation began.
No less considerate was the choice OF
Washington for the winter sessions of the
school. Here in the capital of the nation
APART from the influences Of commercial
epgrossment and the pressure of wealth,
where achievement in affairs of state and
high official responsibility, honor and char
acter are regarded, seemed to be the fitting
place. The occasion seemed in every way
timely. The whole world was today in q
ferment of change. Universities and col
leges are undergoing changes. Great pop
ular institutions, like the ChautauQua and
university extension. are Springing up. Yet
the School of Ethics is not in the line of
the Chautauqua. 1t has no hope OF popu-
larizing its work Its ambition is to be-
come model as school of ethics, which
shall, If possible be adopted by every uni
versity in the land.
Sciences of Conduct.
The aim was to assemble all the sciences
of conduct into single institution, into a
new science-that of applied ethics.
The trend of the scholarship of the day
said Prof. Adler, is toward science The
natural sciences engage the attention of
our leading men in the universities and
colleges. Economics, jurisprudence, peda-
gogics, religion have all been studied with
the natural and scientific view of their re-
lations to human life. In this way ethics
has also been influenced by the scientific
tendency of the times. Phenomena have
engaged the attention OF the student of
ethics rather than the end and aim of the
science. Applied ethics would be 4 science
corrective of this tendency. In political
and social science just at this time this
was sthe need. Outbreaks were occurring
all over the world. and unless We We're to
depend on bayonets and machine guns we
must ascertain other means of prevention
or cure.
I'VE must put on our thinking caps"
said Prof. Adler land allay that Keen
sense of injustice that is mere operative
to produce discomfort than distress itself"
Here there was an enthusiastic outburst
Of applause.
CooI-Hcaded and Narm-Heartcd.
.yN,, halieye" said he 'in the warn, hoo ~
and cold head. Ethical passion and desire
II l,air r,,11St with ha cool Ga