Hocking, Bridgman Discuss 'Values'

A philosopher, a scientist, and a theologian discussed "Values for Modern Man" last night before nearly 1400 persons at the fifth session of a current Law School Forum series in the Cambridge High and Latin School Auditorium.

William E. Hocking '01, Alford Professor of Philosophy, Emeritus, Percy W. Bridgman '04, Hollis Professor of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy, and Walter G. Muelder, Dean of the Boston University School of Theology, were on the panel. Lon L. Fuller, Carter Professor of General Jurisprudence was moderator.

Professor Hocking started the discussion by declaring that "values are tangible things" which reflect whatever man wants. Yet "values change and are changing," he stated, "and I find an antipathy to certainty in modern times." In this respect, Hocking added, "Western society has been going oriental in its values."

He pointed out the difference between "spot values," which concern definite things, and "field values" which are general ones. "To have a stable society we must have those values which bring men together," he said in answering affirmatively the question whether there must be an agreement on fundamental values.

Reconcile Ideologles

Dean Muelder agreed with Hocking that conflicting ideologies must be reconciled. He told the forum that "agreement is not identity of cultural dress," and warned that "we must distinguish between what values bind men together" in a workable manner.

Professor Bridgman pointed out that as a scientist he "was not prepared to make a direct answer" to the problems of values for modern man. Science can deal only with questions which can be answered by yes or no, he contended.

"An intelligent attack" must be made on these problems, he said, "if we are to escape the fate which almost engulfed physics." Bridgman referred to how indefinite terminology seriously bogged down science in the last century. If modern man becomes precise in his definitions of vague words like "democracy," he argued, then difficulties over values may disappear.

"Social science contributes much to answer these problems, Dean Muelder said in explaining how science can enable man to reach moral judgments. He commended its work in studying how men can live better together and added that "the last word is not yet in from social science."

Rationality

"There is no other intelligence but rationality," continued Muelder, holding that man can be self-sufficient in a rational ethic. He decried intuitional revelations. "Non-rational factors, however, deserve our consideration," he maintained, praising the insight of great minds. Insight must still be respected."

Professor Hocking declared that "no man is content without a touch of the unknown. The only man who is happy is one who knows how much he doesn't know."

The next Law School Forum, on March 18, will present Senator Hubert Humphrey (D-Minn.), Norman Thomas, head of the Socialist Party, and Senator Owen Brewster (R-Me.), discussing government regulation of the economy.

After the question period the forum awarded three recent books as prizes to persons who had put the best questions to the speakers.