Humanism and America

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

78119

Title

Humanism and America

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Edited by Norman Foerster, this 1930 collection defines humanism as a philosophy distinguishing man from nature and the divine. It critiques the 'naturism' of the machine age and materialistic complacency, advocating for a return to classical discipline, individualism, and inner peace. Featuring essays by Irving Babbitt and Paul Elmer More, the book offers a vital intellectual refuge against modern disillusionment.

Summary up to 500 words

Published in 1930, 'Humanism and America' serves as a manifesto for a specific intellectual movement seeking to restore value to human existence amidst the 'terrible headache' of modern civilization. Edited by Norman Foerster, the volume argues that the modern temper has produced a state of scepticism and futility, where reliance on science, efficiency, and machinery has failed to satisfy the human spirit. The text posits that humanism is not a new invention but a perennial wisdom that must constantly confront new problems; in the twentieth century, its primary foe is 'this-worldliness' and the obsession with physical things that binds humanity to the animal order. The book centers on the work of two American scholar-critics, Irving Babbitt and Paul Elmer More. Babbitt is celebrated for his tenacity in building a sound conception of individualism and his ability to relate permanent values to historical facts. More is noted for his profound scholarship and psychological insight, particularly his study of the duality of human nature and his monumental work on the Greek tradition. The text distinguishes between 'humanism' and 'humanitarianism,' the latter being an emotional sympathy with average humanity that often lacks constructive power. The authors argue that true humanism requires a disciplined imitation of the best in human history, balancing appetite and aspiration to achieve inner peace. A significant portion of the text analyzes American literature and culture to illustrate the decline of humane insight. It examines how the frontier hope for a physical paradise, from the days of Garland and Rolvaag to the industrial dreams of Sherwood Anderson, ultimately led to despair rather than utopia. The narrative traces the transition from the optimism of untapped resources to the despair of standardized industrialism, where the worship of mass production replaced the sanctity of the individual personality. The book critiques the 'dilettantism' of contemporary education, where scientific specialisation has crowded out literature, leading to a generation of students who fear Spenser and hate Milton. It asserts that the only refuge for progress in a materialistic epoch is the idealistic humanity of the past. The collection concludes that while humanism faces attacks from romantics, realists, and sceptics who label it academic or un-American, it remains the necessary discipline for rising to a plane uncircumscribed by physical existence. By listing numerous works published since 1900, the volume provides a roadmap for readers seeking to reclaim a balanced, disciplined, and elevated life.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Philosophy
• Literature