A Preface to Morals

by Walter Lippmann

1929. Lippman, a Pulitzer Prize winning political columnist, helped found the liberal New Republic magazine. His writings there influenced Woodrow Wilson, who selected Lippman to help formulate his famous Fourteen Points and develop the concept of the League of Nations. A Preface to Morals endorses liberal democracy. Partial Part I The Dissolution of the Ancestral Order; Part II The Foundations of Humanism; and Part III The Genius of Modernity.

Genres: Philosophy, Nonfiction, Politics, History, Essays, Psychology, 20th Century

356 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1929

About the author

Walter Lippmann was an American intellectual, writer, reporter, and political commentator who gained notoriety for being among the first to introduce the concept of Cold War. Lippmann was twice awarded (1958 and 1962) a Pulitzer Prize for his syndicated newspaper column, "Today and Tomorrow."

Reviews

[Szplug · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lippmann—who was an important American intellectual in the early half of the Twentieth Century but has now almost entirely been forgotten—penned this impassioned and well thought-out primer for his favored brand of Humanism, a doctrine that might provide a livable code and spiritual comfort for those who—like Lippmann—were disillusioned and disturbed by both the atheistic, sanguinary, and destructive fervor of the Marxist revolutionary movements and the empty, purposeless gnawing within the broad swath of liberal scions of the Enlightenment or the Progressive-brand of society shapers. Whilst admitting that such as he could no longer feign belief in the Christian God, Lippmann sought to provide a means to deal with the spiritual rawness left by such agnosticity without succumbing to nihilism or receding into reaction; the result is this tome, propounding the transference of an ethos and the finding of a meaning for life within a dedication to humanistic principles—in other words, agreeing to make man the measure of all things within the boundary lines of a (pseudo)secular progressive liberalism, and seeking therein a surcease on suffering by attuning oneself to the immanence of a brotherhood rather than the transcendence of an unknowable and distant Absolute. Lippmann's earnest offering is not a solution I can fully get behind, but it offers up a humane and reasonable prospect for those who fear the onrushing of the Hollow Men; something that might fill that interior void beyond a violent rearrangement of society in pursuit of either a purifying ideal or a cleansing regression. As with much of what he wrote, Lippmann provides the reader with thoughtful, interesting and, at times, moving material.

[Matt McCormick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an old book when I was young and first found it in a used book shop in Columbia, Missouri. I read it thru back then and I remember thinking how much more I had to learn. Next to the enjoyment of Walter Lippmann’ cosmopolitan liberalism I am sure sat a youthful desire to seem smart and the hope this book might provide doom tools that would impress. For years thereafter it sat on my bookshelves getting older along side me.

For some reason, maybe nostalgia, I decided to read it again. I found that Lippmann is just as impressive to me today as he was years ago. A lucid writer, a thoughtful philosopher, a antagonistic critic, very much a liberal in the old fashioned sense of the word; Lippmann must have often seemed out of place in his time. I think he was just ahead of it.

Although nearly 100 years old, A Preface to Morals speaks to our time as well.

“When then, it may be asked, does he (the politician) begin to be a statesman? He begins whenever he stops trying merely to satisfy or obfuscate the momentary wishes if his constituents, and sets out to make them realize and assent to those hidden interests of theirs which are permanent because they fit the facts and can be harmonized with the interests of their neighbors. “

“The various mechanical inventions from James Watt’s steam engine to the electric dishwasher and the vacuum cleaner are not this new element. All these inventions, singly or collectively, though they have revolutionized the manner of life, are not the ultimate reason why men put such hope in machines. Their hope is not based on the machines we possess. They are obviously a mixed blessing. Their hope is on the machines that are yet to be made, and they have reason to hope because a really new thing has come into the world. That new thing is the invention of invention.”

Lippmann also speaks to that synergy of human heart and human mind.

“A boy can take you into the open at night and show you the stars..... But until and unless he feels the vast indifference of the universe to his own fate, and has placed himself in the perspective of cold and illimitable space, he has not looked maturely at the heavens. Until he has felt this, and unless he can endure this, he remains a child, and in his childishness he will resent the heavens when they are not accommodating.....”

Everywhere I turn in this book I find something relevant. although I no longer have a desire to impress, I retain the desire to know and to understand.

This book is a favorite. Well recommended.

[James Henderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Walter Lippmann was an influential journalist and political theorist of the twentieth century. A Preface to Morals, his most well-known and influential book, was first published in 1929. I was introduced to Lippmann in the late sixties when the Time Reading Program included this book in its offerings. In it Lippmann argues that in modern society traditional religious faith has lost its power to function as a source of moral authority. He asserts that ancient religious doctrine is no longer relevant to the conditions of modern life: governments have become increasingly democratized, populations have moved from rural to urban environments, and tradition in general is not suited to the dictates of modernity. Further, the democratic policy of the separation of church and state has created an atmosphere of religious tolerance, which suggests that religious faith is a matter of preference. In addition, the development of scientific method has created an atmosphere of doubt as to the claims made by religious doctrine. That doubt has grown larger over the last fifty years.
Lippmann offers humanism as the philosophy best suited to replace the role of religion in modern life. He notes that the teachers of humanism are the wise men or sages, such as Aristotle, Buddha, Confucius, Plato, Socrates, and Spinoza, and that it is up to the individual to determine the value of their wisdom. He goes on to observe that one of the primary functions of religion is to teach the value of asceticism, or voluntary self-denial, as essential to human happiness. Lippmann describes an attitude of ‘‘disinterestedness’’ as essential to the development of a humanistic morality. Disinterestedness, for Lippmann, is an approach to reality that puts objective thought before personal desire. He claims that the role of the moralist in modern society is not, as in traditional religions, to chastise and punish but to teach others a humanistic morality that can fulfill the human needs traditionally filled by religion.

