rTHE
TO
WILL
OTHER
AND
BELIEVE
ESSAYS
POPULAR
IN
PHILOSOPHY
BY
WILLIAM
JAMES
sr
LONGMANS,
FOURTH
GREEN,
AVENUE
LONDON,
""
30TH
BOMBAY,
STREET,
AND
I9IO
AND
NEW
CALCUTTA
CO.
YORK
1896,
Copyright,
February,
Edition,
First
Reprinted,
May,
March,
1897
September,
1897,
1898,
January,
March,
James.
William
By
August,
May,
1903,
1904,
June,
June,
1902,
1905,
April, 1908
1907,
September,
1899,
and
1897,
1909,
December,
1910
WLtitiomity freest
John
THE
Wilson
Son,
and
Cambridge,
LIBRARY
i/"*
ikiiiirn^iTW
U.S.A.
To
Old
My
SANDERS
CHARLES
and
to
writings
whose
PEIRCE,
in
owe
help
and
more
I
can
express
or
old
recent
more
incitement
in
comradeship
philosophic
whose
To
Friend,
repay.
years
than
times
PREFACE.
of
most
AT
formed
branches
of
of
being
made
inviting
such
accepted
in
seemed
to
of collection
worthy
light
a
technical
I
in
'
as
future
the
of
taken
and
time
course
dis-
my
Reviews.
might
shed
in
It
be
now
tory
explana-
together
attitude
doctrine
fact
because
conclusions
liable
of
that
monism
of
express
very
brief
than
in
it is contented
modification
*
say
un-
itself
as
an
attitude
cism,
empiri-
nicknames
philosophy.
to
matters
in
radical/
the
radical
such
concerning
to
and
to
name
it that
misleading
more
experience
short
call
the
empiricism,'
hypotheses
give
to
should
spite
assured
most
the
often
to
had
they
as
philosophic
obliged
nowhere
say
time
addresses
volume,
other,
definite
question,
are
some
way.
Were
in
each
upon
tolerably
in
these
able
laud-
occasion
from
of
the
year
afterwards
other
particular
the
Clubs
are
have
twice
or
and
or
that
clubs
I have
one.
one
me
to
them,
invitations,
printed
devoted
once
address
public
there
these
and
to
Colleges
students
learning
scholar
maturer
the
by
custom
has
American
our
the
because
regard
of
course
its
fact
of
it treats
hypothesis,
and,
viii
Preface.
unlike
much
so
under
current
scientific
or
monism
has got to
of the
square.
difference
between
monism
collection ; and
of any
higher thinkingconsists
our
in
brilliant dashes
spiteof
in its
undiscovered, stillremains
"
quite
be the
must
concerning
has
direction,stillremains
"
After
it.
all that
the
been
reason
do
can
opacity of
the
as
'
to the other.
externalityand datum
The
is never
wholly banished.
negative,the alogical,
"call it fate,chance, freedom, spontaSomething
neity,
remains
bare
"
will
you
"
"
is stillwrong
unincluded, from
and
point of
view, even
though you be the greatest of philosophers.
fact and
givenness; and
Something is always mere
there may
be in the whole
universe
no
one
point of
view
and
extant
be the
case.
outside
from
"
and
which
Reason,"
this would
as
not
your
be
giftedwriter
found
to
"
says,
is
Preface.
but
item
one
that
consciousness
hope
and
is miracle
bring
the different.
lathe
gains
that
of
I call
of
not
ever
for his
der
won-
save
to
er's
engrav-
hair, but
whole
the
curve,
*
quite."
pressed.
rhapsodically extion
hypothesis the no-
form
eternal
an
the
of the
empiricist.For
remains
not
of the
round
over
permanent
radical
experience
There
back
"
returns
same
breadth
takes
it is the
and
Not
slow
the
but
who
est
proud-
inevitable stales,
while
pluralism, somewhat
is
He
what
The
instant true,
an
This
all ; the
is distributed
difference
the
unfortunatelythe
game-flavoredas a hawk's wing.
"
Nature
never
The
sisters.
are
is wild,
universe
behind
reigned,reason
ever
face to face.
blushed
doubt
ix
him
world
the
element
is
crudity
thereof.
no
'
monistic
Many
smile
at
form.
of my
the
artlessness
But
they
trained
professionally
irrationalism
of my
should
of
in
essays
be taken
as
this
point
confrereswill
view, and at the
of technical
form.
B. P. Blood
Amsterdam,
N.
The
Flaw
Y., 1893.
in
Supremacy
Published
by
the Author,
Preface.
argued
mg
desire,and
share
to
in
technical
as
possiblyI
Meanwhile
of that work.
lightup
with
may
shape as
be spared
certain
dramatic
it visible
and make
itself,
these
later
do
to
can
one
any
seem
essays
realitythe
alongsideof
the
tude
atti-
higher
and
lower
need
that the
into
them
away.
and
blow
academic
But
have
northwest
very
wind
their
be broken
of science
sickliness
and
up
and
should
need.
get
barbarism
different
tilated,
ven-
on
ence,
sci-
Paralysisof their
native
abulia in the
capacity for faith and timorous
ness,
religiousfield are their specialforms of mental weakbrought about by the notion, carefullyinstilled,
that there
is
something
by
xi
Preface.
them
It does
not
vice
in
is the
of
measure
follow, because
soldiers,that
wisdom
our
recklessness
ought
courage
as
men.
be
may
be
to
never
should
be preached is
What
preached to them.
weighted with responsibility,such courage
courage
failed to show
the Nelsons and Washingtons never
as
that
taken everything into account
after they had
might tell againsttheir success, and made every provision
disaster in case
to minimize
they met defeat.
of preachcan
I do not think that any one
accuse
me
ing
reckless faith. I have preached the rightof the
individual to indulgehis personalfaith at his personal
"
risk.
I have
that
the kinds
discussed
none
of
us
have
eyed
than
to act
as
if
escape
of risk ; I have
all of them;
and
did
not
know
tended
con-
open-
them
to
be
there.
After
all,though, you
will say,
Why
such
an
ado
we
concerning which, however
may
differ,we all practically
theoretically
agree? In this
scientist will ever
no
try activelyto
age of toleration,
interfere with our
religiousfaith,provided we enjoy
it quietlywith our
friends and do not make
a
lic
pubnuisance of it in the market-place. But it is just
this matter
of the market-placethat I think the
on
If reliutilityof such essays as mine may turn.
about
matter
xii
Preface.
gious hypothesesabout
all, then
the
active
the
faiths of
freelyexpressing themselves
tests by which
they
by which
The
wrought out.
which, as we
say,
means
otherwise
knowledge
have
of
before
the
life,are
verified,and
falsehood
or
scientific
works'
of
crumbled
the
men.
maintained
and
truest
in
best;
them,
experimental
the only
can
hypothesisis
and
it
can
at
be
be
that
no
tory
religioushypotheses. Religious histhat one
hypothesis after another has
ill,has
minds
truth
in order
individuals
in
are
be
with
proves
worked
their
'
universe
possess
world,
Some
at
and
it is for the
more
*
has
articles
themselves
even
contact
science
with
widening
tude,
through every vicissivitality
to-day than ever
! to tell us
of religions
the freeMeanwhile
justwhich hypothesesthese are.
faiths with one
est competition of the various
another,
and their openest applicationto life by their several
favorable conditions
under
champions, are the most
which
the survival of the fittest can
proceed. They
ought therefore not to lie hid each under its bushel,
indulged-inquietlywith friends. They ought to live
in publicity,
to
vying with each other; and it seems
that (the regime of tolerance
me
once
granted,and
a fair field shown) the scientist has
nothing to fear for
his own
interests from
the liveliest possible state of
Those
in the religious
fermentation
world of his time.
faiths will best stand the test which adopt also his hypothese
of their
make
them
and
integralelements
He
should welcome
therefore every species of
own.
ing
religiousagitationand discussion,so long as he is willto allow that some
hypothesis may be
religious
vlA
Preface.
la
eyes.
Of
there
xiii
course
all such
With
allies outside
are
scientists,as
well
as
with
their
of science, my
man
true
are
of nations
of which
and
historic
over-beliefs.
epochs ;
and
the
The
the
same
is
excesses
individuals and
particular
epochs are
guiltyare compensated in the total,and become
fitable
proin the long run.
to mankind
The
On
some
Hegelisms doubtless needs
essay
with which it treats a
an
apology for the superficiality
serious subject. It was
written as a squib,to be read
in a college-seminary
in Hegel'slogic,
several of whose
devout champions of the
members, mature
were
men,
dialectical method.
aimed
My blows therefore were
almost entirely
at that. I reprintthe paper here (albeit
with some
I believe the
partly because
misgivings),
dialectical method
be wholly abominable
when
to
worked
by concepts alone, and partly because the
positivelighton the pluralist-empiricist
essay casts some
point of view.
'
'
Preface.
xiv
The
volume
for
study
play
of
its
in
some
The
can.
of
need
of
and
I wish
for
gain
of the
if my
it will
thereto,
to
this
me
it what
Society
article
have
the
fair
convince
to
to
and
to
sportsmanlike
Branch
support,
added
Attracted
enough
seen
associates
new
love
American
more
is
utility.
my
importance,
great
I
by
have
Research
and
ago
years
science,
interest
is
convenience
some
in
Psychical
on
paper
draws
served
its
turn.
is
Apology
same
also
in
passage
100-1).
My
the
forcible,
The
W.
M.
in
the
so
to
(who
Salter
*
Index'
for
of
Sand's
George
p.
one's
on
employed
is
174
"
1882),
reminiscence
is
due
"
press
ex-
manner
dreamnovel
some
read
Mr.
to
the
and
from
forget which
96-7,
equally
similar
the
words.
62
it in
24,
and
seem
former
page
of
always
that
ways
copy
August
repetition
cannot
one
in two
Crillon-quotation
on
by
me
thirty
ago.
the
Finally,
almost
page
is that
has
one
the
(pp. 59-61
essays
thought
metaphor
years
two
excuse
same
for
needed
of
entirely
in
excisions.
half
in
all of
and
Harvard
revision
the
new
University,
Cambridge,
Massachusetts,
December,
1896.
has
essays
Probably
matter
has
consisted
less
been
than
added.
CONTENTS.
PAGB
Will
The
Believe
to
and
Hypotheses
8.
veto,
Essay,
options,
Psychological
its
of
and
of
of risks
sorts
Faith
19.
conditions
the
tude
certi-
Objective
12.
different
Two
Logical
verification, 22.
own
Thesis
belief/"9J)
unavoidable,
risk
Some
Clifford's
5.
wager,
absolutism,
unattainability,13.
believing, ifh
its
Pascal's
I.
causes
Empiricism
II,
and
forth
bring
may
of
in
religious
belief, 25.
Is
Life
Living
Worth
life
cure,
39.
to
bent
one
Decay
suicide ?
on
of
Natural
pessimism, 46.
of the
and
Optimism
Temperamental
with
32
..."
38.
involves
Scientific
How
33.
reconcile
and
Religious melancholy
Theology,
Religion
world, 51.
Pessimism,
Instinctive
43.
belief
in
an
positivism, 52.
its
antidotes
sion
exten-
unseen
Doubt
actuates
conduct
much
as
logicallyabsurd,
belief
as
for
they
does, 54.
make
their
deny
To
certain
faiths
is
sion,
Conclu-
61.
The
Sentiment
Rationality
66.
Clearness,
68.
theory
restore
The
cannot
the
76.
Rationality
of
Their
banish
thinking, 63.
antagonism, 66.
thought
feeling
'
fluent
means
6$
of
of
Substance,'
7 5.
The
rationality,75.
80.
Inadequacy
nonentity, 71.
wonder,
rational
Simplification,65.
Mysticism,
passage
to
must
the
stract,
ab-
74.
Pure
practice
may
Familiarity
world
of
and
appear
ancy,
expectcon-
Contents.
xvi
with
gruous
Faith
88.
man,
is
of
one
96.
May verifyitself,
Is this
101.
Reflex
moral
Action
universe
versus
Conclusion,
107.
necessary,
Its
a
these
But
The
Dilemma
Philosophiesseek
Indeterminism
involves
The
Moral
Contrast
to
assumption
world
The
mind's
Gnosticism,
134.
rational
defined,
Conclusion,
ultimate
an
are
postulates of
ality,
ration-
Determinism
considered, 153.
via
A
Providence,
and
142.
and
Subjectivism,164.
world
with
patible
incom-
not
180.
Life
Moral
the
jectivism
Sub-
in it is
chance
Chance
alternative,
176.
Philosopher
137.
Determinism
world, 146.
chance
less irrational
129.
145
Both
149.
as
three
subjectivedemand,
God
action,113.
between
120.
extremes,
of neural
ends, 140.
practical
Objectionsto
morally the
problem
Determinism
of
152.
the
Active
107.
God,
due
two
No
does
in
Science
between
mean
what
"
energy,
conceived, 118.
as
departments, 123.
a
no.
Plan
Prestigeof Physiology,112.
the mind's
adequate object,116.
Theism
to
man
Theism
and
perceivedand
differ from
Anaesthesia
? 103.
mean
82.
powers,
our
184
gin
philosopherpostulatesa unified system, 185. Oriof moral
created
and
ills are
by
judgments, 185. Goods
created
The
demands,
are
judgments, 189. Obligations
by
192.
conflict of ideals, 198. Its solution,205.
