Publisher's Synopsis
The name of this work does not give a wholly adequate idea of its scope. It is a review of social economics, and philosophic It is a review of social economics, and philosophic systems of thought, metaphysical, religious, and utilitarian. It is a work that will probably provoke a great deal of curiosity and discussion on account of the daring reasoning of the author. He is a man of scientific training, and of very pronounced materialistic views. His especial field in natural science is apparently biology, and it is upon deductions made from the phenomena of this science that his review of the different factors entering into religion and sociology is based.
It is a novel and suggestive work of considerable social importance for its honest thinking and philosophic emphasis of the anti-social character of the extreme evolutionary school of individualistic politico-economic thought. The author is an ultra individualist and materialist, and he accepts the logical conclusions of the individualist philosophy of life without any intellectual hypocrisy or cant. His work is therefore of importance tq thinkers of every other shade of opinion-Christians, agnostics, moderate individualistic economists, socialists, Christian socialists, Although his intellectual bent is toward extreme individualism, the author shows in his investigation of biologic testimony and evolution the impartial spirit of the investigator, desirous only of reaching the facts regardless of pre-conceptions and theories. It is this quality in his work which gives value to his speculations in the sphere of social ethics, which he attempts to prove have their origin and are supported, in so far as they are recognized and supported, in a purely material conception of utility - of individual self-preservation and convenience.
"How Shall the Rich Escape?" is one of those books that appear at long intervals, which by their absolute denial of any principle of altruism make even individualists (particularly those professing Christianity) rub their eyes and set about examining and reviewing the facts of life for themselves. Dr. Billings is a sincere thinker, and like Mill and other agnostic and utilitarian writers, he has a high purpose, and his criticism is a good tonic.
-The Arena, Volume 10 [1894]
