Ethics and Modern Thought: A Theory of Their Relations

In a series of thoughtful lectures delivered at New York University in 1913, the author explores how the once‑firm foundations of morality have been shaken by the rise of modern science, psychology, and a growing emphasis on self‑preservation. He traces the historical confidence in ethical ideals—from the Enlightenment’s reliance on moral certainty to the timeless teachings of Plato, Kant, and the Gospel—showing how these pillars have been questioned by contemporary understandings of causality, heredity, and social environment. The discussion highlights the tension between the desire for spontaneous, independent action and the deterministic forces that now dominate our worldview.

The work invites listeners to reconsider what it means to act morally in an age that prizes efficiency, competition, and personal interest above all. By examining the clash between traditional ethical aspirations and the realities of modern life, the lectures open a space for renewed reflection on whether true moral detachment is still possible—or even desirable—today. This engaging inquiry offers a nuanced perspective for anyone curious about the evolving relationship between ethics and the modern mind.