The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-02-18
The Philosophy of Monism

In the domain of science Germany has no more iIlustrious name than that of Ernst HaeckeL The aged phil osopher who has sought to fouad al new religion without God, and who disrnisses immortality as a vain Hope, was born at Potsdam eigbty-two years ago, Feb. 16, 1894, and his eightieth birthday was celebrated by his disci- pies in many lands two years ago to- day. The octogenarian zoologist and pioneer of Monism resigned his pro fessorship at Jena his seventy-fifth birthday, and has since devoted all his time to writing on phi1osophic topics and propagating his new religion of reaSon.''
 Prof HaeckeI has. never had any interest in military affairs, and in former years conbatted the building up of great armanents. At Jena he was passionately admired by the "in- telIectua1s," and as cordially hated by the students who looked upon war as a path to glory for Germany. His, steadfast opposition to duelling and drinking bouts added to his unpopu- 1arity among the students of nlilitar- istic trend
 Years ago Prof. Heecke1 declared that the English were undoubtedly gifted beyond any other nation with the genius for founding and governing colonies,'' and called upon his coun- tryrnen to study and emulate ''the po- liticaI skill which brings progress and benefit to the whole human race.' The philosopher no longer entertains such friendly sentiments toward the British government, although he still confesses to a ttgreat admiration" for the English leaders of thought, and "deep obligations to his many per- sonaI friends among 'fthe enemy War insists the champion of Monism, 'fhas reduced to absurdity the doctrines of providence and pre- destination. In view of the deaths of such masses of people and in view of the fact that daily thousands die in battle, in hospitals and prisons, the l illusion that the destinies of men are | in the care of an omnipotent intelli- gence with carefully arranged plans is an idea which cannot be entertain | ed for a. moment"
 | It is in science, the Monistic ''re1i- zion of reasOn,'' he holds, that hu- | manity can find it's only real comfort. 1 Recognition of the eternity and inde-
 structibiIity of the cosmos and of the | courses of nature, in which the in
 dividuaI unceasingly appears and dis I appears, brings with it contentment | and peace of mind far more satisfying he declares, than the false comfort l of what he calls ''the prevailing su- | perstitions.'' In Monism he has
 found ''an inexhaustible treasure
 house of most noble enjoyment"
 To the Monist the universe is eter-
 nal, plan1ess, and purposeless, every
 part, from atom to planet, governed by infinite necessity, beyond the pos-
 sibiIity of miracle. chance, or acci- dent The Enonist believes in the
 unity of substance, and holds that all l phenomena can be traced back to one agent In the monistic concep- ton of the universe there is no room for God, nor necessity for a First Cause, for matter and energy, though | forms change and manifestations
 vary must ever remain the same in
 sum. seIf-existent and eternal, without
 creation or annihi1ation. To place
 God back of Nature, in Haeckers
 view is only to explain one mystery
 by another.