The Meaning of Good—A Dialogue by Goldsworthy Lowes Dickinson
page 45 of 247 (18%)
page 45 of 247 (18%)
![]() | ![]() |
|
view by which such worth is denied. To anyone who refuses to accept
any judgment about what is good, I prove, or endeavour to prove, that such refusal cuts away the whole basis of his life; and I ask him if he is prepared to accept that consequence. If he affirms that he is, and affirms it not only with his lips but in his action, then I have no more to say; but if he cannot accept the consequences, then, I suppose, he will reconsider the premisses, and admit that he does really believe that judgments about what is good may be true, and, provisionally, that his own are true, or at least as true as he can make them, and that he does in fact accept and act upon them as true, and intends to do so until he is convinced that they are false. And this attitude of his feelings, you may call, if you like, an attitude of faith; it is, I think, the attitude most men would adopt if they were pressed home upon the subject; and to my mind it is reasonable enough, and rather to be praised than to be condemned." "I don't think so at all," cried Leslie, "I consider it very unsatisfactory." "So do I," said Parry, "and for my part, I can't see what you're all driving at. You seem to be making a great fuss about nothing." "Oh no!" retorted Ellis, "not about nothing! about a really delightful paradox! We have arrived at the conclusion that we are bound to believe in Good, but that we haven't the least notion what it is!" "Exactly!" said Parry, "and that is just what I dispute!" "What? That we are bound to believe in Good?" |
|