Puerilism

With a word whose depth surpasses all logical understanding, Plato once called men the playthings of the gods. Today one might say that man everywhere uses the world as his plaything. Though the latter statement is much less profound, it is yet more than a superficial lamentation.

Puerilism we shall call the attitude of a community whose behavior is more immature than the state of its intellectual and critical faculties would warrant, which instead of making the boy into the man adapts its conduct to that of the adolescent age. The term has nothing to do with that of infantilism in psychoanalysis. It is based on the observation of evident cultural and sociological facts. We shall not attach any psychological implications to it.

Examples of current uses demanding the qualification of puerilism abound. The Normandie makes its maiden voyage and returns from its triumphal journey with a certain blue ribbon. Noble rivalry of nations, astonishing achievement of science! Shipbuilders, shipping companies, maritime specialists all agree that giant liners are impracticable in every respect. In winter the Normandie is laid up; it would not pay to run her. Thus one returns to the practice of early medieval shipping. The sailor's heart sickens to think that this floating palace should be called a ship. That the power of creation embodied in this achievement is impressive, yes, even inspiring, no one with any eye for modern culture will be able to deny. In the tremendous dimensions lies a beauty like that of the Pyramids; beauty there