Sinton, W: Teapot Philosophy, Vol. 1

Excerpt from Teapot Philosophy, Vol. 1: With Supplementary Thoughts and Suggestions

I might judge accurately when black means white or the reverse, no one could tell me.

The second was, if white means black at one time and at another white, why not rewrite these rules and regulations for conduct, definitely stating when black means black and white black? To this also I found no solution. The result to a simple and honest mind was bewildering in the extreme.

The third that forced itself upon me was that the majority of people were living a treadmill life, and were not conscious of the fact. That this habit or routine gov erned their conduct, not what they professed to believe.

Now, the object in publishing the following poems or rhymed letters is to awaken people to this fact. 80 that when once aroused they may set to Work and solve the problem, viz.: What should be the governing factor in all action? What should be the rule of conduct? If habit and feeling, then let us throw all profession of law and reason overboard and manfully confess that we are living according to our desires and habits. This logically would mean the survival of the fittest, irrespective of any supposed standard of right and wrong. Or else, make our desires and habits conform to the highest reason, which is law and the only true conscience.

Either of these positions would be honest and manly compared with the position we now take of sitting astride the fence, ready to jump down on whichever side suits us best for the moment.

If this book succeeds in aiding even one fellow being in reaching the true solution of these bewildering and vital difficulties, I am repaid for its publication.

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