Moving the Mountain · Chapter
Chapter XI explained
John continues his education in the new social order, engaging in a deep conversation with Frank Borderson about the transformation of religion into a science of ethics and human relation.
What happens
John continues his education in the new social order, engaging in a deep conversation with Frank Borderson about the transformation of religion into a science of ethics and human relation. Frank explains his personal redemption through moral hygienists, describing a society where sin is obsolete and love is understood as social energy. John also learns about the social acceptance of Frank and his wife, and consults a reactionary professor, Morris Banks, about the historical transition to socialism, which occurred with surprisingly little violent resistance.
Themes in this chapter
The Role of Religion and Ethics
The chapter extensively discusses the transformation of religion into a science of ethics, focusing on social duty and human connection rather than personal sin and divine judgment.
Collectivism vs. Individualism
Frank Borderson explicitly states that the mistakes of the past lay in 'belated individualism' and that ethics cannot be predicated on individuals, highlighting the shift to a collective social consciousness.
Human Nature and Educability
The conversation reveals a belief that human nature is not fixed but can be educated and improved, as seen in the concept of moral sanitariums and the idea that a 'growing race grew that way'.
Characters to notice
- Brother John
Continues to question and learn about the new social and ethical order, struggling to reconcile it with his old beliefs.
- Frank Borderson
Explains the new ethics as a science, sharing his personal story of redemption and his work as a moral hygienist.
- Nellie Robertson
Provides John with background information on Frank and his wife, confirming their social acceptance and the nature of their relationship.
- Morris Banks
A reactionary old professor who gives John an account of the transition to socialism, noting the lack of violent resistance.
Key passages
“I don’t call it a religion, my dear fellow! It’s a science, like any other science. Ethics is the science of human relation. It is called applied sociology—that’s all.”
Frank clarifies that the new ethical system is not a religion but a science of human relationships, known as applied sociology.
This highlights the central theme of the chapter: the redefinition of religion as a practical science.
“All our mistakes lay in our belated individualism. You cannot predicate ethics of individuals; you cannot fulfill any religion as individuals.”
Frank argues that the past errors were due to an outdated focus on the individual, as ethics and religion can only be realized collectively.
This quote encapsulates the shift from individualism to collectivism that is central to the new society.
“No ‘sin’—think of that! Just let it sink in. No such thing as sin. … We had, collectively and privately, made mistakes, and done the wrong thing, often. What of it?”
Frank explains that the concept of sin has been abolished, replaced by the understanding that mistakes are a natural part of growth and learning.
This is a key point in the chapter, illustrating the new ethical framework that focuses on social duty rather than personal guilt.