Adams, Noonan Debate Government, Economic Welfare in Divinity Talks

In a tense discussion of "Politics and Economic Welfare," James L. Adams, Edward Mallinckrodt, Jr. Professor of Divinity, told the Divinity School Forum last night that he had decided "simply to ignore" an earlier Forum guest, the Rev. Edward A. Opitz, who defended the "Moral Basis of Capitalism."

Adams termed Opitz "an advocate of the negative state--an unmodified laissez faire form of government." Accusting Opitz of "irrelevancy," Adams asked about "areas--such as cyclical unemployment and old-age--where private enterprise has shown itself deficient." The moderator then invited Opitz, who was in the audience, to defend his views. Declaring that charity and private pension plans should aid the aged, Opitz said government financial "manipulations" have led to unemployment and depressions.

Favoring "private initiative, direction and control," John T. Noonan, Jr. '47 (pictured above) said the government should step in "only where responsible and efficient private enterprise cannot do the job," and that "fear of the state is the beginning of wisdom."

Holding a book edited by Opitz, Adams later questioned the wisdom of ever inviting Opitz to speak at the Forum, and asked if there is "anything challenging here, anything of value." The Forum chairman then asked Adams about a speech on the "Uses of Diversity," in which the professor stated that in all academic and political areas, "we expect and promote a diversity, and even a conflict of interests and values." Adams replied that there are "degrees of relevance," and referred to "relevant diversity."