Impossibilityof an
abstract system of Ethics, 208.
The
ous
easy-goingand the strenuThe
moral
mood,
/ Great
Men
211.
Connection
and
their
of
Solidarity
causes
in order
Nature,
and
220.
225.
the
When
explain,219.
Different
distinction
preserve
environment
adopted
Ethics
and
Religion,212.
216
Environment
Darwin's
that
causes
produce,
to
between
between
variation,221.
only adopts or
they become
The
mind
human
stracts
ab-
cyclesof operationin
that produce
causes
causes
Physiological
preserves,
great
men,
Messrs.
xvii
Contents.
and
Spencer
zanowski
quoted,
Importance
The
world
negation
280.
lution,
evo-
Darwin's
views,
251.
255
important,
because
they
Individual
256.
the
are
ences
differof
causes
social
justified, 261.
263
and
The
as
268.
bond
and
"
Note
the
Research
The
unclassified
Research
and
Gurney's
work,
diumship,
313.
work,
The
its
309.
The
320.
The
The
personal-romantic
of
of
He
totality,
accident
in
The
303.
census
Society
clusion,
Con-
hallucinations,
self,' 315.
The
Psychical
308.
scientific
Me-
312.
'Science'
character
mechanical-impersonal
view,
for
299
Thought-transference,
of
277.
294.
299.
in
of
Hegel,
286.
Negation,
revelation,
unity
makes
Accomplished
'subliminal
317.
fallacy
Anaesthetic
has
history,
272.
principle
infinite, 284.
residuum,
counter-presumptions,
the
273.
bad
on
The
of
Elements
claims,
excessive
279.
the
264.
pluralism,
union,
pluralism,
Psychical
Myers's
Hegel's
of
good
292.
Index
be
may
appears
Monism
versus
and
Spencer's
of
Gry-
Mental
244.
ideas
original
Criticism
Hero-worship
pluralism,
What
history,
and
Hegelisms
some
the
between
important
259.
of
Wallace
Individuals
differences
change,
Messrs.
232.
laws
247.
of
are
On
239.
variations,
Small
The
Analogy
245.
accidental
The
criticised,
Allen
view
and
her
of
Mr.
of
life
324.
329
intellect may
have
not
been
Believe/ accordingly,is
I have
got well
have
as
rule
'
The
Will
faith ;
imbued
with
refused
to
but
the
admit
as
soon
as
logical spirit,
my
contention
lawful
to
be
of
fact
of
some
philosophically,even
though in point
they were
personally all the time chock-full
faith
other
or
themselves.
all
^X^m
to
more
than
open
me
clear.
those
I will be
deal.
I must
to
title of my
paper.
students
the lawfulness
own
my
to
long defended
of voluntarilyadopted
have
they
they
the
coerced.
good occasion
Perhaps your
with
as
which
minds
has
will be
more
had
to
I can,
though
technical
tions
distinc-
as
some
my
ments
state-
my
hitherto
I have
little technical
begin by setting up
that will help us in the
make
to
the
end.
I.
of hypothesis
to anything that
give the name
tricians
be proposed to our
belief; and just as the elecspeak of live and dead wires, let us speak of
A
live hypothesi
hypothesis as either live or dead.
which
is one
to
appeals as a real possibility
If I ask you
it is proposed.
to believe
to whom
Let
"-
may
any
him
in the
us
Mahdi,
with
one
among
shows
are
makes
notion
nature,
"
no
it refuses
electric
to
tion
connec-
scintillate with
pletely
hypothesis it is comdead.
To
Arab, however
an
(even if he be
the hypothesis is
of the Mahdi's
followers),
This
the
it is alive.
mind's
possibilities:
that
liveness
in an
deadness
and
esis
hypothintrinsic properties,but relations to the
not
credibilityat
any
not
your
the
all.
As
an
The
individual thinker.
to
Will
to
Believe.
They
are
measured
The
act.
maximum
of
3
ingness
by his will-
liveness
in
an
hypothesis
act
means
all.
at
two
Next, let us call the decision between
eses
hypothbe of several kinds.
an
option. Options may
They may be
1, living or dead ; 2, forced or avoid"
able
3, momentous
call an
may
or
trivial ; and
for
our
purposes
when
it is
we
live
are
.phistor
be
alive.
be
Christian,"it
you
it is
for you
neither
But if I say : " Be
is otherwise
hypothesis makes
Be
agnostic or
an
as
you
appeal, however
some
theoso-
probably a dead
hypothesis is likely
trained
"
are,
be
each
small,
to
belief.
your
Next, if I
2.
out
to
Mohammedan,"
option,because
to
If I say
ones.
with
your
"
to
you
umbrella
or
say
without
genuine option,for it
easilyavoid it by not going
a
you
I say,
"
Either
theory true
You
may
or
remain
hating,and
you
love
me
call it
or
Choose
it,"I
is not
out
hate
between
at
me,"
do
forced.
all.
"
going
not
You
offer
can
Similarly,if
Either
call my
false,"your
indifferent to
may
decline
option is avoidable.
neither loving nor
me,
to offer any
judgment
'
to
my
theory.
But
based
on
a
Every dilemma
complete logical
with
no
disjunction,
possibilityof not choosing,is
an
option of this forced kind.
Essays in PopularPhilosophy.
4
3.
you
Finally,if
to join my
Dr. Nansen
and
proposed to
North
Pole expedition,your
option
for this would
be momentous;
probably be
only similar opportunity,and your choice now
would
your
were
either exclude
would
of
from
you
immortality altogetheror
of it into
He
hands.
your
the
put
who
North
Pole
least the
at
refuses
to
sort
chance
embrace
well
distinctions
mind.
in
II.
The
next
of
human
facts,it
look
when
us
take
Does
it to
the
at
at
to
root
others, it
the
the
it not
talk of
is the actual
consider
ogy
psychol-
look at certain
we
opinion. When
if our
ture
as
passionaland volitional na-
seems
lay
we
matter
of all
seems
intellect had
latter facts up
seem
as
When
convictions.
our
if
they could
once
said
do
its say.
ing
noth-
Let
first.
preposterous
opinions being
hinder our
intellect in
will either help or
Can
our
its perceptions of truth?
Can we, by justwillingit,
believe
Lincoln's existence is a myth,
that Abraham
our
Will
The
all of
are
of
portraitsof
that the
and
will,or
our
by
any
ourselves
roaring with
rheumatism
the
of the
sum
these
things,but
them
fabric of the
"
there
which
of
there
if not
our
known
for
can
with
stakes
in
words
be
cannot
say
any
of
to
lieve
be-
whole
up,
Hume
as
either
are
them
see
so,
and
action
the
what
You
of
bring
gains
your
stake
should
our
celebrated
passage
In it he tries
if
Translated
will you
is
game
and
all you
at
either
heads
your
losses
have
on
not
or
the
would
heads,
be
God's
or
be-
"
you
of
day
tails.
or
the
human
between
on
our
freely his
Your
do?
going
things which
out
with
concern
either believe
must
which
"
say.
nature
will
resembled
of chance.
is
cannot
reason
by reasoning as
Christianity
game
these
are
there is
Pascal's wager.
as
truth
judgment
Weigh
if you
"
ence:
exist-
tude;
gain eternal beatilose nothing at all. If there
if you lose,you
of chances, and
an
only one for God in
infinity
if you
win
in such
case,
you
this wager,
stillyou ought to stake your
for though you
surely risk a finite loss
any
one
remote,
we
that
our
ideas, which
if
are
in made
believe
or
us
Thoughts
into
us
concern
were
bills in
do
we
between
in literature
force
and
we
own.
In Pascal's
to
when
feel certain
or
We
fact, immediate
there
not
or
about
and
in bed,
that
relations
said, and
any effort
that it were
by
absolutelyimpotent
just such things is the
of
truths
of
matters
wish
zine
Maga-
are
we
and
strengthof
dollars?
hundred
be
we,
one-dollar
two
must
Can
well
believe
true,
in McClure's
him
else?
one
some
Believe.
to
is
reasonable,if there
is but
the
all
by
even
on
God
this cedure,
procertain
a
of
possibility
6
infinite
should
At
not?
you
bottom, what
have
to
you
lose?
You
presses
probably feel that when
religiousfaith exitself thus, in the language of the gamingtable,
it is put to its last trumps.
Surely Pascal's
had far
and holy water
own
personal belief in masses
other springs; and
this celebrated
of his is but
page
an
argument for others, a last desperate snatch at a
againstthe hardness of the unbelievingheart.
weapon
We
feel that a faith in masses
and holy water
adopted
calculation
would
wilfullyafter such a mechanical
lack the inner soul of faith's reality;and if we
were
ourselves
should
in the place of the Deity, we
ably
probtake particularpleasure in cutting off believers
of this
pattern from
that
to
unless there
believe
offered
in
Turk
its account;
of
salvation
some
and
by
Pascal
ever
and
took
dent
It is evi-
pre-existingtendency
holy water, the option
is not
a
living option.
and holy wato masses
ter
even
such
to
us
Protestants
these
impossibiliforegone ties
for them
that Pascal's logic,invoked
specifically,
leaves
write
unmoved.
As. W^H m^ht the Mahdi
us
God
f to us, saying, I am the Expected One whom
I has created in his effulgence. You shall be infinitely
\ happy if vou
shall be cut
confess me
; otherwise
you
J off from the light of the sun.
Weigh, then, your
/ infinite gain if I am genuine against your finite sacri\ flee if I am
be that of Pascal ;
His logicwould
not !
but he would
vainly use it on us, for the hypothesis
he offers us is dead.
No tendency to act on it exists
in us to any degree.
means
"
"
be
masses
the will
to
Certainlyno
on
seem
Will
The
then,
believingby our volition seems,
another
point of view, simply silly. From
it is vile. When
than
it is worse
view
silly,
of the physical
to the magnificentedifice
one
point of
one
talk of
The
from
Believe.
to
turns
sciences, and
how
sees
it
lives of
moral
of disinterested
thousands
; what
reared
was
lie buried
men
in
its
stands
and
; what
foundations
mere
c on
te
besotted
then how
augustness,
tible_.se
e m s
ey e ry, little sentimentalist
its vast
m
"
comes
soul to know
It fortifies my
sings Clough,
consolation
our
lies in
posteritymay
rule
[plain
'no
while
of not
to
reason
Huxley
the
is
so
pretendingto
believe/because
"
exclaims:
far
"My,
as
they
hold
believe what
it may
be
to
'
bad
by
the
they have
vantage
their ad-
to
pretend [theword
pretend
here redundant],they will not have reached
so
only
that, however
reflection
become,
so
'
is
surely
the low-
Essays in PopularPhilosophy.
~fest depth
of
immorality." And
"
writes:
that delicious
enfant
Belief...is---desp^.rated__w
for
given to
^Whoso
would
deserve
...
...
...
III.
All
this strikes
pathos in
what
remains
after wish
preference have
what
then
taken
settles
our
somewhat
matter
the
too
Free-will
the voice.
when
healthy, even
as
by Clifford,with
as
robustious
one
of
and
if any
Yet
that
intellectual
and
will
wing,
or
and
that
opinions,he
of
much
simple
credences, to
our
coach.
pressed,
ex-
pure
would
one
insightis
sentimental
reason
is
fly quite
io
make.1
As
which
find
the
rule
have
we
no
no
in his scheme
no
for
use
Newman,
and
Romanism,
to
over
goes
of life.
is
on
for
emotions
belabors
feelings. Huxley
there
because
bishops
theories
Clifford's cosmic
use.
for Christian
use
disbelieve
we
ism
sacerdotal-
the contrary,
of
reasons
for
a
priestlysystem is
staying there, because
do so few
for him an organic need and delight. Why
look
for telepathy,
scientists
at the evidence
even
called ?
Because
so
they think,as a leadingbiologist,
said to me,
if such a thing
that even
now
dead, once
were
together to keep
true, scientists ought to band
undo
the
it suppressed and
concealed.
It would
all sorts of other
and
things
uniformity of Nature
good
'
which
without
But
which
scientists
cannot
had
if this very
man
he
as
a scientist
been
might
their suits.
purshown
thing
some-
on
carry
do with
telepathy,
the
the
name
he
might
even
not
"
of
willing
our
their
1
own
those
logiciansto
here
nature
natural
wish
"
to
page
who
is based
exclude
310 in S. H.
rule
would
on
out
nothing but
all elements
Hodgson's
"
Time
for
and
which
they,in
find
can
no
The
Will
their
professional
qualityof logicians,
are
when
naf-nre
c\r"p"*
non-intellectual
There
dencies
are
passionalten-
our
rnnvirttoncs
n^r
and
which
use.
Evidently,then,
influence
Believe.
to
which
volitions
after
before
run
belief,and
and
others
in
their
of
being powerless,then
and
direction.
own
is the
last stroke
it is
Pascal's
seems
needed
argument,
regular clincher,
to
instead
make
faith in
our
masses
IV.
Our
"
"
yes
or
no,
of losing the
"
and
truth.
will, I trust,
I must
is attended
with
The
thesis thus
soon
become
first indulge in
bit
more
the
same
risk
pressed
abstractlyexquite clear. But
of preliminary
work.
12
V.
