Jack London Manuscript, 1902, bulk 1902 3.00 Linear Feet
- Creator
- Jack London
- Abstract Or Scope
-
Noted American author Jack London (1876-1916) wrote a 31-page hand-written, manuscript-letter to Orlando Smith, offering a critique of his book, Eternalism. Topics discussed in this manuscript include evolution, eternal justice, morality, reason, social justice, survival of the fittest, determinism, and free will. Throughout the manuscript, London argues that justice is not innate but that it is in fact something developed by man through evolution. London explains that man imposes justice to achieve social control. In response to Smith's notion that the soul is eternal, London attests that if that is so, then man cannot be blamed for their actions, or sins, as goodness and badness is inherent in their souls. London asks such philosophical questions, like why bad things happen to innocent people, among other questions and comments he interjects in his meticulous response to Smith.
- Collection Context