The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-02-09
THE BASIS or MORALS.
A Criticism of Mr.. Goodwin SMITHS He'
emily EXPRESSED Views on Immortallty.

NNHtNt
To THE EDITOR or THE suS-Sir: Goodwin
Smith, in your issue of Jan. 20. introduces
quite a variety OF new questions connected
with the idea of immortality. Leaving the
main track. like an aged warrior, with ue-
fectlve memory and broken limbs. he wan
ders over the battlehelds OF science ana
ethics. philosophy and religion, with a pleas
mt garrulity and a charming discursiVehess'
Not that he Is past the stag where he can oe-
liver. on occasion, a we'll planted blow below
the belt. For sec how innocently he tells us
that the effects of the present moral doubts
and distractions meet US everywhere. not
least in the attacks Of powerful nations on
the independence OF the weak! MT Smith
must know the fallacy In such n wild decuc-
ton. That the present moral doubts are
abnormal is a pure assumption; that the!
have any immediate connection with inc
wars now going on Is equally improved
Per contra, Is II any proof of the prevalence OF
moral doubt that men are strenuously en-
deayorinc TO establish n surer basis for moral
ity than any that has yet existedS Is II not
rather proof that the moral sense OF mankind
is becoming keener? Are we 20 understand
that when Assyria and Persia. Greece ana
Carthage, Rome and spain we're building up
great empires. when Cortez and P.zarro
did their bloody work on this continent,
when France and Spain and England con-
OucIfu ~ Last NV ~ h'1'''f
great moral doubt because powerful nations
were conquering weak ones? The absurd
generalization reduces all nges to ages OF
moral doubt.
MIR. Smith thinks "necessarianism IL at
bottom,merely q mental puzzle" which may
perplex our conceptions. but does not affect
our actions. May we not say the same oil all
moral or religious n%otionsl is II not true
that. though In the practical affairs OF life
n-o, 1anaraiv do diEraUnrd all the fnTtOra
Of heredity and education that have helped
to form their character. and act upon the
plnin and palpable teachings Of current ethics.
which are finally founded upon the experience
OF mankind and are almost impercept-
IDLY acquired by each individual. yet that
those things have really been the determining
factors in their whole life and conduct?
The rock on which Goodwin Smiths philoso-
ply splits. like that OF many other moralists.
Is that necessarianism or determinism abol-
ishes moral responsibility. Allowing that
actions are predetermined by a mans char
acter and circumstances. that II may he said
that he is little more than an automaton, IN IL
moment one of the most potent factors In
determining his actions? And as his actions
are the result 9f bis dia sn osis Of his environ
ment itself the outcome OF his character
and surroundingsl. 10 can be easily seen that
mems actions will be. so varied under appa-
OF free choice may easily be produced. But
IL II not also clear that, II there Is responsi-
bllitv In any degree, IL must 10 that extent
act ne a restraining and determining influence.
and TO an equal extent, abolish free. viii?
Perfect free will could only bc exercised by a
mind untrammelled by law and all other
considerations
Mr. Smith objects 20 the present tendency
TO treat the community on the principle that
discussion Of this question, however. seems
TO me to he open to this primary objection
that az present. not the tendency so much az
the actual practice Is TO treat NE nature OF
why governments do not step in and reru-
late the breeding Of men, when they see so
much success attained In the breeding 81
cattle and sheep, Is simply that the PEOPLE
and liberties TO be experimental with in the
way any such scheme would necessitatc.
For II must not he forgotten that. In the case
Of both plants and animals, a vast number
To a very large extent the processes are eK-
perimental; and In the case OF man especially
some OF the factors are very obscure. In
stead OF hanging criminals. II might be qtes-
moro beneficial to society 20 breed from them:
for that children are educated rather than
born into criminality seems fairy certain.
That some measures should be taken. how
ever. to prevent the propagation 81 families
with hereditary taints Of disease u but n
matter OF common prudence,
Would II not be as well 10 let the disCor.
cries that tend to push their victories too inr
meet their inevitable fate without ~pretestI
Let Marconi OF Tesla telegraph TO the moon
or Mars II they wish. Their success VII not
hurt us. And " evolution be true. can Goid-
win, smith tell us how far IL may be saieiy
pushed7
extracting a little nectar from the weeds OF
metaphysics: but, as usual. the pot 81 honey
he gives vs. has . ny In IT, tndeuoeeoay