波波小说

波波小说>哲学史-philosophy of history(英文版) > 第9部分(第3页)

第9部分(第3页)

possess something in mon with it。 Human beings least of all; sustain the bare external relation

of mere means to the great ideal aim。 Not only do they in the very act of realising it; make it the

occasion of satisfying personal desires; whose purport is diverse from that aim — but they share in

that ideal aim itself; and are for that very reason objects of their own existence; not formally

merely; as the world of living beings generally is — whose individual life is essentially subordinate

to that of man; and is properly used up as an instrument。 Men; on the contrary; are objects of

existence to themselves; as regards the intrinsic import of the aim in question。 To this order

belongs that in them which we would exclude from the category of mere means; … Morality; Ethics;

Religion。 That is to say; man is an object of existence in himself only in virtue of the Divine that is in

him; — that which was designated at the outset as Reason; which; in view of its activity and power

of self…determination; was called Freedom。 And we affirm — without entering at present on the

proof of the assertion …that Religion; Morality; &c。 have their foundation and source in that

principle; and so are essentially elevated above all alien necessity and chance。 And here we must

remark that individuals; to the extent of their freedom; are responsible for the depravation and

enfeeblement of morals and religion。 This is the seal of the absolute and sublime destiny of man —

that be knows what is good and what is evil; that his destiny is his very ability to will either good or

evil; — in one word; that he is the subject of moral imputation; imputation not only of evil; but of

good; and not only concerning this or that particular matters and all that happens ab extra; but

also the good and evil attaching to his individual freedom。 The brute alone is simply innocent。 It

would; however demand an extensive explanation — as extensive as the analysis of moral freedom

itself — to preclude or obviate all the misunderstandings which the statement that what is called

innocent imports the entire unconsciousness of evil — is wont to occasion。

§ 38

In contemplating the fate which virtue; morality; even piety experience in history; we must not fall

into the Litany of Lamentations; that the good and pious often — or for the most part — fare ill in

the world; while the evil…disposed and wicked prosper。 The term prosperity is used in a variety of

meanings — riches; outward honour; and the like。 But in speaking of something which in and for

itself constitutes an aim of existence; that so…called well or ill…faring of these or those isolated

individuals cannot be regarded as an essential element in the rational order of the universe。 With

more justice than happiness — or a fortunate environment for individuals; — it is demanded of the

grand aim of the worlds existence; that it should foster; nay involve the execution and ratification

of good; moral; righteous purposes。 What makes men morally discontented (a discontent; by the

bye; on which they somewhat pride themselves); is that they do not find the present adapted to the

realisation of aims which they hold to be right and just (more especially in modern times; ideals of

political constitutions); they contrast unfavourably things as they are; with their idea of things as

they ought to be。 In this case it is not private interest nor passion that desires gratification; but

Reason; Justice; Liberty; and equipped with this title; the demand in question assumes a lofty

bearing; and readily adopts a position not merely of discontent; but of open revolt against the

actual condition of the world。 To estimate such a feeling and such views aright; the demands

insisted upon; and the very dogmatic opinions asserted; must be examined。 At no time

https://www.du8.org https://www.shuhuangxs.com www.baquge.cc

abxsw.net dingdianshu.com bxwx9.net

kenshu.tw pashuba.com quanshu.la

tlxsw.cc qudushu.net zaidudu.org

duyidu.org baquge.cc kenshuge.cc

qushumi.com xepzw.com 3dllc.net

已完结热门小说推荐

最新标签