A Vision of the Future, Based on the Application of Ethical Principles

by Jane Hume Clapperton

Overview

Excerpt: "Social Problems are the chief interest and study of my life. In 1885 I published in London a work entitled Scientific Meliorism and the Evolution of Happiness. The world of thought has acquired new knowledge since then; and many social changes have occurred. The present volume is not a replica of that work, although, as before, my aim has been to gather together the currents of meliorism pursuing diverse courses throughout society and to throw upon these the light of fresh knowledge gained by investigators of economic and social science; and, above all, the light emanating from philosophic thinkers who recognize that the path of improved outward conditions, and the path of inward progress for man, lie parallel to each other. It is my belief that in this dawning epoch of conscious evolution man may, if he so chooses, push forward the actual life of to-day and merge it into the ideal life of to-morrow. There has recently occurred a widespread commemoration of the birth of that pure-souled American, who was pre-eminently a teacher of the ideal life. This volume, I hope, will be read in America, viand, to the memory of Emerson I tender homage, while adopting his phrase, "Hitch Your Wagon to a Star," as the motto of my book. The toil of man's daily life alas! is indeed as the straining and jolting of a lumbering wagon,—it grovels, it wallows, it drags wearily, and the soul of the wagoner soars not. But there are few thinkers who confront the great social question of the hour as not the rescue of the submerged tenth merely, not the elevation of the masses only, but the uplifting of all Humanity to higher levels in the scale of being. When the great process of social reform is animated and ruled by that lofty aspiration, the lumbering wagon of toil will become a triumphal chariot of moral and spiritual progress."

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9783962729721
Publisher:	Otbebookpublishing
Publication date:	04/06/2022
Series:	Classics To Go
Sold by:	Bookwire
Format:	eBook
Pages:	229
File size:	914 KB

About the Author

Jane Hume Clapperton (1832-1914) was a pioneering Scottish social reformer and writer whose radical ideas on ethics, society, and gender roles left an indelible mark on the intellectual landscape of her time. Born into a family with strong educational values, Clapperton's early exposure to progressive thought fueled her lifelong commitment to social justice and ethical living.Clapperton's work was groundbreaking, particularly in her advocacy for women's rights and her critique of the prevailing social and economic systems. She envisioned a society where ethical principles guided all aspects of life, from personal relationships to governance. Her writings often challenged the status quo, calling for a more equitable distribution of wealth and opportunities, and promoting the idea that true progress could only be achieved through moral and ethical reform.Her influence extended to contemporary writers and thinkers, including members of the Ethical movement and early feminists, who found in her work a compelling vision of a just and humane society. Despite facing considerable opposition and controversy for her unorthodox views, Clapperton remained steadfast in her convictions, earning both admiration and criticism.Clapperton's legacy is one of intellectual bravery and moral clarity. Her ideas continue to resonate, offering modern readers a thought-provoking perspective on the enduring issues of ethics, equality, and social justice. Her life and work serve as a testament to the power of visionary thinking in shaping a better future.
Jane Hume Clapperton (22 September 1832 – 30 September 1914) was a British philosopher, birth control pioneer, socialist, social reformer and suffragist.