(1) Morals in Evolution: a Comparative Study in Comparative Ethics (2) The Natural History of the State: an Introduction to Political Science (3) Citizens To Be: a Social Study of Health, Wisdom, and Goodness, with Special Reference to Elementary Schools

Abstract

(1)THE present world-struggle is likely to have among its far-reaching results a modification more or less profound in our concepts of both the bases and the standards of civilisation, of morality as a whole, of the State, and of education. Cultural values are in the crucible. The German point of view in each should not be either ignored or over-estimated; the German theory and practice of Kultur in war serves as a critical test and ordeal for Western civilisation generally. We speak of German immoralism and “Prussianism “; the Germans describe our own characteristic methods as hypocrisy and “muddling through.” Whether these distinctions, if real, are the same as those between perversion and orthogenesis, autocracy and freedom, is an open question, but we can certainly learn from the enemy the lesson of applying science to every department of civilised life and organisation. And, after all, whatever the ideals of a people, it is doomed to stagnation unless its science is living, and is continuously informing every activity of national life. This may be considered an academic truism by the practical man, who is too often the unscientific man; but a truism is none the worse for being academic, and, if true, deserves a trial. The Germans have had the insight to try it, and they have had extraordinary successes therefrom. If these do not continue, it will be the fault, not of the application of science, but of German character and circumstances.

(1) Morals in Evolution: a Comparative Study in Comparative Ethics.

By Prof. L. T. Hobhouse. Pp. xvi + 648. Third edition. (London: Chapman and Hall, Ltd., 1915.) 10s. 6d. net.

(2) The Natural History of the State: an Introduction to Political Science.

By Prof. H. J. Ford. Pp. viii + 188. (Princeton: University Press; London: Oxford University Press, 1915.) 4s. 6d. net.

(3) Citizens To Be: a Social Study of Health, Wisdom, and Goodness, with Special Reference to Elementary Schools.

By M. L. V. Hughes. Pp. xvii + 331. (London: Constable and Co., Ltd., 1915.) 4s. 6d. net.