Twentieth century Europe′s moral penury

Puts forward the view that the atrocities committed in the twentieth century, particularly in Germany and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, were due to widespread acceptance of the Stoic doctrine that man was the measure of all things, a doctrine made popular by scholars of the Renaissance and the Enlightenment. Discusses the move from belief in original sin, a Supreme Being and the imperfection of man to man as essentially good and self‐perfectible, directed by his own reason. Highlights the effects of Communism and National Socialism and the rejection of traditional morality in favour of secular humanism. Concludes that this move led to the worst atrocities known to man. Advocates a return to the law of nature, a code of morality and the “moral compass” of religion which has perdured the test of time.