Conscience & Fanaticism: An Essay on Moral Values

Conscience & Fanaticism: An Essay on Moral Values, published in 1919 by George Henry Lane Fox Pitt-Rivers, is a philosophical exploration of the complexities of moral values and the role of conscience in human behavior. The essay examines how individual morality interacts with societal influences and critiques the ways in which institutions like the State and the Church invoke conscience to justify actions. Pitt-Rivers highlights the duality of conscience, illustrating how it can lead to both virtuous behavior and fanaticism, ultimately urging readers to reflect on their moral beliefs and the critical importance of empathy in ethical discourse.