The architecture of humanism; a study in the history of taste

THE ETHICAL FALLACY

163

the scope of our morality. This sop, which that

Cerberus

unchastised shows

little

disposition

to

accept,maynowbeprofferedinconclusion.

Values (whetherin life orart) are obviously not

all compatible at their intensest points. Delicate

grace and massive strength, calm and adventure,

dignity

and humour, can only co-exist by large

concessions

onboth sides.

Greatarchitecture, like

great character, has been achieved not by a too

inclusive

grasp

at

all values, but by a supreme

realisation of a few.

In art, as in life, the chief

problemis aright choicein sacrifices. Civilisation

isthe

organisationofvalues. Inlife,andinthearts,

civilisation blendsagroupof

compatiblevaluesinto

some

kindofsustainedandsatisfyingpattern,forthe

sakeof

whichit requiresgreatrejections. Civilisa-

tionweavesthis

patternalikeinlifeandinthearts

;

but

withadifferenceintheresults. Thepatternthat

is realised

in conduct is dissipated with each new

experiment; the pattern that

is realised in art

endures.

, Ourpresentexperiment

indemocratic ethicsmay

bethebestwhichthefactsoflifeafford: oritmay

notbethe

best,

andyetbenecessary. But,ineither

case,thoughmorality

inactionmaystandcommitted

toacompromise,the imagination of

morality need

havenosuchrestrictions.

Itshouldhavesome

sense

ofthevaluesitisforcedtosubordinateor

toreject.