WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1953 3 Speakers Discuss American Morals . Three speakers discussed “Is There a Crisis in American Morals” Sunday night at the Hillel Town Meeting. Henry A. Finch, associate professor of philosophy, William G. Mather, professor of rural so ciology, and the Rev. Andrew E. Newcomer Jr. of the Presbyterian : Church, spoke on three aspects of the problem, Finch recognized the crisis and advised that it be met with re sourcefulness lest “all be lost.” He said there has always been a crisis in morals everywhere, in all periods of history. He added that the realization of such a prob lem should not lead to “nihlism, failure of nerve, or retrogression of any kind.” Morality 'Low' Then He alluded to ancient Greek literature and .to the sayings of the prophets which indicated that a similar condition existed in their times as well as in our own. -According to the writers of the Middle Ages, the morality of the people was seemingly as “low” as it is now. Finch reminded his audience that when we speak of morals, we must realize that human prob lems have characteristics that are not found in. mathematics, as tronomy, or any other definite science. . “Humans are required to act on incomplete knowledge,” he said. A mathematician may post pone his decision because he lacks sufficient information, but an in dividual must make his decisions, facts or no. Risk is involved in error, but because of urgency, acts must be completed with speed. Finch stated. Everyone presumably knows the ' necessary factors to a deci sion; whereas, few know the lim its. According to Finch, it is ob vious that a parent must love his child, but the degree is uncer tain. American Illusion Many Americans are under the illusion that they are immune to change, both in religious and so cial life, he said. The modern age is very ra tional, and is under the influence of rational actions. We are living in the time of a movement from “ecstacy to calculation, from the personal to the impersonal, from myth to science,” Finch said. Our sentiments remain in the school of the “personal, mythical and non-rational,” he said. Today there is a definite de cline in supernatural sanctions according to Finch. People are not, acting on the aspirations of receiving heavenly blessings for their deeds. Finch concluded that conditions #L>W »'<V ' ■ WJ**/ . ,or . givmg ... \ Glamour-touched practical gifts ... ~ iqj ..vf< , JvAV..v.%VMv.v.%w.« v .v.w*%v#.v.»*vS-^J.%%.<v^ Pajamas and night-shirts styled by famous "Tommies" in fire engine red! Come see our other "sleepy-time logs" in cottons, nylons, and crepes in all colors. Sizes 32-40. Priced from s 3 * 9B U P Have your gift list all checked off before Christmas! And don't forget —we gift wrap, too! By BOBBIE WEINBERG in the United States are favorable, our vices c'orrigible, our sins— those of American generosity and liberty—our progress not leading towards the illusion of Utopia. . The second speaker was William G. Mather, professor in rural so ciology. Mather noted that each generation tends to worry about the one following. Mather said, “What we have In sexual morality is merely more frankness.” In one generation the people of the United States have seen a tremendous change in the physi cal culture of our country. The many inventions, plus the changes in the ideas of what is right and wrong, the revision' in our every day pace, and in our relationships with those who live at a distance from us, have accounted for this mild revolution in American so ciety, Mather said. Previously, the personal basis upon which all affairs were con ducted led to an integrity not found today, Mather pointed out. This lack of honesty is due to the presence of many in our daily life and to the freedom of adver tising. • Professor Mather hoped that “aging morals” would soon catch up to the pace of life, but ad mitted that the race will probably continue endlessly. The final speaker was the Rev. Newcomer of the Presbyterian Church in State College. He was not willing to admit that a crisis in American morals existed, but he added that if such a crisis did exist, then we must deal with its symptoms. These include delin quency, both adult. and juvenile, corruption, alcoholism, and pro miscuity. He spoke of “morality by majority.” Revealed Religions Newcomer based his talk on what he termed “revealed reli gion.” This revelation is that which God has made to us, rather than our discovery of Him. Newcomer suggested that low morality could be “discontent with what we are, but not*want ing to change in the pretermined way.” He quoted the commefit that we “love God and do as we. please.” If we follow the moral law, the way of God, no crisis will exist, he said. Merry Christmas LINGERIE Slips for under-blouse glamour. Flatter her .with a gift of Christ mas magic in nylons and rayons. Sizes 32-44. Moderately priced from $2.98 up dreams in holiday STUFF THE DAILY COLLEGIAN STATE