The text is from my copy of Peter Kropotkin, Ethics: Origins and
Development, London: George E Harrap Co, Ltd.
Ethics: Origin and Development
by Peter Kropotkin
TRANSLATORS' PREFACE
Kropotkin's "Ethics: Origin and Development," is, in a sense, a
continuation of his well-known work, "Mutual Aid as a Factor of
Evolution." The basic ideas of the two books are closely connected,
almost inseparable, in fact: -- the origin and progress of human
relations in society. Only, in the "Ethics" Kropotkin approaches his
theme through a study of the ideology of these relations.
The Russian writer removes ethics from the sphere of the speculative
and metaphysical, and brings human conduct and ethical teaching back to
its natural environment: the ethical practices of men in their everyday
concerns -- from the time of primitive societies to our modern highly
organized States. Thus conceived, ethics becomes a subject of universal
interest; under the kindly eyes and able pen of the great Russian
scholar, a subject of special and academic study becomes closely linked
to whatever is significant in the life and thought of all men.
The circumstances leading to the conception and writing of this book
are discussed by the Russian editor, N. Lebedev, whose Introduction is
included in this volume. The present translators have availed
themselves of Kropotkin's two articles on Ethics contributed to the
Nineteenth Century, 1905-06. They found, however, that the
author had made very many changes in the first three chapters of his
book -- in substance, a reproduction of the magazine articles- and they
thought it best to make the necessary alterations and additions called
for by the Russian text. These three chapters preserve the English and
the turns of phrase of the magazine articles.
In preparing this edition the translators consulted all of the books
mentioned by Kropotkin; they verified all his citations, and corrected
a number of errors that crept into the Russian original owing to the
absence of the author's supervising care. As is generally known, the
book appeared after Kropotkin's death. The translators have added such
additional footnotes as they thought would prove of value and interest
to the English reader. They have made every attempt to discover and
cite the best, most readily available English versions of the books
referred to by the author. These added notes and comments are enclosed
in brackets, and are usually marked, -- Trans. Note. In
addition, the Index has been carefully revised and augmented.
A multitude of books had to be consulted in the faithful discharge
of the translators' duties. And for these, many librarians -- those
most obliging and patient of mortals-were pestered. The translators
wish to record their thanks to Mr. Howson, Mr. Frederic W. Erb, Miss
Erb, and Mr. Charles F. Claar -- all of Columbia University Library,
and to Mr Abraham Mill of the Slavonic division of the New York Public
Library. They and their assistants have been very helpful and kind. In
the preparation of the manuscript the translators were fortunate to
have the competent assistance of Miss Ann Bogel and Miss Evelyn
Friedland --always vigilant in the discovery and eradication of errors.
Madam Sophie G. Kropotkin and Madam Sasha Kropotkin -- wife and
daughter of Peter Kropotkin -- followed the progress of this edition;
they have been ever gracious and helpful. It is their hope that, at
some time in the near future, Kropotkin's last essays on Ethics will be
issued in English translation. And indeed, our literature and thought
will be richer for the possession of all of Kropotkin's writings. His
work -- fine and thorough and scholarly as it is -- is only less
inspiring than the ennobling memory of his life and character.
Louis S. Friedland
Joseph R. Piroshnikoff
New York
May 1924
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