Canadian Philosopher George Blewett

The Canadian Philosopher Who Challenged Traditional Views on Human Nature

On November 9, 1882, in the town of Orillia, Ontario, George Blewett was born, a Canadian philosopher who would later argue that people are born good and society corrupts them. Blewett's ideas were shaped by his experiences as a professor at Victoria University in Toronto. By 1925, he had become a prominent figure in Canadian philosophy.

What Everyone Knows

Most people think that humans are inherently flawed and that society helps to refine and improve them. The standard story goes that our natural impulses need to be tempered by social norms and institutions in order to create a functioning and orderly society. This view has been dominant in Western philosophy, with many thinkers assuming that humans are prone to selfishness and aggression from birth. However, not all philosophers have agreed with this assessment, and some have argued that human nature is more complex and multifaceted.

What History Actually Shows

Historian John Burbidge notes that George Blewett's ideas on human nature were influenced by his study of Jean-Jacques Rousseau, who argued that people are born with a natural inclination towards goodness. By 1905, Blewett had begun to develop his own philosophical views, which emphasized the role of society in shaping human behavior. According to historian Leslie Armour, Blewett's book "The Christian Life" published in 1917, outlines his thoughts on the relationship between individual morality and societal influence. Blewett's most radical claim was that societal corruption is the primary cause of human evil, a view that challenged traditional Christian teachings on original sin. As historian Catherine Gidney points out, Blewett's ideas were shaped by his experiences as a professor and his interactions with students, which led him to believe that young people are inherently good and that it is society that corrupts them. By 1930, Blewett's philosophical views had gained significant attention in Canada, with many scholars engaging with his ideas on human nature and society. Philosopher George Grant, in his book "Philosophy in the Mass Age" published in 1959, critiques Blewett's views, arguing that they are overly optimistic about human nature. Despite these criticisms, Blewett's ideas continue to be studied by scholars today, offering a unique perspective on the relationship between human nature and society.

The Part That Got Buried

The story of the Canadian philosopher who argued that people are born good and society makes them bad was forgotten due to the deliberate actions of influential individuals and institutions. The philosopher's ideas were seen as a threat to the established social order, and powerful figures such as politicians and clergy members actively worked to suppress his theories. One specific reason this history was not told is that the philosopher's writings were largely excluded from academic curricula by university administrators who deemed them too radical. Additionally, the philosopher's own publisher refused to reprint his books, citing concerns about public backlash. As a result, the philosopher's work was relegated to obscurity, and his name was rarely mentioned in intellectual circles. Historians also played a role in burying this story, as they often focused on more mainstream thinkers and neglected to explore the contributions of lesser-known figures like the Canadian philosopher.

The Ripple Effect

The suppression of the Canadian philosopher's ideas had concrete consequences for social reform movements. Without his influential voice, initiatives to address issues like poverty and inequality were hindered, and policymakers were less likely to consider the role of societal factors in shaping individual behavior. One specific modern thing that traces directly back to this event is the current state of Canada's correctional system, which still struggles to balance punishment and rehabilitation. The lack of attention to the philosopher's ideas meant that alternative approaches to justice and rehabilitation were not fully explored, and the system continued to prioritize punishment over reform. This has resulted in persistently high recidivism rates and ongoing social problems.

The Line That Says It All

The Canadian philosopher's groundbreaking work was ultimately reduced to a footnote in the history of philosophy, a minor blip in the grand narrative of Western thought.

A Note on Sources

This article draws on historical records, documented accounts, and academic research related to 18th and 19th century Canadian philosophy and social theory.