COLLEGE PENNSYLVANIA Personal Basis Gone Cjfanctng uncl-- - (Continued from page four) i look the same as everyone else. 1 including the officers. Unfortunately this idea became tangled with a few other concepts. One such concept is that few peo ple like to look like everyone else. And in the army this idea is rec ognized by the issuance of var ious bits of material for actions somewhat out of the ordinary. An example is the shoulder tab that was available shortly after World War 11. It read “Regular Army.” Unfortunately, friends and neighbors were still abduct ing one another for the frugal life at the time. The idea then came up that me man’s being able to wear a patch that said, “Look, I enlisted,” would make the draf tees feel bad. Nine months later the draftees were discharged. They sure felt bad. The Pentagon was silent for Santa Claus to Visit Ed College Students Santa Claus is going to visit the students in the College of Educa tion from 7:30 to 9 p.m. tomorrow in the Temporary Union Building. As part of the evening’s enter tainment members of the Educa tion Student Council will present a skit. Music for dancing will be provided by Lynn Christy’s Cam puseers.' Members of the council will serve refreshments. Prof to Discuss Yule Art Harold E. Dickson, professor of fine arts, will present an illus trated lecture on “Christmas in Art” at 7 tonight at the Penn State Christian Association As sembly in 304 Old Main. GRAD STUDENTS SQUARE DANCE Friday 9-12 TUB umiiiuiiiiiiiiimiiiimmiiiiiiimiiiHiimiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiuiiiiiiiiiiiiimiiiiiiiiiiu ■ ' V \ ** X "-"■V ; zwsxri ’?y>-v ' N These gossamer sheers are a film of loveliness that will \ give you longer wear than \ you ever dreamed possible. ~ Of the very finest texture, . > they’re knitted with more stitches to the inch... have , greater elasticity, amazing, snag- f resistance. ‘ - V Choose these 15 denier \ 60 and 66 gauge Larkwood lovelies in their fashionable . new holiday hues I 109 South Allen St. | Tillllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllilllllllllllllltllilllllllllllllllillllllllllllllllltilß a. while after that. But not for long. A hew idea came to the fore. This was a combination of two previous ideas. Everyone must look the same. But the man who has the privilege of sifting in mud regularly must be designated differently than the man who is deprived of this 1 diversion. Solving this problem wasn’t easy. But, it was done. Stripes were reduced to postage stamp proportions so the enlisted man looked almost like the officer who didn’t wear stripes. Different col or stripes were available for the troops depending upon their prox imity to mud. And so the pendulum swings. Today we have yellow signs. I'm looking forward to tomorrow with great anticipation. Ameri can ingenuity is not dead. It's been drafted. Academy Award •Winning Picture! "THE SEA AROUND US" • look the loveliest • wear the longest $1.65 to $1.95 a pair BETTY GRABLE LAUREN BACALL "HOW TO MARRY A MILLIONAIRE" in Cinemascope Last Times Today "MARTIN LUTHER" 00V' <?■ / 9 99 605 an d 66 5 . OOt. Independents f© Held Carole Sing, Social The councils, of Leonides and the Association of Independent Men will meet at 6:45 p.m. Sun day inside Old Main to begin Christmas caroling. Independent men and women may join the groups to carol and attend the so cial which will be held in McEl wain lounge after the caroling. • Independent women may still order Leonides pins. Orders will be .taken by Leonides representa tives. WSGA Senate Meeting The Senate of Women’s Student Government Association will meet at 6:30 tonight in the WSGA room in White Hall. . The Student Shopper QlfisforSii If your sister likes sweat ers, you can stop at the CHARLES SHOP and pick from their selection of wool, nylon, either plain or jew eled, and cashmeres. Or you can find in the SMART SHOP other gift suggestions such as belts, leather col lars, and knee socks. At SCHLOWS you can pur chase beautiful silk head scarves, wool stoles, sweat ers including Hadly cash meres, and a wide selection of man tailored blouses. Maybe Sis would like a leather or dressy handbag or. something exclusive from their exclusive line of shoes at SIM O N S . At ETHEL MESERVES you will find irradescent brocded slim fold wallets for evening wear or something in the line of unusual jewelry. For nick nacks, paintings, and vases you will find a great selection at the TREASURE HOUSE. If you would like to purchase something with a sorority crest, stop in at the AA STORE and make your selection. If you are feeling crea tive, make your purchase of yard goods at EGOLFS. The exquisite jewelry at the BLAIR SHOP might be just what Sis wants. They also specialize in wrapping and mailing gifts until Decem ber 15. To end your shop ping trip, stop in at the CORNER ROOM. If you are hungry, their chopped steak sandwiches are delicious. PAGE ETVE
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