Clyde S. Kilby’s plea for a kinder and saner world:
Most of us, I suppose, would think an antivivisectionist in this century little short of a boob, but men like Bernard Shaw, C. E. M. Joad, C. S. Lewis, and Albert Schweitzer believed that vivisectionism in our time marks a great advance in the triumph of ruthless, non-moral utilitarianism over the old world of ethical law. I think most of us would be shocked beyond measure if we knew how many thousands of animals suffer torture every day in laboratories - perhaps a great many more than need be. If any objection is raised to this, or to such things as cutting a four-lane highway though a forest preserve or despoiling Glen Canyon, the answer always is that man must be served. But which part of man? I myself have practiced for many years looking upon the morning light as an unmerited and mysterious gift and on life in flora and fauna as worthy of a daily salute and even a bow. Years ago I heard somebody say that all our political and diplomatic conferences ought to be moved out of smoke-filled rooms and held underneath trees. It seemed to me excellent. I wonder if under those circumstances the conclusions reached might not be quite different from what they are at present.
(Quoted from page 159 of “The Lost Myth,” by Clyde S. Kilby. Arts in Society, Vol. 6, 1969.) For a brief biography of Clyde S. Kilby, click here.
Most of us, I suppose, would think an antivivisectionist in this century little short of a boob, but men like Bernard Shaw, C. E. M. Joad, C. S. Lewis, and Albert Schweitzer believed that vivisectionism in our time marks a great advance in the triumph of ruthless, non-moral utilitarianism over the old world of ethical law. I think most of us would be shocked beyond measure if we knew how many thousands of animals suffer torture every day in laboratories - perhaps a great many more than need be. If any objection is raised to this, or to such things as cutting a four-lane highway though a forest preserve or despoiling Glen Canyon, the answer always is that man must be served. But which part of man? I myself have practiced for many years looking upon the morning light as an unmerited and mysterious gift and on life in flora and fauna as worthy of a daily salute and even a bow. Years ago I heard somebody say that all our political and diplomatic conferences ought to be moved out of smoke-filled rooms and held underneath trees. It seemed to me excellent. I wonder if under those circumstances the conclusions reached might not be quite different from what they are at present.
(Quoted from page 159 of “The Lost Myth,” by Clyde S. Kilby. Arts in Society, Vol. 6, 1969.) For a brief biography of Clyde S. Kilby, click here.
I love this quote!!!
all our political and diplomatic conferences ought to be moved out of smoke-filled rooms and held underneath trees...
I wonder if under those circumstances the conclusions reached might not be quite different from what they are at present..."
The trees would definitely affect the outcome, in my opinion.
May I use this in my blog? www.serenityinthegarden.blogspot.com
Posted by: Jan Johnsen | August 25, 2010 at 10:12 AM