Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 40:157 (Jan 1883)
Article: Positivism As A Working System
Author: Francis Howe Johnson

BSac 40:157 (Jan 1883) p. 58

Positivism As A Working System

Rev. F. H. Johnson

“A sense of duty is inherent in the constitution of our nature, and cannot be escaped till we can escape from ourselves. It does not wait on any ontological conditions, and incur the risk of non-existence should no assurance be gained with regard to a being and a life beyond us. Even though we came out of nothing, and returned to nothing, we should be subject to the claim of righteousness so long as we are what we are.

Morals have their own base, and are second to nothing. Does it follow that because morals are indigenous they are therefore self-sufficing? By no means. Though religion is not their foundation, it is assuredly their crown.” — James Martineau.

In a former article the religion offered by modern positivism was compared with the politico-ethical system of Confucius. In this comparison I endeavored to show that these systems offer striking points of resemblance; and further, that these points of resemblance, far from being confined to the surface, are the outcome of essential and fundamental agreements. It was not claimed that the two systems, or the conditions affecting them, are identical, but that they are so nearly alike that we are justified in affirming that the results which have flowed from the one are substantially the results which would flow from the adoption of the other.

BSac 40:157 (Jan 1883) p. 59

It was also claimed that this radical agreement of Confucianism and positivism is a fact of great importance in its bearing on some modern discussions; especially on that of the question as to the probable results of an elimination from modern thought of the belief in a personal God and personal immortality. It was shown that the discussion of this problem had hitherto been confined mainly to the region of speculation, and that while thus confined, the results arrived at by different thinkers had displayed diversities of opinion about as marked as could possibly be expressed in language, ranging all the way from the anticipation of a consequent elevation of society to a prophecy of its general decay and disruption; and therefore, that the results arrived at by the workings of Chinese positivism supply us with a much needed aid for forming a true estimate of the validity of the claims of modern positivism, and of the probable results to society of its adoption in the place of Christianity.

The object of the present article will be an exhibition of the successes and of the failures of Confucianism; and, in connection with this, some application of the facts brought out, first, to the theories of those who prophesy the worst things of positivism, and second, to the claims of its advocates.