New-York tribune., 1909-10-13
4 Preliminary Sketch for a System
Of Ethics.

THE MORAL. ECONOMY. BY, Ralph Raj P,-s3l Barton N
Perry, Assistant Professor Il PHILOSOPHY n
Harvard University. Emo pp. xvi. 2Ss Charles
scrbners Sons
AS the preliminary sketch OF a system of ethics
Professor Perry's essays do not attempt the
shornughness Belonging 20 larger work. but
they succeed in making patent the authors
guiding principles well as his robust opinions
on the application Of ethical theory TO practical
rnstters. The moral appeal always so urgent
vet never impertinent. is. ne finds. bound up
with that clinging TO life which is the most deep
living u all interests and with that relish for life
IN which mfe's goodness needs no philosophers
approval Rare spirits, dwelling with Nietzsche,
charmed by the freedom and romance OF no
morality" are easily bored by the sembance Of
stupidity and dulness IN our subunary virtue:
nevertheless TO this reckoning Of reason must
they come. for being irrevOcably committed 10
the enterprise Of living. men can neglect its laws
only AZ absolute or ultimate peril. 1t is safe.
says the author. TO accept morality as one ac-
ccpss agriculture navigation. constitutional gov
ernment or any other tried solution of an un-
svoidable problem. and he recalls the axiom of
Bishop Butler: Things and actions are what
they are, and the consequences Of them will he
what they viii he. why. then. should we desire
10 be deceived"
The advance OF the moral demand is traced by
Professor Perry from its beginnings in pru-
dence, 10 preference or moral purpose, from
moral purpose to that recognition Of fraternity
q interests 10 which we give the name justice.
and ~-om justice 10 good win. the recognition Of
a universal system OF interests. In chapter on
the moral test OF progress the philosophy Of his
tory is defined as the application of ethical
analysis 70 the recorded life of man. OF TWO
general principles whose operation Is conducive
n progress one is external. the menace Of
nature. the necessity % struggle. which puts
premium on the better orran nization of life. The
internal principle of progress is nationality the
knowledge n the good and the correction Of ex-
listing usages through which the good is acct
dentaly or wautonly frustrated. Constructive
reform and social revolution are the result Of ap-
plying the principle of nationality. When lead
ership has failed 70 be statesmanlike until vari-
Gus human interests are denied room within the
existing organization an uprising follows. Thus
CHRISTIANITY. as a social revolution, was pro-
test against the existing order on the part of in
teresis j. did not recognize-interesrs that were
indeed tolerated protected and even given q
iegal status. but in the reckoning Of good and
eNil they were not counted. Saws the author:
Women and slaves. The poor. the fl-horn and the
n1s1i use or incidents of life which might test
~ charil1 ana naenarirnit7. These classes rose
eonc-rfor7 ~ re or s5e- ~ lr , ~ Whos s
was defined u exclude them. In paEanisr7. which
did not pass with the advent ~ Christianity but
sun ingers- as the creed q the very precious souls
humanity IS considered only Cualitzriveiv and NOT
gIsnilistively The good OF Jhe -ace Is conceived
70 consist N The perfection Il a few chosen for
their superior endowment and fortune The erni-
neIit refinement ano nobility OF these derniEods Is
distribution Of welfare and opporrunirs.
The service Of mankind the living for all
Gft 10 which The authors logic leads IS he
Wo-ld remind Us NOT al all open 10 the charge
q senIilrentaIity Partially for itself Is The
mark of life, and If life artai-s its noblest
reaches Only on terms Of good viii then d4yo-
ton 10 the service OF mankind is not olixotic
but enlinently rational
The relation 10 morality of culture and re-
Lglor Is considered IN TIE closing ESSAYS Az
both in the creation and in the enjovnlent Of il.
Is true 10 the deepest motive OF morality since
il is liberal and unwordly IN spirit. II does not.
however. provide in Itself any guarantee Of
proper control 50 that. in the interests Of good
ness on The whole. no man can surrender him
sell 10 II utterly Religion emphasizing the
unity of life and supplying II with meaning ana
dignity has for IT'S function the kindlng Of
moral enthusiasm in society al large and the
protecting of The prestige OF morality. In cult
ure and religion human life is brought Ia the
elevation which is proper TO H. But while
: culture IS essentially contemplative farseeing.
kFensIuVe and tolerant religion is more stirring
j. vital Both are love Of perfection. but cult
uTe rs admiration: religion. concern