Passages with Solved Precis Two opposite and at first sight conflicting merits belong to science as against literature and art. The one, which is not inherently necessary, but is certainly true at the present day, is hopefulness as to the useful work that may be accomplished by any intelligent student. This merit and the cheerful outlook which it engenders prevent what might otherwise be the depressing effect of another aspect of...

Passages with Solved Precis One of our great needs is some general system of thought of map of the intellectual world by which we may be helped to judge which of several principles should prevail when it is impossible to give full expression to all. Incidentally, it may be worthwhile to observe that our duty in this field is seldom to adopt one principle and see it through, Controversialists often demand...

Passages with Solved Precis People everywhere are deeply troubled by what seems like a fated and predetermined march towards even greater disaster. Many have come to feel that nothing can be done to avert the plunge towards ruin. They are mankind driven on by angry Gods, no longer master of its fate. I think this view is lazy and superstitious. The misfortunes of the human race, since, 1914, and those much...

Passages with Solved Precis Some Western writers, and some people in Russia too, argue that the best way to minimize the explosive quality of the present arms race is somehow to develop a stable balance of terror or deterrence. This means developing nuclear weapons and delivery systems so strong and so varied that no surprise attack could knock out the power to retaliate. I can see some force in this argument....

Passages with Solved Precis This great and inspiring language which is to play the most vital role in changing the present aggressive and militant outlook of the humanity, has an extremely bright and optimistic future. It is to be crowned as the “Language of humanity”. “The Voice of Human civilization” and the only Beacon, guiding the frustrated and dejected vessel of our civilization amid the peril full ocean of mass destruction,...

Passages with Solved Precis Who are really the happiest people? It is odd that we have no answer ready; for with most of us happiness is ‘our being’s end and aim’. We are sometimes in doubt whether our own balance is on the right side or the wrong. Looking back, I think I can separate the years when I was happy and those when I was unhappy. But perhaps at the...

Passages with Solved Precis The thief who neither knows nor admits that he is a thief seldom comes into court. And this is the most dangerous sort, because the market value of his stolen property cannot be economically assessed: he is the thief of his neighbour’s privacy, patience, time, energies, and of his very identity. How are such thefts licenced? By the general axiom that man, being a gregarious creature, enjoys...

Passages with Solved Precis It will be remarked that experience which was once claimed by the aged is now claimed exclusively by the young. There used to be a system of morals and metaphysics that was, specially known as the Experience Philosophy, but those who advanced it were grim rationalists and utilitarians who were already old in years, or more commonly old before their time. We all now know that experience...