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University Dany Kansan
Friday, May 1, 1964
Humanism Seen As Tie That Binds
Humanism, the basic element and current trend in both the east and the west, is the tie that binds and the one factor which may make the hope of "peaceful co-existence" a permanent reality, Errol Harris, professor of philosophy, said last night in his twenty-third war and peace lecture.
Marxism and democracy share somewhat the same origins. Both can be traced to the seventeenth century document, "The Rights of Man," by Thomas Paine, whose writings were a source of inspiration to French and American revolutionaries. Prof. Harris said.
But in that document, Paine became the forerunner of socialism, in that he is the first advocate of practical social reform in the direction of the welfare state, the professor said.
Forum to Discuss AWS Sex Survey
"Values of KU Women" will be the topic of the Current Events Forum at 4:30 p.m. today in the Big Eight Room of the Kansas Union.
The panel will present findings from a survey made by the Associated Women Students about a month ago. The Roles of Women committee of AWS asked all KU women students to complete a questionnaire in order to determine the values of KU women.
The panel consists of Miss Emily Taylor, dean of Women; the Rev. Paul Davis of the Plymouth Congregational Church; Max Stalcup, a teacher at Lawrence high school, and Jerilyn Williamson, Bastrop, La., graduate student.
Marxism was a direct descendant of the revolutionary and humanitarian movement which produced the republican democracies of America and France, he continued.
Marxism almost grew out of the vacuum created by social conditions in France which made a mockery of the democratic ideals of the revolutionaries, he said.
But Prof. Harris said there are "two mutually incompatible elements" in the Marxian philosophy.
"An indispensable element of humanitarianism, without which many of its pronouncements would be unwarranted, . . . and a materialistic totalitarianism which provides the system of explanatory concepts by which it'interprets historical events and justifies undemocratic policies are the two elements," he said.
Another conflict, Prof. Harris said, is found within the Marxists adherence to the theory of dialectical materialism, which "has consequences militating against humanitarian ideals."
Prof. Harris said the dialectical theory holds that matter is the sole reality and behaves according to dialectical laws which produce changes.
It is a rigid theory, which applies to economic, historical, and physical laws. But, as Prof. Harris pointed out, just as the laws of nature cannot be changed, so the theories which depend on them cannot be revised.
This, the professor said, is the reason why Marxists are averse to revisionism. "It is tantamount to revising the laws of nature."
Another conflict between humanitarianism and materialism was pointed out by the professor.
"Materialism suppresses recognition of the value of human individuality . . . and exalt the interests of the class (the proletariat) . . . failing to recognize the fact that the interests of the class are nothing other than those of the persons composing it."
Another consequence of the theory is that in the face of historical material laws, human individual choice is negligible, he said.
But beginning with the repudiation of Stalinism, there seems to have been more stress on humanitarianism, and less on dialectal materialism. Prof. Harris illustrated his comment by pointing to the relaxation of totalitarian restrictions in the Soviet Union, and a resurgence of independent thinking, "cautious and qualified, but significant."
In the works of one Polish communist philosopher, Adam Schaff, appears an emphasis upon the humanistic elements in marxism and a playing down of the materialistic. In his writings, Schaff also indicates that Marxism is very much an open philosophy, and not as impervious to subtle revision as the law of dialectical materialism would have it be, he said.
Prof. Harris sees in this kind of thinking a hope that "the gradual erosion of totalitarianism by humanitarianism within the movement could provide a fruitful means of reconciliation between east and west."
But the movement towards humanism must be in the western countries too, the professor pointed out. Racialism at home, and support of dictatorial regimes abroad run directly counter to democratic principles, he said.
Prof. Harris said real efforts on
the part of the liberal democratic countries to practice what they preach, would spur on the Marxists to greater efforts in the direction of humanitarianism in order to prove to the uncommitted nations that communism was superior.
Season Ticket Orders Go on Sale Monday
Orders for reserved student tickets for the 1964 football games will be accepted beginning Monday at Allen Field House.
The sale begins at 8:30 a.m. to noon and 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. daily through Thursday. Students who will be seniors, graduate and law students may purchase tickets Monday and Tuesday; junior's on Wednesday, and future sophomores may purchase tickets Thursday.
Student ID cards must be presented along with a $1.50 handling fee.
Official Bulletin
TODAY
SUA Current Events Forum, 4:30 p.m.
Music Room, Kansas Union.
Lecture, 4:30 p.m., Forum Room, Kansas Union. "El Impacto del Español sobre las Lengues Indigenas Americanas"—Dr. Marcos Morinigo, U. of Illinois.
SATURDAY
German Graduate Reading Exam, 9:30 a.m., 205 Fraser. Varsity Baseball, 1 p.m., Quigley Field. KU-Iowa State.
SUNDAY
AWS Junior-Senior Brunch, 9:30 a.m.
Ballroom, Kansas Union.
Oread Friends Meeting, 10:30 a.m.
Dearthath meeting to this Quaker meeting for worship.
SUA Chess Club, 2 p.m. Kansas Union.
Big 8 Room, Kansas Union.
Big 8 Room, Kansas Union.
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