Spiritualization Has Made Man a Fool

The spiritualization of human existence has made man a

fool, it has taught him to spurn at matter, to contemn its power and

ridicule its essence; whereas, on the contrary, sound philosophy,

which unfolds the connection between man and nature, is calculated to

produce in the mind sentiments of respect and tranquillity; respect

for the aggregate of existence to which he belongs, and tranquillity

at the idea of an eternal interest in this indestructible mass. The

successive changes through which he is destined to pass, and the

impossibility of relinquishing his connection with nature, should

inspire him with feelings of universal sympathy, with sentiments of

universal benevolence. Human reason has an important duty to perform

in the institutions which it establishes; for these institutions will

effect in succession all the portions of matter destined to pass

through an organized predicament.

 --Elihu Palmer (1764-1806), Principles of Nature; or, A Development of the Moral Causes of Happiness and Misery Among the Human Species