It will be
that
observed
for the
purposes
of
this
'
dogmatic ground,
ground, I
leaves systematic philosophicalsceptiwhich
cism
mean,
The
altogether out of account.
postulate that
that it is the destiny of our
there is truth, and
minds
to attain it,we
are
deliberatelyresolvingto make,
pany
though the scepticwill not make it. We part comwith him, therefore, absolutely,
at this point.
discussion
the
But
are
the
on
faith that
find it,may
can
of
we
"
truth
be held
empiricistway
in truth.
exists, and
in two
ways.
that
We
minds
our
may
talk
and
The
attain
knowing truth,but we
have
attained
when
know
to
we
can
knowing it;
while the empiriciststhink that although we
may
To know
know
when.
attain it,we
cannot
infallibly
is one
thing,and to know tor pertainthat we know is
hold to the first being possible
One
another.
may
the empiricistsand
the
the second; hence
without
is a sceptic in
absolutists,although neither of them
of the term, show very
the usual philosophic sense
different degrees of dogmatism in their lives.
that
look at the historyof opinions,
we
If we
see
the
empiricist tendency has largely prevailed in
science, while in philosophy the absolutist tendency
The
characteristic
has had everythingits own
way.
sort of happiness,indeed, which
philosophiesyieldhas
cessive
mainly consisted in the conviction felt by each sucschool or system that by it bottom-certitude
lections
Other
attained.
had
been
philosophies are colof opinions, mostly false; my
philosophy
that
we
not
only
can
"
to
The
Will
Believe.
to
13
ognize
gives standing-groundforever," who does not recin this the key-note of every
system worthy
of the name?
A system, to be a system at all,must
"
Scholastic
orthodoxy,
which
to
never
always'
must
one
that
or
as
clear statement,
wishes to find perfectly
one
go when
has beautifullyelaborated
this absolutist conviction
in
it calls that
which
doctrine
If,for example, I
I
exist before
now
that
if all
men
you,
unable
am
dence.'
objectiveevi-
doubt
to
then
that
three, or
is less than
that two
mortal
are
of
mortal
am
too,
sistibly.
things illumine my intellect irrefinal ground of this objectiveevidence
The
possessed by certain propositions is the adcequatio
certitude
volves
intellects nostri cum
The
it brings inre.
an
aptitudinem ad extorquendum certum assenthe part of the truth envisaged,and on
the
sum
on
when
side of the subjecta quietem in cognitione,
once
the objectis mentally received,that leaves no
bility
possiit is
because
these
of doubt
behind
; and
abandon
uncritically
do
we
know.
of us,
of
our
over
among
certain
are
There
a
mental
the
us
bell that
meridian
are
own
things
some
and
we
we
jective
in ob-
feel
we
that
know
is
clock
our
believe
You
Of
know,
we
like
dis-
we
much
I do.
indeed,
"
ourselves:
evidence, and
that
the mind.
at
is very
transaction
entitas
of mind
state
the
in the whole
hour.
the
swept
The
we
side
in-
the hands
dial and
meet
greatest empiricists
only empiricistson
reflection:
when
14
left to
their instincts,they
When
popes.
be Christians
them
it makes
Cliffords
such
on
the
the
how
us
way.
an
anti-christian
is
no
is
livingoption : Christianity
the
it is to
ciency
insuffi-
in
from
sinful
last
evidence
other
tell
insufficient evidence/
'
really the
is
For
the
order
of the
universe
that
dead
there
sis
hypothe-
start.
VI.
But
since
now,
what
ought
and
of
about
Or
it?
shall
absolutists
stinct,
by inphilosophy
of
students
fact?
the
which
from
nature
our
all such
are
qualityof
our
do
to
we
indorse
Shall
we
we
treat
it
we
must
free
as
espouse
weakness
ourselves,if
can?
we
in
we
one
we
and
follow
certitude
reflective
as
are
course
menj
doubtless
very
is the
only
dence
Objective evifine ideals
to
this moonlit
and
dreamon
play with, but where
I
visited
therefore,
they found?
am,
planet are
( myself a complete empiricistso far as my theory of
I live,to be sure, by the
t human
knowledge goes.
experiencing and
go on
practicalfaith that we must
our
our
experience,for only thus can
thinking over
opinions
them
"
grow
more
true;
absolutelydo
not
but
care
to
hold
which
"
any
as
one
if it
of
never
I believe to be
or
corrigible,
reinterpretable
attitude,and I think that the
a tremendously mistaken
There
out.
whole
history of philosophywill bear me
could
is but
be
one
truth that
indefectiblycertain
truth, and
that
is the
stand-
The
ing,
"
the
WiU
to
Believe.
15
of
consciousness
That, however,
are
so
many
the
is
bare
of
admission
mere
The
attempts
various
philosophi
at
expressing
repair to our
if we
really is. And
discover
libraries what disagreement do we
! Where
is a certainlytrue
stract
found?
answer
Apart from abpropositionsof comparison (such as two and
the same
two
are
as
four),propositions which tell
about
concrete
us
we
nothing by themselves
reality,
find no
dently
evias
propositionever regarded by any one
this stuff
what
certain
that
least
has not
had
either
been
called
hood,
false-
its truth
sincerelyquestioned
else. The
one
by some
transcending of the axioms
of geometry,
in play but in earnest, by certain
not
of our
contemporaries (as Zollner and Charles H.
Hintort),and the rejectionof the whole Aristotelian
logic by the Hegelians, are
strikinginstances in
point.
is really true
No
of what
has ever
concrete
test
make
been agreed upon.
Some
the criterion external
of perception, putting it either
to the
moment
in revelation,the consensus
gentium, the instincts of
the heart, or the systematized experience of the race.
Others
make
its own
the perceptive moment
test,
distinct
Descartes, for instance, with his clear and
ideas guaranteed by the veracity of God ; Reid with
or
at
"
his
'
'
common-sense
and
Kant
with
his
forms
of
Essays in PopularPhilosophy,
evidence is never
objective
triumphantlythere;
it is a mere
aspirationor Grenzbegriff,
marking the
ideal of our
remote
thinkinglife. To claim
infinitely
that certain truths now
it, is simply to say
possess
think them
and
true
that when
they are true,
you
is objective,
otherwise it is not.
then
their evidence
one's conviction
that the evidence
But
practically
one
goes by is of the real objectivebrand, is only
For
to the lot.
one
more
subjectiveopinion added
what
a
contradictoryarray of opinions have objective
lauded
The
absolute
and
evidence
through
is rational
world
is
brute
ultimate
an
certitude
and
been
claimed
through,
"
fact; there
is
its existence
nal
perso-
"
"
"
"
is
first cause;
purpose,
Many
"
there is an absolute
of causes,
eternal necessity, a freedom;
a
chain
endless
an
an
"
"
a
a
primal One,
primal
purpose;
universal continuity, an essential tinuity
disconno
"
"
infinity.There is
there is that ; there is indeed
this,
nothing which
has not thought absolutelytrue, while his
one
some
it absolutely false; and
not
an
neighbor deemed
in
things;
an
infinity,
"
no
"
absolutist
among
that the
and
that
grasp,
whether
the
trouble
seems
may
intellect,even
have
no
may
it be truth
that
to
them
or
no.
to
have
be
ered
consid-
essential,
with truth
infallible
the most
ever
directlyin its
signal for knowing
When,
indeed,
one
members
re-
strikingpractical
application
of objective
certitude has been
Essays in PopularPhilosophy.
hood
believingthe falsebelieving
B, it hardly ever
happens that by merely disB we
We
in
necessarilybelieve A.
may
escaping B fall into believing other falsehoods, C or
B
D, just as bad as B ; or we
by not
escape
may
A.
believing anything at all,not even
Believe
Shun
!
truth !
error
these, we
see, are
tween
two
materially different laws; and by choosing bethem we
end by coloring differentlyour
may
whole
intellectual life. We
regard the chase
may
as
an
incidental
from
consequence
"
for truth
paramount,
as
secondary;
avoidance
or
of
we
error
as
on
more
the avoidance
the
other
of
hand,
imperative,and
Clifford,in the
may,
and
instructive
error
treat
as
the
let truth
passage
I have
he
than
believe
who
"
says,
Better
go
without
lie ! "
merely shows
privatehorror of becoming
a
his
a
belief forever
own
dupe.
preponderant
He may
be critical of many
of his desires and
fears,but this
fear he slavishlyobeys. He
cannot
imagine any one
For
my
own
part, I
Will
The
also
have
horror
of
worse
man
in this world
19
but I
being duped ;
things than being duped
that
Believe.
to
happen__to_a
may
Clifford's exhortation
so
believe
can
has
to
my
of
so
are
ears
gained. Our
things.
in
them
incur
either
victories
of heart
errors
In
where
all
behalf.
we
than
At
nature
over
such
emn
awfullysol-
are
caution,
our
healthier
seems
their
on
world
spiteof
or
surely not
are
enemies
over
certain to
so
certain
ness
light-
this excessive
rate, it
any
vousness
ner-
the
seems
philosopher.
empiricist
VIII.
And
let
after all this introduction,
now,
us
straight
go
our
as
of
lawful determinant
some
of you
lend an
danger, and
first steps of passion you
to scent
necessary,
and we
must
"
path
to
we
so
as
to
had
indeed
so
Two
; but
as
dupery,
the surest
will
you
to take
admit
to
avoid
to
as
gain truth
onwards
now
begin
inhospitableear.
consider, is from
will
hearers
my
have
think
must
think
choice.
our
probably
further passional
no
step.
Well, of
allow.
and
course,
Wherever
gaining it
the
is not
agree
far
as
option
as
the
between
momentous,
we
facts will
losing truth
can
throw
the
Essays in PopularPhilosophy.
20
of
chance
ourselves
gaining
from
truth
away,
of
chance
and
at
rate
any
save
falsehood by
believing
not
making up our minds at all till objectiveevidence
In scientific questions,
has come.
this is almost always
in human
affairs in general, the
the case
even
; and
need of acting is seldom
so
urgent that a false belief
to
act
on
is better
indeed, have
for the
any
to
"
than
decide
belief
no
on
because
at
all.
Law
courts,
attainable
or
moment,
falsehood
would
does
it make
forced.
is seldom
is therefore
the
escape
mistakes.
What
to
of
whether
balance
sceptical
if we
most
us
The
attitude
absolutelywise
of
one
difference,indeed,
we
have
or
have
not
reasons
pro
et contra
with
an
indifferent hand.
The
I
speak,of
she
than
and
Spencer
is to
faiths confirmed
See for
far
had
been
absolute
an
be
passionatedesires of
is if the
own
be
would
science
Weismann
want
indifference
and
highly recommended,
21
purelyjudgingmind.
discoverysuch
of
less advanced
Believe.
to
here of the
course,
For purposes
less
Will
duffer in
tigation,
inves-
an
who has no
take the man
must, after all,
interest whatever
in its results: he is the warranted
you
The
incapable,the positivefool.
he whose
interest in
eager
balanced
by
sensitive observer,is
the most
because
side of the
one
equallykeen
an
deceived.1
gator,
useful investi-
most
always
questionis
lest he become
nervousness
ness
organizedthis nervousof
into a regulartechnique,
her so-called method
verification ; and sheThas^allen so deeply in love with
the
care
that
method
for truth
by
has
Science
one
even
may
itselfat all.
might
in
come
decline
repeat with
her
duty
touch
to
it. Such
truth
Clifford,would
to mankind.
stolen in defiance
be
Human
however,
passions,
Le
stronger than technical rules.
sons," as Pascal says, " que la raison
however
cceur
ne
ses
connait
of
are
rai"
pas ;
bare rules of
the
to all but
indifferent
she would
that,she might
as
"
and
truth of truths
The
the game
the umpire, the abstract intellect,
be,
may
the concrete
playerswho furnish him the materials to
judge of
usually,each one
some
pet live hypothesis of
there
however, that wherever
are
'
'
Compare
Wilfrid
Ward's
is no
Essay,'* The
"
own.
Let
forced
Wish
Co., 1893.
to
us
agree,
option^the^
Believe,"in his
Essays in PopularPhilosophy.
22
dispassionately
judicialintellect with no pet hypoth*
it does, from jiupery at any
as
us,
rate,
esis1j"aving
ought to be our ideal.
The- questionnext arises : Are there not somewhere
forced options in our
speculativequestions, and can
who
be interested
at least as much
we
(as men
may
in merely escaping
in positivelygaining truth as
dupery) always wait with impunity till the coercive
It seems
evidence
shall have
arrived ?
probable
a
priori imthat the truth should be so
nicelyadjusted
to
needs
our
as
powers
of nature, the
seldom
syrup
clean.
so
and
out
come
Indeed,
cakes
and
the
ing-house
great board-
butter
leave
and
even
so
should
we
In the
that.
them
view
and
the
with
the
plates
tific
scien-
IX.
as
immediately present themselves
questions
solution
wait
for sensible
cannot
questions whose
proof. A moral question is a question not of what
sensiblyexists,but of what is good, or would be good
Moral
Science
if it did exist.
compare
what
does
what
Pascal
calls
of
moral
she
of what
consult
heart.
