| Description |
The Reynolds Lectureship "In these lectures, as the years go by, new knowledge, important subjects, and vital issues will be discussed. It is more than likely that some of these issues may be controversial in nature, about which differences of opinion and strong feeling may exist. But even upon such questions it is proposed that the speaker shall be free to approach his subject with intellectual courage and vigor and advance any ideas which he can support with facts and logic. "It is assumed, of course, that good taste shall not be violated, that propaganda in the narrower sense shall never intrude, and that due regard to the rights and feelings of others shall always be evident. But as long as the treatment of a subject is intelligent, objective, and critical, it is assumed that the speaker shall be free to follow facts and reasoning through to their conclusion. "If such a policy, perchance, shall change some of our beliefs â€" then so be it. For beliefs are the framework upon which we do our thinking. Many present beliefs are the product of other times and other conditions â€" useful then, perhaps, but possibly hampering now. When certain beliefs hinder the effective use of intelligence or hamper our adjustment to new conditions in a rapidly changing world, then more helpful beliefs become priceless â€" and desirable even at the expense of some temporary loss of tranquility. "The products of intellectual activity and scientific investigation are to be brought here, not the reiteration of uncritical traditional views. On no other basic premise can a Frederick William Reynolds Lecture be true to its name â€" or be even worthy of its name." From introductory remarks by H. L. Marshall, late President of the Federick William Reynolds Association, at the first annual lecture, December, 1935. |
