Material Progress and the New Morality: Russia as Probing Ground

Abstract

John Lachs’s essay is a wonderful expression of the mind and soul of an outstanding philosopher and American. My long-term friendship with John Lachs is the best evidence, in my own eyes, that his every moral judgment is proved with his practical deeds and public positions. His every sentence is full of hidden or even open passion that goes beyond the rationalized boundaries of formal philosophy. This is a rare and precious case in our life today and thus it should be emphasized. In return, I would like to repay John Lachs with the same passion. After reading and rereading his essay I concluded that my reply should also go beyond a formal disciplinary, academic framework. My response to his essay is also rooted in passion, but the source of my inspiration is slightly different. John Lachs questions the problem of moral progress and the possibility of optimism from, and for, almost a pure American perspective—i.e., a rather balanced society in the state of seemingly perpetual economic growth. I agree that such a state may raise issues concerning moral improvement and the relation of moral improvement to material growth and progress. Does moral progress parallel economic growth? Alternatively, is there perhaps a reverse relation? In a different place, from a different perspective, is there a different relation?