Science
lays it
fact and
exists ; but
exists and
of
not
herself
that the
down
correction
of
science, but
consults
infinite
false belief
certainment
asare
ment,
Challenge the stategoods for man.
supreme
and
science
can
only repeat it oracularly,or
else prove
correction
man's
our
what
us
must
exist,we
not
the
worths, both
the
to
tell
can
by showing
all
bring man
it
that such
ascertainment
and
goods which
The
heart in turn declares.
question of having
is decided by
beliefs at all or not having them
sorts
of other
Will
our
moral
Are
will.
our
The
heart
your
can
does
Believe.
23
preferencestrue or false,
phenomena, making
biological
are
or
to
for
your
not
but
us,
pure
want
themselves
in
different?
in-
If
intellect decide?
world
of moral
reality, /
make
believe in
/)
assuredly never
you
one.
Mephistophelianscepticism,indeed, will satisfy
much
better than any rigorthe head's play-instincts
ous
your
will
head
idealism
age) are
Some
can.
(even at
men
the
student
so
of
lgctual superiorityis_Jia-b-ette.iLthan^lie_j^unnjng
"
"
"
fox.
be refuted or
no
more
MpraL_sc^ptirj?mcan
)
/
prove^_by_j5"ic__thaj3mte41ec"ual_scepticismcan.
When
stick to it that there is truth (be it of either (
we
a
kind),we
do
so
with
whole
our
nature, and
resolve to
fall
and
or
another.
Whether
you
on
to
assume
and
your
Do
do
whether
that you
you
like
not
or
I meet
must
expectation. The
existence
liking's
me
or
not
for
"
example.
stances,
depends, in countless inhalf-way,am willing
you
like me,
and
show
previous faith
is in such
cases
on
you
trust
my
part in
what
makes
24
shall have
you
say, ad
if I stand
But
likingcome.
budge an inch
your
aloof,and refuse
to
until I have
objectiveevidence, until
something apt, as the absolutists
done
extorquendum
assensum
ten
meumy
to
one
your
How
women's
hearts are
comes.
likingnever
many
sanguine insistence of some
vanquished by the mere
love him ! he will not consent
that they must
man
to
the hypothesis that they cannot.
The
desire for a
certain kind of truth here brings about
that special
truth's existence
; and
so
it is in innumerable
other
sorts.
Who
come,
and
takes
risks
for them
the
powers
above
cases
of
its
creates
on
duty
own
him
as
claim, and
of any
sort whatever, large or
each member
it is because
proceeds to
organism
small, is what
his
His
advance?
verification.
own
social
in
with
trust
members
will
desired
result
independent
many
a fact is a
as
pure
consequence
persons, its existence
diately
of the precursivefaith in one
another of those imme-
concerned.
system,
exist
on
train of
will be looted
the latter
can
we
mercial
com-
athletic team,
which
all
only is
attempted. A
but
count
he will be
If
army,
not
nothing is even
brave enough)
(individually
passengers
by a few highwaymen, simply because
fears that
up.
an
ship,a college,an
nothing achieved,
whole
government,
on
if he
shot
believed
one
makes
before
another, while
a
any
movement
one
each
passenger
of resistance,
else backs
car-full would
him
rise
l6
The
better off
to
affirmation
second
even
now
if
of
religionis
webelieyeher
that
we_are
first affirmation
Be true.
logicalelements of
this situation are in case the religious
hypothesisin both
its branches be reallytrue.
(Of course, we must admit
If we
that possibility
at the outset.
to discuss
are
involve
the question at all,it must
a
livingoption.
be a hypothesisthat cannot,
If for any of you religion
be true, then you
need
by any livingpossibility
go
I speak to the 'saving remnant'
farther.
no
alone.)
that religionoffers itself
So proceeding, we
see, first,
mo7nentous
are
as
a
option. We
supposed to gain,
noneven
belief,and to lose by our
by our
now,
belief, a certain vital good. Secondly, religionis a
We
cannot
forced option,so far as that good goes.
the issue by remaining scepticaland waiting
escape
for more
light,because, although we do avoid error
in that way
if religionbe untrue, we lose the good,
chose
if it be true, justas certainlyas if we positively
Now,
to
let
consider
us
It is
disbelieve.
to
ask
as
certain
what
if a
woman
man
the
should
to
nitely
hesitate indefihim
marry
because
was
not
"
Will
The
'
to
Believe.
27
mount
religionbe found, is tantain presence
of the
therefore to tellingus, when
yield to our fear of its
religioushypothesis,J:hat_jto
is wiser
and better than
to yield to our
being error
be true.
It is not
intellect against
hope that it may
alT passions,then ; it is only intellect with one
sion
pasits law.
And
laying down
by what, forsooth,
is the supreme
wisdom
of this passion warranted?
Dupery for dupery, what proof is there that dupery
than dupery through
through hope is so much worse
fear?
I, for one, can
see
no
proof; and I simply
1
sufficient evidence
refuse, obedience
to
for
the
scientist's
command
to
tate
imi-
of
his kind
stake
option,in a case where my own
is important enough to give me
the right to choose
form
of risk. If religionbe true
and
the
own
my
for it be still insufficient,
I do not wish, by
evidence
nature
vputtingyour extinguisher upon
(which
my
feels to
me
as
matter),to
if it had
forfeit my
after all
sole
business
some
chance
in this
in life of
getting
the winning side,
that chance
depending, of
upon
the risk of acting
on
willingnessto run
course,
my
if my passionalneed
of takingthe world religiously
as
might be prophetic and right.
All this is on
the supposition that it really may
be prophetic and right,and
who
to
that,even
us
are
discussing the matter, religionis a live hypothesis
be true.
which
of us
Now, to most
religion
may
"
in
comes
our
active
and
still further
faith
eternal
more
in
even
more
way
that
makes
illogical.The
aspect of
the
a
more
universe
veto
on
fect
peris represented
28
here.
instance, although in
For
the
passiveportionsof
a
curious
autonomy,
our
on
of
appeal
from
us
take
word
us
we
we
We
the
gentlemen
another
be
to
active
our
from
all the
tres
cen-
if the
as
active
own
forever
made
no
withheld
advances, asked
for every
concession, and believed
himself off
cut
without
proof,would
churlishness
show
we
hypothesishalf-way. To
who
in a
just as a man
trivial illustration:
of
made
are
we
feel,too,
might
met
sense
small
were
were
if evidence
unless
company
warrant
if
as
religionto
as
good-will,
universe, in
account.
own
one
social rewards
that
one's
no
by
a
such
more
so
here, one who should
trustingspiritwould earn,
and try to make
shut himself up in snarlinglogicality
his recognitionwilly-nilly,
not
the gods extort
or
get
it at all,might cut himself off forever from his only
opportunity of making the gods' acquaintance. This
know
forced
not
we
on
us
whence, that by
feeling,
obstinatelybelieving that there are gods (although
"
not
our
to
do
so
life)we
we
can,
would
are
seems
be
so
doing
easy
the
both
universe
for
our
the
logicand
vice
deepest ser-
of the
in
true
religioushypothesis. If the hypothesis were
intellectuall its parts, including this one, then pure
alism, with its veto on our
making willingadvances,
be
would
an
participationof
absurdity; and some
required.
our
sympathetic nature would be logically
to accepting
see
I, therefore, for one, cannot
my
way
the agnostic rules for truth-seeking,
or
wilfullyagree
I cannot
to keep my
willingnature out of the game.
that a rule of thinking
for this plain reason,
do so
\ which
would
absolutelyprevent me from acknowledge
ing certain kinds of truth if those kinds of truth were
reallythere,would be an irrational rule. That for me
The
short
long and
the
is
Believe.
to
of the formal
what
matter
no
Will
the kinds
of
29
tion,
logicof the situatruth might materially
be.
confess
But
escaped.
with
me,
believe
at
enough
to
not
sad
of you
some
do
how
see
experience
still shrink
this
logic can
makes
be
fear that
me
from
radicallysaying
in abstracto,that we
have
the right to
risk any hypothesis that is live
our
own
tempt our will. I suspect, however, that
may
if this is so,
the abstract
it is because
have
got away from
you
of view altogether,
and are
logicalpoint
thinking(perhaps without realizingit)of some
ticular
parfor you
is dead.
religioushypothesis which
The freedom
believe what
will you
to
we
apply to
the case
of some
the faith
patent superstition
; and
think of is the faith defined by the schoolboy
you
when he said, Faith is when
believe something
you
that you
know
ain't true."
I can
only repeat that
this is misapprehension. In concrete, the freedom
to
believe can
lect
only cover
livingoptions which the intelof the individual cannot
by itself resolve; and
absurdities to him who
has
livingoptions never
seem
'
'
"
them
consider.
to
question
When
look
the
at
religious
it
and
reallyputs itself to concrete
men,
when I think of all the possibilities
which both practically
and theoretically
it involves,then this command
that we
shall put a stopper on
our
heart, instincts,
and
and
wait
mean-''
acting of course
courage,
while more
less as if religionwere
true1
or
not
as
"
"
to
religion
we
did
be
by action, he
also forbids
true, necessarily
believe it
hingesupon
to
action.
be
true.
The
If the action
hypothesis is in
no
way
whole
who
us
forbids
to
defence
required or
different from
act
of
as
us
we
to
believe
should
if
religiousfaith
gious
inspiredby the relithat dictated by the
30
till doomsday,
till such
or
time
have
senses
queerest
idol
more
If
excuse.
had
we
to
the
me
in the
philosophic
there might be
absolutists,
scholastic
we
in evidence
seems
manufactured
ever
Were
cave.
raked
say,
"
intellect and
our
as
infallible intellect
an
with
its
loyal
objectivecertitudes,we might feel ourselves dissuch
to
a
perfect organ of knowledge in not
ing
trustingto it exclusively,in not waiting for its releas-
no
word.
But
bell in
us
truth
is in
if we
tolls to
our
grasp,
to preach
fantasticality
for the
bell.
if we
empiricists,
are
let
then
it
seems
solemnly
so
Indeed
for
know
us
we
that
when
certain
piece of idle
ing
duty of waitif
wait
may
our
believe
we
will,
"
which
all
our
outer
tolerance
am
"
is soulless,and
which
is
live and
let
empiricism's glory; then only shall we
live,in speculativeas well as in practical
things.
I began by a reference
to Fitz James Stephen ; let
do you think
What
end by a quotationfrom him.
me
"
naturalistic
hypothesis,then
religiousfaith
better
which
determines
specifically
large part
of belief.
unlike
what
our
they might
is
superfluity,
its legitimacyis a piece
I myself believe, of
on
pure
the world
reactions, and
be
makes
an
expression
them
purely naturalistic
in
scheme
Will
The
These
good
in
and
all
in the
leap
the
of
deal
must
we
deal
must
riddles
are
of
make,
we
to
turn
no
one
make
we
it
as
Sphinx,
with
life
them.
have
we
to
that
can
prevent
must
act
much
the
in
shall
be
to
dashed
whether
Be
there
strong
hope
for
and
the
We
him.
whirling
If
is
of
We
pieces.
to
any
right
good
best,
and
the
do
take
still
of
road
what
for
so
mist,
paths
shall
we
must
Act
see
mountain
certainly
not
courage.'
not
wrong,
wrong
man
Each
then
What
one.
blinding
stand
we
is
on
and
now
take
we
beyond
I do
he
and
snow
future,
If
stand
If
the
show
if
and
best;
chooses
mistaken.
is
in
choice
man
and
thinks,
he
that
can
he
as
deceptive.
death.
the
waver
mistaken.
get glimpses
we
be
may
frozen
of
midst
which
through
which
for
is
acts
thinks
worse
one
he
prove
he
as
the
pass
can
If
God
on
we
whatever
but
no
leave
to
if
peril.
our
him
and
one
choice
choice
that
otherwise
any
is
decide
we
altogether
back
doubt
thinks
is
it at
his
reasonable
that
that, too,
answer,
our
If
dark.
unanswered,
riddles
take
be
all
transactions
important
world
the
of
which
other
or
ji
They
way
some
In
.
them.
to
think
you
with
questions
are
seems
do
What
yourself?
of
Believe.
to
we
the
we
know
do
best,
If
comes.
...
death
ends
all, we
cannot
meet
p.
353,
death
2d
better."
edition.
London,
1874.
32
LIFE
IS
Mr.
WHEN
of
"
one
"it
The
newspapers.
more
no
bear
to make
you
and
In the
theme.
be my
is
had
great
which
answer
In
I
the
corner
things works
in which
sadly;
and
laugh; thingsnow,
serious
a
weighty
full
Sad, high,and working,
there
"
come
That
must
with
be jocose.
give to-night cannot
of Shakespeare'sprologues,
to
propose
book
fifteen years
depends on the liver"
in the
currency
words
Mallock's
some
that
answer
LIVING?1
WORTH
brow,
of state
and
woe,
"
"
us
the
ultimate
of
I know
not
mystery
what
such
an
what
ask of
intends, nor
you
yours
those whom
you, unless it be to
you invite to address
the surface-glamour
of existence,and
lead you from
association
for
as
hour
an
buzzing
and
at
least
to
jigging and
excitements
that
form
make
heedless
to the
you
vibration
of small interests
the tissue of
ordinary
further explanation or apoWithout
consciousness.
logy,
then, I ask you to joinme in turning an attention,
commonly too unwilling,to the profounder bass-note
hour
of life. Let us search the lonelydepths for an
in the last folds and
together,and see what answers
of things our
recesses
questionmay find.
and
Published
and
as
Address
An
our
to the Harvard
34
worked
indoor
the
It
in the
in
was
it could
no
leave
not
If moods
like
this could
philosopher
that
life is worth
is
would
so
made
discourses
would
seek
living,for
vouch
and
permanent,
universal, there
No
one.
be
for such
occasion
any
singleinstant."
like these
constitutions
be
for
me
would
the
as
to
the
never
present
articulately
prove
fact that it absolutely
for itself,
and
the
problem
mania, with
no
and
often
will
present
enough
dreariness
what
outward
to
medical
of the humors."