[Graham Laur · Rating 4 out of 5]

Classic study of secular morality.

[Rita Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was led to read Walter Lippmann by another book -- "From Liberty to Magnolia," a memoir by Janice S. Ellis. A great admirer of Lippmann, Dr. Ellis had a lot to say about him and his writings in her memoir. This particular book was the only one I could get at our county library, but it certainly clarified for me the reason why someone who specializes in political communication would admire Lippmann.

This book contains some of the clearest and best constructed prose I have read in quite a while. Whether or not you agree with the author's ideas and conclusions, you will know exactly what they are and how he arrived at them. Some of the topics are outdated, of course, since "A Preface to Morals" was published in 1929. But clear, logical thinking and good writing never really go out of style.

[Ella · Rating 4 out of 5]

I find Walter Lippman intriguing, insightful, and deeply disturbing. This is an interesting view of history after WWI and the effects of Modernism.

[Billie Pritchett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lippmann argues that in a secular age, we can't recover the naïve religious view of an orderly world. But what we can do is recover the germ of an idea that was there all along, namely that we try to lead a more ascetic life, moderate our desires, and see religion as a matter of maturing and coming to terms with the world, with all its flaws. This is the good stuff. The bad stuff is when he veers into politics, arguing that we need leaders to tell is what is good for us, and he says the idea of natural liberty is a crock because we don't know what is good for us. This worldview should come as no surprise since Lippmann famously argued in his book Public Opinion that democracy was dangerous and that the everyperson's ideas needed to be shaped by elites. Lippmann was once the darling of the liberal establishment, and is it any wonder?

[Edward Champion · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'll have more to say about this when I eventually write my Modern Library essay, but I'll just say for now that I think PUBLIC OPINION is a far more perspicacious Lippmann volume and that Lippmann's thesis relies too much on generalizations about how humans forge their ethics. This feels short-sighted and dated -- given that this was published in 1929, before the Great Depression and the rise of fascism in Europe.

[David Alexander · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The unlovely quality of much modern religiosity is due to these doubts. So much of it's belief is synthetic. It is forced, made, insisted upon, because it is no longer simple and inevitable. The angry absurdities which fundamentalists propound against 'evolution' are not often due to their confidence in the inspiration of the Bible. They are due to lack of confidence, to doubt resisted like an annoying tune which a man cannot shake out of his head. For if the militant fundamentalists were utterly sure they are right, they would exhibit some of that composure which the truly devout display. Did they really trust their God, they would trust laws, politicians, and policemen less. But because their whole field of consciousness is trembling with uncertainties they are in a state of fret and fuss; their preaching is frousy, like the seductions of an old coquette."

-Walter Lippmann, A Preface to Morals, (1929), pg. 57

[Michael Holm · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Preface To Morals by Walter Lippmann (1929)

The reader this book addresses is a skeptic of any theistic fundamentalist religion which prescribes morality. In Part I, Lippmann does comment occasionally on problems that a fundamentalist view of Christianity has for him, but primarily he tries to show the skeptic the moral consequences of a rejection of fundamentalist faith. He is not satisfied with liberal theological solutions. In Part II, he advocates humanism based upon science. Part III includes an interesting discussion of the impact of birth control on sexual and marital relations since birth control (probably radical at the time) and concern about the political ramifications of our mass society.

His arguments are thorough and careful, at times long-winded (about 300 pages), but I found them very thought-provoking and helpful in clarifying, consolidating and reinforcing my own views. I highly recommend this book for those who have rejected a fundamentalist religion.

[Bruce Deming · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read excerpts of this book from which my father sat down and typed out about 16 pages of the text as some of it resonated deeply with his own thoughts on wrestling with ideas on humanism and morals, philosophy and religion. Perhaps it was in the 1980's that I received this in the mail from him.

Later i picked up the book in a used bookstore and browsed trhough ab it more of it myself.

The basic point I believe is be good to one another and do the right thing. Not a bad idea.

I am not sure he specifies what those right things are exactly it has been years since I looked through this book.

It is a respectable effort at making his point and has something to offer though perhaps not having all the answers for everyone. Basically
a fine, conscientious effort.

[Dan Yates · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book right out of college at about 22/23 years old. I didn't understand all of it at the time, but it got me started down the path of radical atheism. It's a tough read, but I recommend it to those serious about moral atheism. It was written in the 30's, but is still startlingly relevant.

[Lauren Albert · Rating 3 out of 5]

To be fair to Lippman, perhaps this book read as a revelation in 1929 when it was first published. But more than 80 years later, his call to humanism, and his portrayal of the failure of the traditional source of morality for most people, are old hat. But the book is also repetitious--perhaps for the same reason--perhaps he felt it necessary in 1929 to pull out all the armory.

[Jake Berlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amazingly relevant, given that it was written in the 1920s. I suppose that's because the moral underpinnings that Lippmann focuses on derive from reflections on human nature, which hasn't changed much, if at all. Very well written.

[Nate]

Very excited to lurk through this one. Rob gave me a copy with a dare I say "Tattered Cover" that is from 1929, which I believe is a first edition... The FOOL!

[Salad fingers · Rating 5 out of 5]

interesting read.

[S Glenn Krochmal · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book that changed my life

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still timely.