New-York tribune., 1900-12-11
VALUE OF PLATONISM.
THE ETHICAL SIDE OF LIFE TREATED BY
PROFESSOR GRIGGs IN HIS LECTURE.

Not even the hurry OF Christmas preparation
could keep away the members OF the Ethical Cult
ure Society from Professor Edward Howard
Griggs's lecture on Plato, and the meeting yester
day morning in the Tuxedo Fifty-ninth-st. and
Fourth-ave., was as large and attentive usual.
The Critic and "Phaedo" the topics dis
cussed by the lecturer. who began by asking why
Socrates did not take the advice Of his friends
twho offered many excellent arguments in favor
and escape In Socrates's answer 10 their urgent
entreaties. the lecturer emphasized his high con-
ception Of the citizens duty regard TO established
Institutions and the relation of individual the
laws. 1T is safe assume that, generally the
institution is for the well being OF the community.
IL is above the nne-tenths. and consequently pro-
tects them, and therefore should be respected al
though IL be below the other tenth and work in
justice 10 them" said Professor Griggs. The an
OF Socrates 20 his friends showed that he felt
that he would fail in his duty TO them, to himself
and 10 the State by evading the law. And We feel
that he did well in not escaping; yet not because
OF his argument. but Of something different, some
thing higher. He himself gave his strongest rea-
son. not as an argument but as a spiritual IN
death. He said There is voice humming in
my ears, and II Is better that should follow the
lntlmauoh OI me Will OF Cod IN Ile LlsIesI @ out @
look upon life's problems we know more than can
This Is a dangerous doctrine for the masses II
Is the doctrine OF intellectual laziness-ol th9se
mysticism is Of this nature, But there IS anothe
attitude Of mind. when, after all possible thlnEis
discerned yet cannot be fused into one lucid argq-
rnent one may finally in the reaction OF his whole
nature. know what IS right and best In complex
-ituation These two mental attitudes must never
be confused.
..Plaio's arguments for Immortality real'- prove
weakness OF the ancient confusion OF words and
things. We know now that speculative reasoning
never proves anything, Yet he does convince
ibat tbe only real life Is hdeity to deals-an un-
questioning faith in the realities Of the higher
ethical life That Is the value OF true PlatOnism,
the Platonsm that inspired Emerson and gave
Wordsworth his deepest thoughts.
4Ia afFgfS Ia
flv The occasion defining real ana false courage
physical courage may be- the result OF a lower
development OF sensiuveness. The highest courage
n that in which the eXQuisitey sensitive body Is
compelled 20 do what the spirit bids When you
stand before the enigma OF Death. have reached
The supreme test Of moral herOism In Is an
enigma that all religions and PHILOSOPHERS have
tried explain. but IA remains unsolved to-day as
in Plato's day. One must dare 20 trust the unseen
because Of the absolute trustWOrt Illness Of the
seen universe. The high tide ~ life Is reached
wien sIf is centred In things eternal that he
does not ihink ask OF eteTnit. It not the
part Of us that questions the i,nknowahle To de-
mani crft.irty is Cft,L the iLacatis 81 small
nl TIase Who 'are 80 li-eesptthout ii.g
f..s -Ts fl who r@filr Do
The lecture WI se oA tAe iseSabIis