"
it depends
joke,
on
can
discover;
same
radiance
books
we
life
well person
to-day and incarnate
the
according to
to-morrow,
the older
and
one
incarnate
that
cause
used
the
fluctuations
to call
In the words
"
the
tion
concoc-
of
the newspaper
the liver." Rousseau's
ill-balanced
constitution
his latter
delusions
of
launched
upon
suspicion and
the
of
world
even
fear.
Some
their
from
men
him
in
black
seem
birth with
as
"
Is Life Worth
in that
Dreadful
which
for
its
be
it should
than
men
is
City of
well-known
less
literarybeauty, simply
they
quote its words,
afraid to
are
think
35
The
patheticbook,
James Thomson,
Night,
Living?
"
cause
beare
In one
time so sincere.
gloomy, and at the same
place the poet describes a congregation gathered to
cathedral
listen to a preacher in a great unillumined
is too long to quote, but it
at night. The
sermon
so
thus
ends
u
'
"
Brothers
few
would
if you
Lo, you
not
the fear of
waking
so
laboringbreath
life fulfil,
you will,
after death.'
"
The
broodingon
Our
that
End
'
it when
will.'
you
"""""
"
"
brief ;
all relief :
they are
this poor
free to end it when
are
Without
"
lives !
Can
But
of sad
As
had heard,
we
musing on that message
'
And
brooding on that End it when you will,'
Perchance
other word ;
awaiting yet some
When
keen as lightningthrough a muffled sky
Sprang forth a shrill and lamentable cry :
"
'
The
man
We
have
There
is
Can
"* '
In all
One
The
no
; Fate
knows
had
one
nor
which
wrath
I
chance,
few
sweetness
ruth
crave
The
nor
of the home
with
babes
life,
"
and
"
wife ;
"3
social
The
pleasureswith
fascination
The
their
genialwit;
of the worlds
of art ;
of Nature
lit
The
'
rapture of
The
The
reverend
storied
various
with
prerogativesof
memories
Through
Man
of the times
of
'This
chance
For
and
sequences
was
me
me
old,
great plan
changes myriadfold.
offered
never
wealth,
life'slong truth
The
"
of health ;
the ardent youth ;
winning
serene
age
and
manhood
strenuous
The
being,full
mere
childhood
careless
The
before;
dumb
and
chance
This
"
'
And
mockery,
Of noble
racks
So
"
'
me
my
birth,
; and
life upon
that I sigh for senseless death.
can
of comfort
Speak not
Speak not
life 's
at all
Hush, and
This
no
words
comfort
make
is,
can
foul
voice
came
from
the northern
aisle,
close ;
none
For
At
and
where
things fair?
cheat, our death a black abyss :
be mute, envisagingdespair.'
vehement
Rapid
And
than
worse
Our
"
from
my breath
this earth
delusion
frustrate
"
human
was
last the
With
humid
woes;
and
thoughtful,
droopinghead,
"
Is Life Worth
it ends
But
And
And
I
and
soon,
in truth
never
it when
end
truthfullyfrom
the
is far
continual
fountain
of
delight.
terminates.
We,
'
must
life we
with
share.
suicides, and
for
comfort,
our
we
their
are
of
one
life is the
"
case.
If
"
in
never
plainestintellectual integrity,
simplest manliness and honor, forbid
forget their
to
army
of the
gun
the world and
things also,
these
an
evening
sit here
we
worth
The
the
more,
as
of fear than
"
round
and
him,
to
as
you
flow
pen,
declare,
'
these
ponder
substance
too,
sun
Lo,
life is not
That
whole
follows the
den
"
verses
whom,
steady
"
Thomson's
for all to
like
British army,
us
"
me.'
these
will,"
melancholy
more
earth
be,"
can
of suicides
army
roll-call,like the famous
livingthe
nay,
more
you
consolation
the world
whose
be ;
can
nevermore
free to
are
and
soon
knew
we
It ends
are
37
ui
"
Living?
"
in
misery were
borne
of the
pany
com-
and
feasting
in
laid upon
guest,
them
"
the
would
; would
vouchsafed
of each
soft carpet,
beside
the
chair
of
every
to them
Dives
one
and
Yet
the actual
Lazarus,are
not
by
the interven-
38
by
between
ground (how
from
the
sick-bed,"
few
II.
To
then, what
with
life that
the
immediately to
come
I propose
fellow-mortal
the
"
assurance,
is to
only
comfort
You
may
end
heart
imagine
who
is
left him
it when
on
of my
ourselves
such
ing
reason-
with
terms
is to brood
you
theme,
will."
on
the
What
we
can
"
Is Life Worth
ing
to
Living?
39
of you are
devoted, for
of you
reflective life. Many
are
Most
men.
the
good
or
ill,
of
students
or
reflection
which
breeds,
effective
oppose
of
view
But
bred
diseases
reflection
it is of
and
the
to
still further
remedies
Weltschmerz
and
life.
can
choly
melan-
the
of reflection that
now
speak.
Let me
final appeal is to
say, immediately, that my
recondite
than religiousfaith. So far
nothing more
as
argument is to be destructive,it will consist in
my
than the sweeping away
of certain views
nothing more
that often keep the springs of religiousfaith compressed
proceed
to
; and
consist
far
so
holding
in
it is to
as
up
calculated
normal, natural
liable,it
demand
to
consists
which
reply.
Now, there
disease, two
second
and
it
let loose
in
there
certain
these
springs in -sl
ligious
rea
essentially
is
it to
which
nothing but
comes
no
siderations
con-
you
are
religious
normal
religious
J
are
two
different
from
the
emerge
view of things,and
The
to
constructive, it will
lightof day
Pessimism
way.^
In the form of
disease.
most
the
to
be
stages of recovery
from
levels
one
midnight
I
must
stage is the
corresponds
to
more
the
which
upon
view
to
the
treat
of
them
complete
freer exercise
this
may
daylight
in turn.
and
joyous,
of
religious
40
as
fancy. There
are,
are
naturallyvery free
and
trust
who
who
not
are
all
at
There
so.
is well
known,
persons
in this regard,others
for instance,
persons,
their heart's content
in
are
find
indulging to
prospects of immortality; and there are others who
in making such
a
experience the greatest difficulty
whom
we
notion
tied
are
persons
natural
to
themselves
to
their senses,
real
seem
and
experience ;
at
at
the
bare
call of sentiment.
restricted
latter
to
their
moreover,
feel
of intellectual
These
of them,
many
sort
all.
class
be
however,
may,
of either
Minds
equally desire
with
the total
crave
acquiescence and communion
the craving, when
the mind
soul of things. But
is pent in to the hard
facts,especiallyas science
breed
reveals them, can
pessimism, quite as
now
it inspires religious
easily as it breeds optimism when
trust and
fancy to wing their way to another
and
That
world.
better
religious
pessimism an essentially
nightmare view of life has plenty of
I call
is why
The
disease.
at
and
of nature
believe
that
great reflective
the contradiction
been
all times
its
but
organic sources;
behind
the
is. What
expression nature
theology has been one
craving ; that poetry of nature
'
literature is
suppose
so
mind
rich
has
been
of the latter of
imaginationis pent
in
the
the
nomena
phe-
heart
to
spiritwhose
ural
philosopherscall natof appeasing this
way
in which
our
English
there
nature
between
craving of
has
source
is
'
another
our
two
and
consequently,
way.
Now,
classes,whose
who
takes its
42
gether meaninglessly to
an
doom.
common
uncanny,
This
of
is
and
life,
its
have
to
the
and
communion,
some
character
of such
'
'
'
"
"
above
ens
if the
of
the
and
heavens
and
earth
the
earth
devouring monster,
waiting to be devoured."
a
This
brute
who
is
shudder
the
mere
can
have
this
can
irreligious
of the
sort
become
would
hurt
me
as
but boundless
jaws
I, palpitating,
lay
speculativemelancholy.
of melancholy ; no
man
its prey.
It is the
sick
frustrated
necessary
Teufelsdrockh
were
wherein
first stage of
is the
No
beneath
himself
could
have
made
shift to
face
of this world's
bedevilment
and
general chaos
of an
the victim
he not
experiences very well, were
originallyunlimited trust and affection towards them.
them
If he might meet
piecemeal,with no suspicion
the
Is Life Worth
Living?
43
of any
whole
the
at
are
we
stage
present
of
our
times
were
when
in monstrous
when
Leibnitzes
wigs
could
stall-fed officials of
prove
by
the valves
we
in the heart
of the
heads
buried
Theodicies, and
established
an
hip-jointthe
Contriver of the
Intelligent
past ; and
their
compose
of the
are
with
and
existence
World."
nineteenth
church
the
of
round
"
ment
liga-
Moral
But
could
those
and
times
century, with
our
mechanical
evolutionarytheories and our
phies,
philosonature
too
already know
impartiallyand too
well to worship unreservedly any God
of whose
acter
charshe can
be an
adequate expression. Truly, all
know
of good and
we
duty proceeds from nature;
but
nature
none
the
is all
multiverse,as
less
so
all
we
know
of evil.
Visible
44
her
as
whole
; and
__
harlot
we
are
we
we
owe
no
allegiance
; with
no
moral
establish
can
free in
our
ion
commun-
dealingswith
her several
parts
such
To
verse.
to
surface-show
supplementary
or
whose
unseen
be
meaning
but
resides
veil
in
other world.
or
as
the
mind.
educated
In
fact,if I
am
to
express
my
is the act
of rebellion
lion
rebelI have
"
'
And
as
so
thought, there
rushed
like
stream
of fire
over
whole
my
forever.
Is Life Worth
Living?
soul ; and
base Fear
I shook
45
from
away
me
No pealedauthoritatively
through
Everlasting
it
of my
all the recesses
being,of my Me ; and then was
stood up, in native God-created
that my whole Me
majesty,
and recorded
its Protest.
Such a Protest,the most
tant
imporance,
that same
transaction in life,
Indignationand Defimay
called. The
in a psychological
point of view, be fitly
had said :
No
cast,
outBehold, thou art fatherless,
Everlasting
had the
Thus
"
'
and
the
made
now
"
began
And
writes
"
to be
not
am
'
to
which
whole
my
thine,but Free,
and
Me
forever
adds,
hour," Teufelsdrockh-Carlyle
that
From
our
:
'
answer
is mine
Universe
man."
friend,James Thomson,
poor
similarly
"
Who
I think
myself; yet
miserable
My
formed
Who
The
in this dolorous
wretched
is most
vilest
I would
self than
such
creatures
thing must
rather
He, than
to
his
place?
be
He
disgrace.
own
Thou
for all
not
Would
We
having
him
and
unfurled,
made
such
men
in such
world."
made
the
have
furled
power
familiar
are
spectacle of
from
Thy
its
all the
For
Of
it had
whom
From
found
converts
garden
eternal
humaner
from
of their ancestral
all
and
fires of
the
Calvinism,
serpent, and
hell.
Some
of
"
appointed
pre-
them
ply
gods to worship,others are simtheology ; but, both alike,they
4.6
assure
that to have
us
of
got rid of the sophistication
souls.
Now,
or
tremendous
make
to
duty toward
happiness to
of the spiritof
sophistication
;
reverence
an
idol
and
is the
idol,whatever
of the
remain, there
and
as
of the
denial
such,
lack
cowering
can
of
also
comes
men
idol ; and
the downfall
positivejoyousness
the
mood.
make
with
short
may
downfall
of the whimpering
With
simply
work,
evil
taken
it then
are
'
of life.
the worth
There
in most
are
men
instinctive
the
respond healthilywhen
infinite responsibility
burden
of metaphysical and
rolls off. The
certainty that you now
step out
may
of life whenever
please,and that to do so is not
you
relief.
is itself an immense
blasphemous or monstrous,
The
no
longer a guilty
thought of suicide is now
challengeand obsession.
springs
"
vitalitythat
of
This
littlelife is all
The
grave'smost
says
Thomson
and
they
comfort
must
we
holy peace
adding,
me."
"
endure
is
ever
ponder
Meanwhile
sure,"
"
these
we
thoughts,
can
always
Is Life Worth
47
it for
stand
Living?
what
to-morrow's
next
postman
will contain,
newspaper
will
to
see
what
or
the
bring.
vital curiosity
deeper forces than this mere
in the pessimistically-tending
are
arousable, even
the loving and
mind
admiring impulses
; for where
are
dead, the hating and fightingimpulses will still
feel so
respond to fit appeals. This evil which we
throw
deeply is something that we can also help to overBut
far
; for
'
'
is behind
Spirit
with
its sources,
each
them,
of them
fact that
rule, abate
that
now
in turn.
