286 Intranational and International Ethics [June-September 



growth and the direction of human morality, are surely not the main 

 factors of its creation and development. On the contrary, in inter- 

 racial and international relations many biological traits are pro- 

 foundly inimical to a development of proper moral ideals. Struggle 

 for existence, physical strength and dexterity, love of fight, hate, 

 rage, bravery, etc., are traits which the human race has in common 

 with wild beasts, and an uncontrolled cultivation of these traits may 

 often prove disastrous to all human morality. On the other hand, 

 intelligence and intellectual activities are traits which distinguish man 

 from beasi. Their intense cultivation by civilized men has been the 

 main cause of the high State of morality which prevails and is visibly 

 progressing within the confines of civilized countries — the intra- 

 national ethics. 



But now let us turn again to mf^rnational ethics. We have 

 Seen that there is an abyss between international and intranational 

 morality. We have seen further that war between civilized coun- 

 tries brings in modern times incomparably more frightful results 

 than in previous ages, which is undoubtedly due to the astounding 

 discoveries and inventions brought to light by the intense intellectual 

 activities in the various cultured countries. Are discoveries and 

 inventions, are even apparently sound intellectual activities, danger- 

 ous to international morality? Is this morality rather regressive 

 instead of being progressive? And what can we do to make it 

 progressive or to accelerate the imperceptible progress? The last 

 question is the more important one, since it presents a practical and 

 not merely an academic problem. In the following I intend to dis- 

 cuss some factors which may contribute in some modest way to its 

 Solution. I am fully aware, as all of you are, of the immensity of 

 the problem, and I am aware, more than you, of the microscopical 

 dimensions, metaphorically speaking, of your guest of the even- 

 ing. But I shall act now as I always acted, upon the principle that 

 it is neither good nor wise to possess less courage or more modesty 

 than that drop of water which innocently and cheerfully undertakes 

 to drill a hole in a rock. 



As one who swore allegiance to the medical tribe, I shall begin 

 by saying that the case of international morals is very bad indeed, 

 but it is by no means hopeless; that only hopeful men are capable 



