The Sovereignty of Good Will

Abstract

The period since 1914 may come to be known as the time when the average man became important. During that period, it has seemed at times as if civilization was threatened by the very ramifications of its successes. The abundant talents of the men mainly responsible for those successes, the specialists, have seemed to yield in the end nothing but sterility. They have given us the instruments of a more generous life, but we have found that they carnnot give us more than the instruments. The achievement of that life appears, more than ever, to hang upon the ability of the plain citizen to discern and deal with the issues posed by the complexities of modern life. This is one reason why Abraham Lincoln, more than any other of the American heroes, holds increasing significance for our time. For Lincoln exemplifies completely the capacity for growth of the ordinary man.