Communication

[We invite all men in the University to submit communications on subjects of timely interest.]

To the Editors of the CRIMSON:

Our academic community does not devote overmuch time to philosophic celebrations; but if they are rare, then they deserve the more attention. Four years ago we all united in doing honor to the memory of Emerson on the hundredth anniversary of his birthday. Those who praised Emerson as a philosopher emphasized that it was his mission to give beautiful form to the idealistic thoughts of the great philosophical movement which started with Kant and culminated in Fichte. Tonight's celebration at the German Verein is devoted to Fichte himself. Some Harvard men have wished to do what has been done in the last few weeks at a hundred places within and without Germany. They want to do honor to the memory of Fichte on the centenary of his famous orations, which were delivered in January and February 1808.

But it may be added that the chief value of a Fichte memorial does not lie in the reference to the past, but in the importance for present day thought. It is evident that after some decades of philosophical indifference, a new strong philosophical movement has set in all over the world and that its strength lies in a revival of Fichte's ethical idealism. It is most fortunate, therefore, that Professor Julius Goebel, who is equally interested in the historical and philosophical aspects of Fichte, will deliver the chief oration. HUGO MUNSTERBERG