Prentice, G. R.

Digital Commons @ Butler University

50 MANUSCRIPTSCopernican Unity versus PtolemaicDiscordG. R. Prentice/I LIKE MR. EMERY REVES, believe that our modern world mustbecome a Copernican society, and that we must emerge from the, old Ptolemaic system of living if we are to have a harmoniousexistence. It seems to me, however, that just as the change in pointof view from Ptolemy's astronomical doctrine to the new and en-lightened one of Copernicanism took generations, so will it be withthe conversion from Ptolemaic nationalism to Copernican .worldwideunity. The ideas of state sovereignty (Ptolemaic) have been well in-stilled in the minds of modern men, and one-world-mindedness(Copernicanism), like the theory concerning the solar system, will notbe a readily accepted ideology. We must then, destroy the barriersof sovereignty, and replace them with standards of universal equality.By so doing, we shall create new codes' of philosophy, and our narrow,nationalized interests will become proportionately microscopic con-versions to an international doctrine. A current move in this direc-tion has resulted in the United Nations Organization, where againwe are recording, for history, the attempts of great nations to reachamicable settlements of their differences. This fabulous organiza-tion, if allowed to function properly, could establish a definite lineof demarcation between nationalist Ptolemaic and unified Copernicanthought. Within this collective unit of representative nations weshould have the "remnant"! of our expansive world population; aremnant of delegates possessing ability, wisdom and the will to im-prove and strengthen the international relationship of the masses.With due regard to those representatives now serving with theUnited Nations, I believe we still must learn more of tolerance andcompromise; and make an even greater effort to minimize the na-tionalism which is now dominant. If we can accomplish these goals,our feeble steps toward harmonious living and worlcl peace, will be-come strides of progression; but if the remnant is not qualified, andif their accomplishments are constantly superseded by selfish motivesof isolationism, then our ultra-modern atomic civilization is doomedto perish by its own near-sightedness./1As Matthew Arnold uses the word in Numbers.

Copernican Unity versus Ptolemaic Discord

http://digitalcommons.butler.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1919&context=manuscripts

Copernican Unity versus Ptolemaic Discord

Abstract

Similar works

Full text

Available Versions

Digital Commons @ Butler University