It
love
of life ;
'
Substance
finite,and
are
sufferingsand
the
'
no
we
or
deal
can
is,indeed,
able
remark-
hardshipsdo
they seem, on
not,
as
the
trary,
con-
The sovereign
usuallyto give it a keener zest.
of melancholy is repletion. Need
and strugsource
gle
excite and
what
hour
of triumph
are
inspire us ; our
is what
Not the Jews of the
brings the void.
but those
of the days of Solomon's
captivity,
glory
those
from
whom
the pessimisticutterances
are
in
Bible come.
she lay trampled
our
Germany, when
beneath
the hoofs of Bonaparte's troopers, produced
perhaps the most
optimisticand idealistic literature
that
*
the
world
milliards'
has
the
there
to-day.
and
distributed
were
overrun
seen;
The
in the
country
till the
not
shape
historyof
pessimism
in which
our
own
French
we
race
it
see
is
one
will endure.
In
1485
papal
should
take
up
the crusade
ecclesiasticalpains and
bull
of Innocent
It absolved
those
they might
is
There
"
where
have
of
some
Jordan Terbano
Vilermin
brethren
our
burnt
was
Michael
Turin;
should
Piedmont, "
in
town
no
Goneto,
hanged
Ambrosio
at Turin
had
in
place
buried alive
the
fate
same
bound
hand
the
on
and
at
snow
San
at
Sarcena
Baridari
Bobbo
at
forced
in
fingers,
the
lighted
;
with
Charbonnier
Anna
from
Und
away
fifteen
these
1
A.
Giovanni
San
to
had
of
were
of the
their
Fauno
was
underwent
Michelini
cold
was
and
quicklime,and
Michelini
his
the
between
Torre."
In
all over
his mouth
impaled,and
mehr
dergleichen
one-half
from
road
La
Romano
had
perished
his
which
sulphurous matches
under
the nails,
between
the
slitopen
was
thrust
with
Rovelli
the
manner
blew
which, being lighted,
Rostignolwas
left so to perishon
like
living
for
and
in the lips,
nostrils,
Sara
his
hunger
Fache, gashed with
Bartolomeo
Daniel
death.
to
fierce cat
perishof
Fenile ; Daniel
at
in
Susanna
filled up
perished covered
been
then
out
torn
tongue
had
in agony
Bobbio
Magdalena
left to
:
of
from
further ; Maria
Giovanni
foot,and
put
writer,
HippoliteRossiero
Lucerna, and
Patia ;
Rocca
at
been
not
him
torture
to
promised
octogenarian,at Sarcena;
the Col di Meano
; Hugo
an
on
in
out
and
aVaudois
says
have
Geymarali
; Peter
property which
alive at Susa
Chiambs, of Fenestrelle,had
body
all
illegallyacquired,
remission
at
Popular Philosophy.
their title to
oath, legitimized
any
"
in
Essays
48
head
the
James
body, and
filledwith gunpowder,
pieces;
legsto the bosom, and
Eyral and Lucerna ;
carried thus on
a
pike
to
population, including
places of
pastors. The
and Dauphiny, and
Geneva
Vaudois
seventeen
suppliedfrom
on
Tyrol. Compare
50
sophistical' resignation'
of cowering religionspreach: it is
devotees
which
of licking a despotic
not
resignation in the sense
the contrary, a resignation
It is,on
Deity's hand.
and
manliness
based
on
pride. So long as your
circumstances,
is not
leaves
suicide
would-be
the
an
evil of his
unremedied,
own
long he has
and
relation
our
"
carry
not," as
Does
Clark,
a
Are
not
ourselves, to do
our
lives,in
return
are
built?
To
but
such
we
one
"
to
take
hear
some
lives upon
this question is to
if
point of
suffering
self-denyingservice
some
one
have
of
acceptance
involve
terms
bound
the
possibleway,
heart.
philosopher (Xenos
wrote,
once
life upon
honor?"
Amherst
young
dead)
now
happy
upon
to
on
which
answer
with
ours
it in
tuted
normally consti-
Is Life Worth
that
Living?
51
instinctive
curiosity,
life on
make
a
purely
may
pugnacity, and honor
worth
naturalistic basis seem
livingfrom day to day
all metaphysics in order
have
who
cast away
to men
resolved
to
are
to get rid of hypochondria, but who
owe
positive
nothing as yet to religionand its more
of you
be
gifts. A poor half-way stage, some
may
Thus, then, we
inclined
to
honest
an
mere
instincts which
meanly of these
equipment, and
last resort
see
address
her
dare
to
own
to
be
speak
nature's best
our
religionherself must
peculiarappeals.
which
to
are
grant it
in the
IV.
in
now,
this visible
world
an
of which
world
unseen
know
his faith
kind
some
may
be
as
the
in which
found
the
religions
mere
in the
the
world
or
scaffolding
affirmed
In
has
an
the
which
life consists.
special
me
tially
essen-
order
unseen
more
always
vestibule
to
to
now
of the natural
riddles
explained.
natural
of
existence
we
be
of
been
a
order
developed
regarded
truer,
sphere
of
more
of educa-
52
tion, trial,or
in
must
fashion
some
into
enter
can
one
In
redemption.
die
life eternal.
of wind
physicalworld
to
and
these
the
religions,one
natural
The
life before
notion
water, where
the
that
sun
this
rises
sets, is
absolutelyand ultimatelythe
divinelyaimed-at and established thing,is one which
such as that of
find only in very
we
early religions,
the most
primitiveJews. It is this natural religion
in spite of the fact that poets and
(primitivestill,
whose
their perof science
men
good-willexceeds
spicacity
editions
tuned
keep publishing it in new
to our
ears)that, as I said a while ago,
contemporary
has suffered definitive bankruptcy in the opinion of a
whom
I must
count
circle of persons,
myself,
among
For
and who are
numerous
growing more
every day.
ply
such persons the physicalorder of nature, taken simthe
and
moon
knows
science
as
harmonious
one
Chauncey
as
be
it,cannot
held to reveal
It is mere
intent.
spiritual
Wright called it, doing and
any
weather,
undoing
end.
without
I wish
Now,
to
make
you
that
feel,if I
have
in the short
can
rightto believe
the physicalorder to be only a partialorder; that
have
a
we
right to supplement it by an unseen
assume
on
we
trust, if only
spiritualorder which
better worth
to us
livingagain.
thereby life may seem
of you
to some
such a trust will seem
But
sadly
as
first say a
mysticaland execrably unscientific,I must
remainder
word
of this
two
or
to
hour,
weaken
we
the veto
that science
to our
opposes
in human
is included
There
naturalism
admit
of
materialism
and
the
which
you
are
may
sider
con-
act.
nature
mind
an
which
actuallytangible. Of
entity called 'science' is
facts that
mind
of
ingrained
can
only
this sort
the
idol.
Is Life Worth
for the
Fondness
which
by
of
way
call it
word
scientist
know
may
you
'
that
It must
unscientific.'
'
is
53
of the notes
one
its votaries
killingany opinion
'
Living?
; and
its short
it disbelieves
be
granted
in is to
that
there
no
"
science
make
can
many
absolutely
arisen
in
have
then
of before, and
science's
career.
hundred
years
each
this
some
it could
us
away
Four
into
our
speak
to the
have
were
never
upon
the
problems
thought
brevityof
new
with
hands
matter
as
we
his
passed
sit here
of that,an
in
ence
audi-
than
smaller
or
many
seen
eye
how
conceptions
of what
successor
of science
room.
much
an
began
ago.
informing his
the torch
of
It
lifetime had
own
cast
that
Think
crude.
generation,how
formulated
been
so
scientific
new
own
our
mistake
black
unknown
of the human
species,
Essays in PopularPhilosophy.
54
days without
to
tale.
their
document
it credible
Is
such
monument
or
that
such
tell
to
mushroom
growth
is
else
Whatever
sea.
the world
that
certain,
"
be
certain, this
of
present
our
at
least
natural
is
of some
enveloped in a larger world
residual
of whose
sort
properties we at present can
frame no positiveidea.
this prinadmits
Agnostic positivism,of course,
ciple
cordial
terms, but
theoreticallyin the most
insists that we
it to any
must
not
turn
practicaluse.
We
have
no
right,this doctrine tells us, to dream
dreams, or suppose
anything about the unseen
part
of the universe, merely because
for
be
do
to
so
may
what
we
are
pleased to call our
highest interests.
for our
We
must
always wait for sensible evidence
knowledge
beliefs ; and
is
safe
had
or
in the
unknown,
no
either
is inaccessible
we
no
stake
no
evidence
this
Of course
hypotheses whatever.
If a thinker
enough position in abstracto.
frame
must
such
where
one
or
way
the other
would
vital needs, to
world
unseen
refusal
be
to
live
tained,
con-
believe
his wisest
cue.
an
because,
practicaland vital.
psychologists tell us, belief
alternative
as
the
are
and
is
to
doubt
are
Is Life Worth
believe
I refuse to
warm.
if you
the need of
just as
secrets
I doubt
as
And
much
gettingcold, I
lightno fire just as if it
that you
are
worthy of
uninformed
of all my
of the same.
If
you
/^worthy
insuring my house,
were
believe
not
55
is
room
if I believed
as
if I must
so
the
and
open
If I doubt
confidence, I keep
my
that
Living?
there
I leave
were
it
need.
no
insured
un-
is divine,
in life when
occasions
and
must
count
inaction
action,and
as
is
kind
when
not
to
of
tion,
ac-
be for
is to be
most
of commands?
say that
follyto
Is it not
inner interests
our
real connection
contain?
may
inner interests
In
our
we
such
sweat
such
cases
have
no
world
based
on
have
should
have
never
lie hidden
harmonies
interstices
law
can
matic
dog-
science
on
other
sheer
of
the
attained
between
crude
natural
to
proving
that
and
world.
Hardly a^
has been
established in science, hardly a fact ascertained,
which
not first sought after,often with
was
and
blood, to gratifyan inner need.
Whence
needs
them
classes
in
us,
them
from
come
and
we
do
not
know:
biologicalpsychology
with
Darwin's
'
accidental
we
so
far
find
only
variations/
56
But
the
inner
nature
is
eternal
than
in those
who
of causation
of
need
sign
of
itself is
feel it,as
the inner
be in
need
of uniform
laws
scientific
professionally
head.
The
toL of many
generations has proved the
latter need prophetic. Why
the former
not
one
may
if needs
be prophetic,too?
And
of ours
the
outrun
visible universe, why may
that be a sign that
not
invisible universe
is there?
an
What, in short, has
authority to debar us from trusting our
religious
demands?
Science as such assuredly has no authority,
for she can
only say what is, not what is not ;
and
the agnostic "thou
believe without
shalt not
is simply an
sensible evidence
coercive
expression
(freeto any one to make) of private personal appetite
of a certain peculiarkind.
for evidence
I speak of trustingour
mands,
Now, when
religiousdeby trusting ? Is the
just what do I mean
can
ever
"
'
'
word
to
carry
with
whose
it license
to
to
define in detail
anathematize
and
an
cate
excommuni-
is different?
Certainly not!
not
Our faculties of belief were
primarilygiven us to
heresies
make
and
orthodoxies
withal; they were
mands
given us to live by. And to trust our religiousdefirst of all to live in the lightof them,
means
and to act as if the invisible world which
they suggest
were
men
can
trust
real.
It is
live and
die
fact of human
nature,
that
faith
order
is not
The
ultimate
but
mere
"
58
be
may
present
the
see
it all
money
means,
with him
he
and
take
Or
life.
and
step of the negotiations,
at every
never
can
another
case
to
do
in his natural
know
dog's
greatlyjto
used
which
days. Consider-a
impress me in my medical-student
they are vivisectingin a laboratory.
poor dog whom
and shriekingat his executioners,
He lies strapped on
a board
is literally
dark consciousness
and to his own
He
a
cannot
see
single redeeming
in a sort of hell.
events
human
by
controlled
often
are
cal-seeming
diaboli-
; and
business
in the whole
ray
benighted mind
catch a glimpse of them, all
to
could only be made
would
in him
that is heroic
religiouslyacquiesce.
Healing truth, relief to future sufferingsof beast and
be genuinely
It may
to be bought by them.
are
man,
the
his back
on
of redemption. Lying on
a process
culably
incalbe performing a function
board there he may
life
canine
higher than any that prosperous
admits
performance, this
of; and yet, of the whole
function is the one
portionthat must remain absolutely
beyond his ken.
