A QUESTIONING OF REASON

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21420, 12 March 1935, Page 12

A QUESTIONING OF REASON

Faith And Authority Sought CHANGES IN MODERN WORLD "What is it that constitutes the new world?" was the question with which the Rev. A. C. Watson opened his address at a luncheon of the Business Men's Club yesterday. His subject was "Old Ideas in a New World." "The business man may sometimes feel that increased taxes, decreased profits, and government interference in business are the characteristics of the modern world." he said. "The introduction of machinery, with all its complicated effects, has been suggested with more seriousness, notably by H. G. Wells, as the dominating change. "Yet the novelty of the world today lies in something deeper than the introduction of machinery. The distinctive feature of modern life is the scientific spirit, the expression of man s mastery over nature." Results of Scientific Spirit This scientific spirit as expressed in the discoveries of the last 200 or 300 years, continued Mr Watson, had brought about four important results The first was the unification of the world: nations were thrown together whether they liked it or not. The second result was that now, for the first time there was potential plenty for all, of food, clothing, and luxury. Third, the benefits of human culture and art were also made universally «available. It might seem that Europe was more civilised in the middle ages during the centuries when great cathedrals were built and great paintings produced; yet these works of art were available only to the few, while today the press, the radio, and other developments had made art accessible to all. Finally, the growth of the scientific spirit and all that it implied had brought it about that there was no end to the possibilities of man's control of nature. Men had invented a method of invention and discovered a method of discovery: endless progress lay ahead, with all its cumulative effects. This age was a critical one, an age of enquiry, and students of the thought of the past could evaluate the effect of recent discoveries on the attitude today. Since the Renaissance when reason was made the guiding principle, and man, determined to stand on his own feet, had questioned all forms of authority, there had developed what had to-day become an attitude of thoroughgoing, rational criticism and enquiry, a questioning of the authority of state, church, and even of parents. An interrogation mark, as Max Beerbohm had said, symbolised the present age. A New Desire for Authority "But the time comes when men are dissatisfied with the interrogation mark, and when the rebellion against authority ceases," said Mr Watson. "It is now ceasing, especially among young people under 25 throughout the world. They are not content with the barren negations of their fathers, nor to ask questions to which there are no answers. "In Germany, Italy, and Russia, it is the enthusiasm of young people that puts the political parties in power and keeps them there. Young people arc disillusioned and have questioned the dominance of reason. They seek a firm ground for their attitude to life in authority and in some form of religion. Sir Michael Sadlier said that a great change had come over university undergraduates. In his day he would have laid down his life to defend the freedom of speech and press. To-day the students were not interested in the abstractions of liberty and free speech." In place of the passion for liberty men wanted a training by authority, and that old-fashioned thing—a leader, he said. In Germany young men sacrificed their freedom for an iron discipline in order to think, stand and act together. Mr Watson said that personally he detested all this; but the facts were important, and soon New Zealand would be affected. Nationalism and Communism There were two great faiths now claiming allegiance—nationalism and communism. Germany exemplified nationalism: the spirit of the nation had come into being or had been reborn. The ultimate object was the advancement of the nation and to that end all personal freedom was sacrificed. Communism made the same claims; it regimented men's thoughts and actions till they were as one. Both faiths had their roots in something deeper than political and economic conditions —in the depths oi the human spirit, which was feeling a reaction to critical enquiry and radical thought for its own sake, and had come to seek authority. Culling From Old Ideas "In this new world are many old ideas," continued Mr Watson. "Business men—and it is from business men that I, speaking deliberately as one with academic training, expect a new imental attitude rather than from the intellectuals —business men must choose between the good and bad ideas. The unification of the world leaves no room for the mutual suicide known as war. But do not believe that by being brought together, by international machinery, pacts and conferences at Geneva, we can do away with war. Nor will the rapid means of communication, which bring nations closer to each other, bring about peace. The secret of peace is an old one, belonging to the sjdrit of man. It is a change of heart, and ultimately nothing will make for a change of heart more than religion." The idea of progress was another idea which persisted from the old world, he continued. The nineteenth century seeing the far-reaching changes that were taking place believed human progress to be inevitable. "But to-day it is not so certain that progress is inevitable," said Mr Watson. "From the point of view of civilisation or industrial advance it is just as likely that we should go backwards to barbarism as forwards to a millennium; the probabilities are about balanced. The only thing that will prevent a relapse lies in the spirit of man. There is nothing in the machine age itself to ensure that the world will be led ever onwards and upwards according to the belief of Tennyson and Herbert Spencer. What counts is the hand and spirit that guide. "Finally there is the idea of the value of the individual man," concluded Mr Watson. "The whole superstructure of this age is worthless if we do not at all costs keep the individual man and child at the centre." The address was heard by a large attendance of some 80 members, and at the conclusion Mr Watson was accorded a hearty vote of thanks.