SANTAYANA, George (1863-1952). Autograph letter signed (“Santayana”), to [Alfred A.?] Knopf. Rome, 30 May 1931. 1 page, 8vo, with received stamp dated 11 June 1931, small tears along top edge.

GODS AND ROBOTS AFTER ALL NEED NOT BE DIVIDED

A critique of Alexander Goldenweiser’s work Robots or Gods, presumably sent to the publisher, Alfred A. Knopf: “I have read Dr. Goldenweiser’s book, and although I still don’t know what Robots are, I see that he reads a great many intellectually exciting authors and Is animated himself by a very reasonable spirit...There seem to be two distinct questions to consider. The first is the relation of mentality in general to physical life or behaviour: on this question, Dr. Goldenweiser seems to me to be sound, though perhaps not so incisive and clear as would be desirable. The other question is moral and political: Do you like the loss of neutrality that goes with industrialization? I don’t gather anything very definite on that point, though I have some idea that he would allow the industrial age to create and enjoy its own gods: so that Gods and Robots after all need not be divided. If so, I should agree with him: but those gods need not be our gods if we are romantic, and certainly cannot be our God, if we are Christians. Would Dr. Goldenweiser write another book to prove that?”

SANTAYANA, George (1863-1952). Autograph letter signed (“Santayana”), to [Alfred A.?] Knopf. Rome, 30 May 1931. 1 page, 8vo, with received stamp dated 11 June 1931, small tears along top edge.