Now
turn
dog's life we
we
see
our
see
both
there,
believe
worlds
by
in that world
that
our
us
life of
be
may
world
"
may
life have
for
maybes?"
world
is
by
Well,
; and
him
have
to
hears
the
use
may
be
to
tion
essential func-
the most
now
be ! may be ! one
"
contemptuously exclaim ; what
But
because
it,yet encompassing
still wider
our
as
the
life,although we
human
his within
a
In
man.
invisible to him
In
world, and
poor
the
world
the
worlds.
these
unseen
as
if his
this to
from
live in both
only
which,
with
intentions
can
perform.
positivist
scientific
reply,the
'scien-
Is Life Worth
'
large has
life at
at all,his
originative
have
to
not
upon
deal with
to
to do with
maybe
maybes.
of faithfulness
deed
59
So
everything to do with them.
for anything, and
is productive
stands
man
as
Living?
or
or
said
victoryis gained,
is done, except
courage
service, not
be
may
far
sallyof generosity,
book,
not a scientific explorationor experiment or texting
that may
It is only by risknot be a mistake.
a
; not
persons
live at all. And
from
one
often
enough
in
result is the
our
uncertified
an
the result
hour
Suppose,
true.
come
to
our
another
we
faith beforehand
that
only thing
for
that
makes
instance, that
you
yourself
climbing a mountain, and have worked
into a position from which
the only escape
is by a
faith that you
terrible leap. Have
can
successfully
nerved
feet are
make
to its accomplishit,and your
ment.
mistrust
But
yourself, and think of all the
sweet
things you have heard the scientists say of
maybes, and you will hesitate so long that, at last,all
unstrung and trembling,and launching yourself in a
of despair,you roll in the abyss. In such a
moment
are
(and
case
it
of wisdom
as
in the line
need
belongs to
well
of your
an
of courage
as
the part
class),
enormous
is to believe what
fulfilled. Refuse
to
believe, and
is "
belief is the
you
shall
deed
in-
"
before
Now,
you
it appears
life is worth
contributed
to
me
that
your
the
act.
question whether
logically
Essays in PopularPhilosophy.
60
much
liver.
crown
like these.
It
If you
the
surrender
to
the evil edifice by your
own
indeed
nightmare
far
as
whatever
might
Your
goes.
worth
have
mistrust
yourself a
"
is not
very
Zeal, and
As
on
the
doubt,
of life has
of that
have
other
so
moved
re-
courage
divining
instead
you
Wordsworth
by
had
cling to it
Suppose you find
the ultimatum.
as
well-spring,
existence,
hand, that
view
nightmare
soldiers live
own
enduring existence
your
it; and now,
throughout the
given to
whole
sphere of possibleinfluence
the mistrust has proved itself to
But suppose,
power.
of giving way
to the
have
Pessimism,
world
your
you the
view
and
suicide, you
on
by
says, of
"
faith
by strength
roaringseas."
; as,
fightswith
that
our
own
reactions
on
Is Life Worth
of
feather's
weight;
by the
reversed
sense
is what
we
are
so
far
to make
determined
anything to
descriptionof
I have
order
is what
which
make
that
assumed
inspiresthose
that
point of view,
it,a
faiths that
efforts and
success.
selves
verifythem-
faith in
our
letters
say, since it
point of view ; and
with
do
three
its
can
it from
have
we
in this
Now,
living,we
have
may
of the
it',
from the moral
make
we
as
addition
life is worth
This
n-o-t.
long phrase
61
Living?
an
invisible
that
patience
unseen
will
But
similarlyverify itself?
Once
it is
more
maybes
are
that I do
essence
see
why
which
response
of
maybe
the
the very
of
and
us
make
may
my
blood
which
by
part, I do
own
what
know
not
and
tragedy of
this lifemean,
short
of this.
If this life be
is
something
it is
success,
from
it feelslike
reallywild
and
eternallygained
better than
no
which
real
one
may
fight,
"
in the universe
as
are
faithfulnesses,
first of all to
redeem
and
fears.
For
our
nature
is
such
our
a
adapted.
the
draw
fidelity.
our
if there
we,
needed
anything
real fight,
in
of
will.
But
something
were
with
all
alities
ide-
our
redeem
; and
from
atheisms
half-wild,half-saved
universe
own
The
hearts
universe
atricals
privatethe-
at
to
and
mean
for the
game
withdraw
gious
relivital
the sweat
which
personal
to
if they
not
ble
invisi-
an
the
on
more
I confess
of
existence
once
situation.
part depend
one
any
world
unseen
knows?
of
in
not
may
Who
case
the
not
world
faith in the
our
deepest thing
in
ouf
62
is this Binnenleben
doctor
(as a German
lately
called it),
this dumb
region of the heart in which
with our
alone
dwell
and
willingnesses
nesses,
unwillingAs
faiths and fears.
our
through the cracks
nature
has
we
of
crannies
and
which
in these
springs,so
the
Here
rise.
these
concrete
is
the
which
our
of
from
the fountain-heads
deeds
of personality
and
decisions
munication
deepest organ of comthings; and compared
of
movements
scientific
and
statements
form
outer
our
the nature
with
with
then
exude
waters
crepusculardepths
of all
sources
their
take
those
caverns
our
arguments
the
"
veto,
for
strict
positivist
pronounces
upon
like mere
faith
sound
to us
our
chatteringsof the
here
finished facts,are
teeth.
For
not
possibilities,
have activelyto deal ; and
the realities with which
we
friend William
to quote my
Salter,of the Philadelphia
of courage
is to stake
Ethical Society, as the essence
the essence
of faith is to
one's life on
so
a possibility,
example,
"
"
These,
of
afraid
"r
exists."
possibility
that the
believe
then,
last words
are
my
Believe
life.
that
to
you
life is worth
Be
not
living,and
your
belief will
then
and
the
words
there
faint-hearted, who
like those
with
and
you
were
not
here
decline
to
then
go
turn
on,
to
with
Crillon !
there."
we
fought at Arques,
The
THE
Sentiment
SENTIMENT
of
Rationality.
63
RATIONALITY.1
OF
I.
WHAT
at
selves
philosophersset themto perform ; and
why do they philosophize
Almost
will immediately
one
every
all?
than
by
one
But
shall
on
conception
the whole
chaotic
somewhat
carries
nature
attain
to
about
with
be
view
him
of
more
which
under
the
tional
ra-
every
his hat.
this rational
conception attained,how is
the philosopherto recognize it for what it is,and not
let it slip through ignorance? The
can
only answer
he recogbe that he will recognize its rationality
as
nizes
certain
everything else, by
subjective marks
When
it affects him.
he gets the marks,
with which
know
he may
that he has got the rationality.
A
What, then, are the marks?
strong feelingof
suppose
ease,
from
But
a
rest, is
peace,
state
this
This
them.
The
transition
of
positivecharacter.
of
of
one
is
rationality
essay
printedin Mind
as
far
for
as
Shall
we
constituted
page
then
say
of extracts
than
merely by
75 consists
prehension
com-
the
from
absence
an
article
it is a reprint of an
July, 1879. Thereafter
to the Harvard
PhilosophicalClub, delivered in 1880, and
the
Princeton
Review, July,1882.
publishedin
address
64-
"
"
of
present moment,
of all need
in short, as
think
seems
explain it,account
to
is what
to
its absoluteness,
to
we
with
us
are
enabled
of
this absence
"
for it,or
it,
justify
Rationality. As soon,
from
any
tanto
whatever
cause
perfectfluency,the thing
pro
"
we
think
of
rational.
tate
faciliconceiving the cosmos
of rationality.
this fluency,produce the sentiment
for itselfand
in such modes, being vouches
Conceived
But
this
further philosophicformulation.
needs
no
fluency may be obtained in various ways ; and first
Whatever
I will take up
modes
of
66
identical ;
earth
goes,
combustion
balloon
rises
one
the
by
friction
the
same
the
knowing respirationand
of understanding that
the
law
whereby the stone
warmth
in one's palm when
is identical
checks
beast
between
sleeve
one's
rubs
which
be
feelingthat
sinks ; of
one
to
of
; of
fish
and
fell the
the
sun's
which
tree
rays
got
we
to
be
which
of
climb
than
the
made
morning
our
father
other
no
the
motion
ence
recognizing the differbe
to
only a higher
human
degree of that between
we
strengthwhen
believingour
or
with
and
the
the
corn
; of
son
mountain
strength of
of
out
grow
meal?
this
alongside
"
"
its characteristics.
identifications,are
vague
recognize particularsin
their
It loves
full
completeness,
of these it can
and the more
carry the happier it is.
of incoherence, abruptness,and
It prefersany amount
fragmentariness (so long as the literal details of the
ceiving
saved) to an abstract way of conseparate facts are
them, dissolves
things that, while it simplifies
to
at the
away
and
a
man's
balance
of
philosophic attitude
of these
in him
men
set
up
for the thinker.
philosophy
among
their concrete
simplicitythus
real dilemma
A
time
same
can
which
two
rival
fulness.
ness
Clear-
claims, and
make
is determined
cravings.
No
by
the
system
hope to be universallyaccepted
grossly violates either need, of
the
entirelysubordinates
of Spinosa, with his
substance,
of
Sentiment
The
the
on
the other.
to
one
of all
union
barren
hand
one
Rationality.
that
of
67
The
fate
thingsin
one
with
Hume,
'
looseness
and
of
separateness
equally barren
ing
everything,on the other, neither philosopherownstrict and
systematic disciplesto-day, each
any
being to posteritya warning as well as a stimulus,
that the only possible philosophy must
be
show
us
abstract
and a
an
a
compromise between
monotony
concrete
heterogeneity. But the only way to mediate
between
diversity and unity is to class the diverse
'
his
"
"
items
as
in
'
of
cases
kinds
common
is thus
of their relations
and
the
which
essence
Classification
them.
'
of
things
conduct
into
cover
disyou
into extensive
classification
extensive
laws
'
philosophicunification. A
thus
be
never
completed theoretic philosophy can
than a completed classification of the
anything more
its results must
world's ingredients; and
always be
abstract, since
the abstract
the rest
the
essence
of the
basis
of
embedded
classification is
every
in the living fact,
livingfact being
"
for the
time
ignored
that none
of our
by the classifier. This means
explanations are
complete. They subsume
things
under
wider
heads
or
more
familiar; but the last
heads, whether of things or of their connections, are
abstract
data
which
mere
we
just find in
genera,
things and write down.
When, for example, we think that we have rationally
of the facts A and
B by
explained the connection
attribute x" it is
classingboth under their common
obvious
that we
have reallyexplained only so much
of these items as is x.
To explain the connection
of
is
choke-damp and suffocation by the lack of oxygen
68
to leave
and
on
on
agony
the other.
n, and
are
The
view.
likes
the
such
"
the
one
In
word,
far
so
as
convulsions
as
explosibility
and
in addition
p, q, respectively,
contain
they
Each
additional
not
explained by x.
larity
particuits distinct appeal. A
makes
single explanation
of a fact only explains it from
a
singlepoint of
/, m,
and
of suffocation,
and
choke-damp
both of
peculiarities
untouched
o,
fact is not
entire
elsewhere.
universe,
we
see
accounted
have
apply
that
been
this
the
x,
classed
to
now
to
with
the
their
case
of
explanation of the
explains it only so
movements
by molecular
To
invoke
far as it actuallyis such
the
movements.
is unknowable,
Unknowable
as
explains only so much
is thought, God
as
Thought
only so much
is God.
Which
as
thought? Which
only so much
God ?
are
questions that have to be answered
by
bringing in again the residual data from which the
All those data
abstracted.
that
was
general term
be analyticallyidentified with
the attribute
cannot
remain
universal principle,
invoked
as
as
independent
kinds or natures, associated
empiricallywith the said
attribute but devoid of rational kinship with it.
of all our
the unsatisfactoriness
Hence
tions.
speculathe one
On
hand, so far as they retain any
of
in their terms, they fail to get us
out
multiplicity
the other, so far
the empirical sand-heap world ; on
the practical
pises
desman
as
they eliminate multiplicity
The
most
their empty barrenness.
they can say
world
'
'
'
"
is that the
elements
and
that each
but
the
is left
of the
world
is identical with
are
such
itself wherever
is it found?
question Where
wit.
to answer
by his own
the
and
such,
found
practicalmai
Which, of all the
The
shall here
essences,
and
are
the
held
be
now
We
decide.
to
Rationality.
69
of
essence
philosophynever
fundamental
thing,the
this concrete
attempts
of
Sentiment
led
thus
the
to
clusion
con-
that
the
but
for the
substitute
of the
fulness
It is
truth.
strous
mon-
potent and
authoritative
enthusiast
moral
to
the artist
of
an
The
entire
nothing as an
livingitself.
who
goldner Baum.
equivalent for
Since
of desolation?
abomination
griindes Lebens
man,
the
does
ethics?
Why
philosophical
German
philosopher appear
every
Grau, theurer
Und
What
hers.
for
care
the ALsthetik
does
as
the
essences
by
life but
of
fulness
things
are
as
of
a
upon
of fact disseminated
results,will
and
dramatic
when
problems and
always escape
richness
tired of the
gray
tony
mono-
insipidspaciousnessof her
into the teeming
gleefully
of the concrete
world.
70
So
'
concept
be
can
realityexcept
with
in the conceiver.
the
relief of
human
substitute
valid
reference
The
to
concrete
particularinterest
theoretic rationality,
a
interest of
is
identification,
for
but
of
one
thousand
When
others
their heads, it
rear
purposes.
and
retire till its turn
pack up its littlebundle
must
The
recurs.
exaggerated dignity
philosophershave
greatlyreduced.
solutions
for their
claimed
value
and
that
is thus
ception
only virtue their theoretic conneed
have is simplicity,
and a simple conception
is an
equivalent for the world only so far as the
world
is simple,
the world
meanwhile, whatever
plex
simplicityit may harbor, being also a mightily comaffair. Enough
simplicity remains, however,
and
in our
enough urgency
craving to reach it, to
The
"
make
of
the theoretic
human
of
long
But
last
we
impulses.
things is an
there
as
function
suppose
have
are
the
a
ideal
that
unified
system
in the
But
now
has
I ask, Can
that
in all else be
It would
tempted
seem
at
the
made
at
that
sense
be
now
relief.
is the
first
rational.
ground
of
tionality
ra-
rational?
is
might. One
that,since the craving for
sight that
has
sal
univer-
Our
at
conceived
chaos
concrete
which
that
Suppose
been
concept
all.
at
attained.
ments
ele-
will follow, as
some
think
to
goal
fewest
quest of the
The
men
invincible
of the most
one
the
it
identification
of
one
The
of
Sentiment
which
be
rational
we
should
us,
in
sit down
further
spinning no
that
otherness
71
left
nothing else
craving definitively,
being left to annoy
In
at peace.
other
the boor
of
tranquillity
theoretic
the
No
se.
