ANTI-NATURALISM IN EXTREMIS
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standably, to relegate the story to the field of symbolism. But
the view that all nature was somehow thoroughly corrupted and
that mankind is collectively and individually in a fallen estate,
is the only ground upon which there can be urged the necessity
of redemption by. extra-natural means. And the diluted philo–
sophic version of historic supernaturalism which goes by the name
of rationalistic metaphysical spiritualism or idealism has no ba_sis
upon which to erect its "higher" non-natural organs and faculties,
and the supernatural truths they are said to reveal, without a
corresponding thoroughly pessimistic view of human nature.
Ill
I now come to the question of the moral and social conse–
quences that flow from the base and degrading view of nature in
general and of human nature in particular that inheres in every
variety of anti-naturalistic philosophy. I begin with the fact that
the whole tendency of this view has been to put a heavy discount
upon resources that are potentially available for betterment of
human life. In the case of any candid clear-eyed person, it is
enough to ask one simple question: What is the inevitable effect
of holding that anything remotely approaching a basic and serious
amelioration of the human estate must be based upon means
and methods that lie outside the natural and social world, while
human capacities are so low that reliance upon them only
makes things worse? Science cannot help; industry and com–
merce cannot help; political and jural arrangements cannot help;
ordinary human affections, sympathies and friendships cannot
help. Place these natural resources under the terrible handicap
put upon them by every mode of anti-naturalism, and what is
the outcome? Not that these things have not accomplished any–
thing in fact, but that their operation has always been weakened
and hampered in just the degree in which supernaturalism has
prevailed.
Take the case of science as a case of "natural" knowledge
obtained by "natural" means and methods; together with the fact
that after all, from the extra-naturalistic point of view, science
is
mere
natural knowledge which must be put in stark opposition
to a higher realm of truths accessible to extra-natural organs.
Does any one believe that where this climate of opinion prevails,
scientific method and the conclusions reached by its use can do
