Humanism and America : Essays on the outlook of modern civilisation

The volume opens with a vivid portrait of our age as a relentless, noisy street where disillusion and fatigue have become permanent companions. Its contributors diagnose a cultural headache brought on by waning faith in religion, democracy, science and even the promise of progress itself. Through incisive commentary they show how both Europe and America wrestle with a sense of inadequacy, turning complacent superiority into a deeper malaise. Yet the tone remains probing rather than despairing, inviting listeners to examine the roots of today’s intellectual unrest.

Against this backdrop, the book turns to the rising idea of humanism as a possible remedy. Drawing on the work of early twentieth‑century thinkers who argue for a clear distinction between man, nature, and the divine, the essays map a path toward a renewed sense of purpose. The discussions of Irving Babbitt and Paul Elmer More illustrate how a disciplined study of humanity can reconnect us with enduring values. Listeners will find a compelling blend of historical insight and forward‑looking hope that encourages a re‑evaluation of what it means to be human in modern civilization.