George Herbert Palmer

Altruism George Herbert Palmer

Altruism: Its Nature and Varieties

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The Book in Brief by the Author

I here present the substance of eight Ely Lectures delivered in the spring of 1918 at Union Theological Seminary in New York. They were spoken without manuscript. In writing them out from the stenographer's notes I have condensed them considerably. In these belligerent days publishers are disposed to economize paper and print, and readers to prize brevity in everything except newspapers. Such restrictions force on us loquacious bookmakers greater regard for compactness and lucidity, and are thus not altogether an injury.



The book seeks to call attention to a section of ethics in regard to which the public mind greatly needs clarifying. Altruism and egoism, socialism and individualism, are in our time sentimentally arrayed against one another as independent and antagonistic agencies, each having its partisans. A careful examination will show . . .



Palmer said about ethics, "Right conduct consists in following one's conscience and doing one's duty for the sake of right and not for any ulterior purpose". He wished to, "burn the pictures of heaven and quench the fires of hell that men might do right for the sake of the right." It was stated in The Harvard Crimson that he was instrumental in the development of the character of the Philosophy department at Harvard, through his teaching methods and written works. He was particularly interested in classical literature and philosophy, as well as the poet George Herbert. Palmer enjoyed teaching and once said that he would gladly pay Harvard for the right. He was called the "Dean of teachers" for the manner in which he inspired students to become teachers.



Among his books are the translation of The Odyssey, (1884), The New Education (1887), The Glory of the Imperfect (1898), Self-Cultivation in English (1897). He also wrote The Field of Ethics (1901), The Nature of Goodness (1904), The Life and Works of George Herbert (three volumes, 1905), The Teacher (1908), Intimations of Immortality in the Sonnets of Shakespeare (1912), and Trades and Professions (1914).



While at Harvard, Professor Palmer lived in Dana-Palmer House, which bears his name. It is also called the Harvard University Guest House. He retired in 1913, but remained active on the campus, such as his popular readings of the classics.



Between 1894 and 1909, Palmer received honorary LL. D degrees from the University of Michigan, Union, Dartmouth, and Harvard. He received and honorary Litt. D degree from Western Reserve in 1897. In 1917, he received an honorary degree from the University of California.