VIII, [1898], p.321; to
mention only a few.
192
programs only; and its bearing on many
vital philosophic problems has not been traced
except by adversaries who, scenting heresies in
advance, have showered blows on doctrines --
subjectivism and scepticism, for example --
that no good humanist finds it necessary to
entertain. By their still greater reticences, the
anti-humanists have, in turn, perplexed the
humanists. Much of the controversy has involved
the word 'truth.' It is always good in
debate to know your adversary's point of view
authentically. But the critics of humanism
never define exactly what the word 'truth'
signifies when they use it themselves. The
humanists have to guess at their view; and
the result has doubtless been much at beating of
the air. Add to all this, great individual differences
in both camps, and it becomes clear that
nothing is so urgently needed, at the stage
which things have reached at present, as a
sharper definition by each side of its central
point of view.
Whoever will contribute any touch of
sharpness will help us to make sure of what's
193
what and who is who. Anyone can contribute
such a definition, and, without it, no one
knows exactly where he stands.
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