Editorial October 19, 1946 Issue

Scientific Idealism

Margaret Morrison

Idealism without faith or foundation in the facts of Spirit limps between two standpoints and eventually leads to what is called disillusionment, heartbreak, or cynicism. Some cling steadfastly to their ideals hoping that in some future state those ideals may be realized; others drop them as impractical and unattainable and reach that state of pessimism which says: "Only dreamers believe that there is a way out. Optimism is cowardice." But true idealism is vastly more than mere optimism. It comes of a practical understanding of the nature of God and man as perfect Principle and perfect idea, indivisible in cause and effect. On page 307 of her book "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany" Mary Baker Eddy speaks of her mental struggle as she was "emerging from materia medica, dogma, and creeds" and says: "The fallacy of materia medica, its lack of science, and the want of divinity in scholastic theology, had already dawned on me. My idealism, however, limped, for then it lacked Science."

An idealism that limps! How well this describes the idealism of one who. not understanding the Science of Spirit, tries to progress with, as it were, one foot going in the way of matter and the other in the way of Spirit. He may have the highest of ideals, but he tries to realize them through the medium of matter. Is it any wonder that at times his efforts seem futile and his progress at best slow? Only he who bases his ideals on the oneness and allness of Spirit can progress uprightly and with joyous courage to the ultimate goal of the realism which is perfection.

On page 217 of "Miscellaneous Writings" Mrs. Eddy says: "True idealism is a divine Science, which combines in logical sequence, nature, reason, and revelation. An effect without a cause is inconceivable; neither philosophy nor reason attempts to find one; but all should conceive and understand that Spirit cannot become less than Spirit; hence that the universe of God is spiritual,—even the ideal world whose cause is the self-created Principle, with which its ideal or phenomenon must correspond in quality and quantity." Here is the firm, clear highway of idealism over which nations as well as individuals can progress without limping. This idealism is realism of the most practical nature, because it reflects that which is—the omnipotence, omnipresence, omniscience, and omniaction of God.

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