Word: humanity
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Dates: during 1870-1879
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AMONG recent publications, we feel called upon to notice "An Essay on Human Understanding," by a certain Locke, of England. The book is evidently to be taken as an extravaganza or philosophical romance, and is designed, by a pleasing species of reductio ad absurdum, to ridicule the philosophers who were opposed to Descartes. Locke's method was probably suggested by the "Historic Doubts" of Whately, and his satire is more complete, if possible, than that of the celebrated divine. By fully presenting and amusingly overstating a system of philosophy he completely undermines the edifice he is supposed to be rearing...
...also of the aspects of nature; and as this knowledge is possessed by comparatively few, few can rightly judge of execution. The thought and feeling expressed in art, however, are common to mankind, and only differ in degree and quality as a larger or smaller sum of the best human faculties have been called into exercise. Remembering this, we do not see how any one can fail to be delighted with No. 7, the head by Velasquez, from its color, still beautiful, and its simple, manly treatment; though not in Velasquez's best style, perhaps, it far exceeds in value...
Again, when he concludes that "the final classification of the motives is the classification of pleasurable and painful feeling," he misrepresents men in many of their actions. Not to value human nature too highly, we can at least lay claim to some better motives than these. We should be unwilling to believe that all actions are induced by the wish to obtain pleasure or to get rid of pain, and that a feeling of right or duty was never considered in men's actions. There is in every man's nature something which calls for higher springs of action...
...friend is certainly taking too tragic a view of the matter. He apparently fears that Decoration Day will rouse bitter and revengeful thoughts in the minds of the people who throng the streets to witness its yearly celebration. It needs very little knowledge of human nature to perceive that the majority of the people who appear on the streets that day come out simply and solely to enjoy themselves...
...quivering, gangrened flesh; a human form...