Rationality.
considerations
words,
results from
as
his
his chaotic
about
(provided it were
to banish
puzzle
philosopher and confer
whatever
datum
any
simple, clear, and ultimate) ought
universe,
so
inasmuch
peace,
Bain
would
then
considerations
in fact is what
says,
the
there
as
further
absolutely no
This
of
universe
the
from
some
for
be
spin.
to
think.
persons
him
Professor
"
of the mystery
: the resolution
may be apparent contradiction
is found in assimilation,
When
all things
identity,
fraternity.
so
assimilated,
holds,there
are
what
to
The
the
path of
is
mind
and
assimilation
as
an
end
as
can
go,
so
far
explanation; there
to
do, or
can
science
wider
generality,
widest
far
ness
like-
an
end
desire.
intelligently
can
exhibited
is
as
in modern
wider,until
we
reach
ages is toward
the highest,
the
laws of every
mind
other beside
is
so
wedded
of
the
its
process
will not
of
hold.
seeing
an
experience,that when
the notion
of an
is presented to it,it
absolute datum
ing
pointgoes through its usual procedure and remains
at the void beyond, as if in that lay further matter
for contemplation. In short, it spins for itself the
further positiveconsideration
of a nonentityenvel'
every
item
to
answer
Essays in PopularPhilosophy.
72
"ping
the
being
back
of its datum
recoils
and
as
that leads
where,
no-
the
its datum
thought toward
tity
again. But there is no natural bridge between nonenand this particulardatum, and the thought stands
to and fro,wondering
oscillating
Why was there anything
but nonentity; why just this universal
datum
and
and
another?"
finds no
not
end, in wandering
lost. Indeed, Bain's words
that
untrue
mazes
are
so
in reflecting
the attempt to fuse
it is just when
men
the manifold
into a single totalityhas been
most
the conception of the universe
as
successful,when
a
its perfection,
that the craving
unique fact is nearest
for further explanation,the ontologicalwonder-sickness,
arises in its extremest
As Schopenhauer
form.
The uneasiness
which
keeps the never-resting
says,
clock of metaphysics in motion, is the consciousness
that the non-existence
of this world is just as possible
"
"
as
its existence."
The
notion
parent of the
profoundest
thus be called
nonentity may
philosophiccraving in its subtilest
of
sense.
Absolute
with
existence
the
and
is absolute
the
nothing remain
unmediated
to our
understanding. One philosopher
only has pretended to throw a logicalbridge over
this chasm.
tity
Hegel, by trying to show that nonenlinked
and
concrete
together by a
being are
series of identities of a synthetic kind, binds
thing
everyinto a unity,with no
conceivable
tion
outlying nomystery,
to
within
for
disturb
its relations
its bounds.
Since
such
unchecked
of the
mind
movement
be held, if
feelingof rationality,he must
he has succeeded, to have
eternallyand absolutely
quenched all rational demands.
But for those who
deem
Hegel's heroic effort to
gives
the
74
Such
datum.
uttermost
of all hard*
Verstandesmenschen.
analysts and
Renouvier, and Hodgson promptly say that
minded
as
seek
nor
whole
soften the
to
reconcile
to
But
with
us
The
through ecstasy
of every
the world,
may
be made
by
confession
more
tical
mys-
of
be sought
rationality
may
logic fails. To religiousper
peace
when
shade
be
can
of
experience
ther
given,but nei-
abruptness of the
our
impotence.
mediating attempts
minds.
sons
account
no
Lotze,
of doctrine
it is,seems
moments
come
when
divinelyorderly,and the
plete,
rapturously comacceptance of it by the heart so
that
the
intellectual questions vanish ; nay,
intellect itself is hushed
Wordsworth
to sleep,
as
thought is not; in enjoyment it expires."
says,
fills the soul that ontologiso
Ontological emotion
cal speculation can
no
longer overlap it and put
her girdle of interrogation-marks round
existence.
of men
have
felt with
the least religious
Even
must
when
Walt
Whitman,
loafingon the grass on some
and
swiftlyarose
morning, that
transparent summer
spread round him the peace and knowledge that pass
as
so
"
"
"
all the
argument
of the
At
earth."
such
moments
something
energeticlivingwe feel as if there were
and
diseased
contemptible, yea vile, in theoretic
grubbing and brooding. In the eye of healthy sense
fool.
the philosopher is at best a learned
of
Since
the
heart
which
the
can
thus wall
head
out
the
ultimate
ascertains,the erection
tionality
irraof its
be
would
a
procedure into a systematized method
of first-rate importance. But
philosophicachievement
used by mystics hitherto it has lacked
universality,
as
being available for few persons and at few times, and
of
Sentiment
The
Rationality.
75
tion
being apt to be followed by fits of reacshould
that the
and
dryness ; and if men
agree
is a subterfugewithout
logicalpertinency,
mysticalmethod
entity
a
plasterbut no cure, and that the idea of nonbe exorcised, empiricism will be the
never
can
then will be a brute
ultimate
philosophy. Existence
the emotion
of ontologic
whole
fact to which
as
a
shall rightfully
wonder
cleave, but remain
eternally
Then
wonderfulness
unsatisfied.
or
mysteriousness
of things,
will be an essential attribute of the nature
and
and
the exhibition
tinue
emphasizing of it will conto be an
ingredient in the philosophicindustry
of the race.
Every generation will produce its Job,
in these
even
its
its
Hamlet,
With
this
Faust,
we
to
seem
its Sartor
or
have
Resartus.
considered
the
ties
possibili-
of
action
should
leave
that
sphere
betimes
and
into the
diverted
from
the
issueless channel
of
purely theoretic
contemplation,let us ask what conception of the universe
will awaken
active impulses capable of effecting
this diversion.
give back
blocked
make
to
in the
of
the mind
the world
Well,
two
logicaldemand,
the
free motion
which
which
will
has been
one
which
awakens
the
active
76
satisfies other
impulses,or
other, will be
the
than
aesthetic demands
accounted
the
better
rational
more
all data
choose
the observer
may
fore
there-
one
simply cumulate
A Beethoven
is truly,
another?
string-quartet
upon
has said, a scraping of horses' tails on
one
as
some
be exhaustively described
cats' bowels, and
in
may
the applicationof this description
such
terms
; but
of
in no way
applicability
precludesthe simultaneous
an
going
entirelydifferent description. Just so a thoroughin terms
of the world
of mechanical
interpretation
is compatible with its being interpreted
sequence
itself may
for the mechanism
be
teleologically,
designed.
several systems excogitated,
If, then, there were
equally satisfyingto our purely logicalneeds, they
stillhave to be passed in review, and approved
would
Can
nature.
or
rejectedby our aesthetic and practical
which
these parts of
define the tests of rationality
we
either
our
nature
between,
would
use?
Philosophers long
fact that
a
school
mere
ago
observed
the
familiaritywith things
feelingof
has been
or
so
their
much
remarkable
is able to
duce
pro-
rationality.The
empiricist
struck by this circumstance
The
as
and
to
Sentiment
laid it down
have
Rationality.
that the
thing, and
that
this exists.
The
juxtaposed in
one
kind
the
and
same
of
rationalitythan
daily contemplation of phenomena
certain
order
begets an acceptance
no
connection,
by theoretic
explain a thing is
; to know
other
77
feelingof rationality
are
feelingof familiarity
the
of their
of
absolute
as
as
the
repose
engendered
To
insightinto their coherence.
to
pass
easilyback
its antecedents
to
it is
must
be
one
of its factors.
We
said that
of
devoid
perfectlyfluent and easy thought was
of irrationality.
the sentiment
Inasmuch
then as custom
acquaints us with all the relations of a thing,it
teaches us to pass fluentlyfrom that thing to others,
and pro tanto tingesit with the rational character.
Now, there is one
particularrelation of greater
I mean
the
practicalimportance than all the rest,
relation of a thing to its future consequences.
So
long as an object is unusual, our
expectations are
baffled ; they are
it
as
soon
as
fully determined
any
"
becomes
familiar.
therefore
first practicalrequisitewhich
propose
this
as
the
philosophicconception
must
: It must, in
a
satisfy
general way at least,
banish uncertainty
from the future. The permanent
of the sense
of futurity
in the mind
has been
presence
strangelyignored by most writers, but the fact is that
consciousness
our
is never
at a given moment
free
from the ingredientof expectancy.
Every one knows
how when
a painfulthing has to be
undergone in the
a
78
future,the vague
near
all
vitiates
our
mood
our
attention
; it
when
even
keeps
it does
from
us
being
control
not
our
rest, at home
at
in
is true
when
a
given present. The same
great
the future is neutral
But when
happiness awaits us.
do not
and perfectlycertain, 'we
mind
it,'as we say,
but give an
attention to the actual.
Let
undisturbed
this haunting sense
of futuritybe thrown
off its
now
bearings or left without an object,and immediately
takes
But
uneasiness
in
possession of the mind.
novel
unclassified
or
experience this is just
every
the
what
occurs
while
custom
because
per
the
one
know
not
novelty per
; and
next
do
we
becomes
se
is
se
baffles while
mental
mental
will
what
come
irritant,
sedative, merely
other
the
settles
our
expectations.
feel the
feel at
'
take
we
know
what
up
what
doors
our
It is
may
what
open,
be
interestingobjects may
new
blow
may
'
home
in
simply that,at
quarters in
draughts
truth of this.
room,
in
forms
found
upon
may
in
What
is
place,
when
first,
new
we
our
do
not
back,
enter, what
cupboards and
corners.
new
after
few
from
manifestations
their character.
effect of expectation
utilityof this emotional
natural selection,'in fact,was
is perfectlyobvious ;
later. It is of the
bound
to bring it about
or
sooner
that he
utmost
practicalimportance to an animal
of the objects
have prevision of the qualities
should
The
'
Sentiment
The
him, and
that surround
sleep,for example,
of enemies,
dens
peril or
with
view
or
that
appearing object
important addition
might
to
"
indifference
if
might,
the
that
not
advantage,
go
of precipices,
in
the brink
on
79
he should
of circumstances
in presence
fraught either with
be
Rationality.
especiallythat
rest
to
come
of
some
chased,
the
newan
prove
larder.
Novelty ought to
All curiosityhas thus a practicalgeneirritate him.
sis.
We
need
only look at the physiognomy of a
into his
a
new
object comes
dog or a horse when
view, his mingled fascination and fear,to see that the
of conscious
element
insecurityor perplexed expectation
lies at the root
of his emotion.
A
osity
dog's curito
of his master
the movements
about
or
strange
behavior
whose
of
presence
moved
newspaper
to testifyto a
of the
sense
by the wind seemed
was
merely exhibitingthe irritation of
supernatural/
'
an
future.
uncertain
in
spontaneouslywas
could
brute
poor
tell what
which
could
unexpected
wonders
new
move
that
the
the next
moment
To
not
newspaper
itself so
back
turn
to
now
philosophy. An ultimate
be logicallyunrationalized,
though it
its qualityis such as to define expectancy, be
peacefullyaccepted by the mind ; while if it leave
the least opportunity for ambiguity in the future,it
datum,
will,if
even
will
that
to
distress.
universe
from
be
extent
in
Now,
which
mental
cause
the
the
ultimate
craving
for
uneasiness
if not
explanations of the
has elicited
rationality
the human
satisfied have
always played
of
a
expectancy
fundamental
to
part
80
The
term
been
by philosophersas
set
up
which
one
for
banishes
example,
Beharrlicheywhich
be
not
may
phenomena
set
may
have
we
the
minds
our
called
at
the
for
us
character
rest
And
in
be
its
although
detail
the
we
future
shall
is in store
inconsistent
that
so
das
says,
that whatever
bottom
of this term
stance/
Sub-
give rise,we
in a general way,
when
God, Perfection,Love,
substance
at
never
can
'
been, because
substance
or
it has
prophesy
to
which
to
as
Kant
as
eternal.
and
able
incalculable.
means,
will be
is essential
being
the
primordial has
attitude
our
with
the
ward
to-
even
the
defined.
unexpected is in a general sense
Take
mon
again the notion of immortality,which for combe the touchstone
of every
to
people seems
philosophic or religiouscreed : what is this but a
of expectancy
of saying that the determination
way
of rationality? The
essential
factor
is the
wrath
of science
against miracles, of certain philosophers
of free-will,has
precisely the
against the doctrine
root,
same
dislike
"
things which
stabilityof our
to
rout
may
outlook.
in the
such
substratum"
continue
would
the
should
we
to
terminated?
believe
we
can
that
should
we
be
in the
occur
be
discover
Should
we
so
then
be
now?"
upset the
this
If there
be
"
order, and
same
missed?
able to
not
it still existed
not
"
in
it at this
suppose
tions
annihilated, and let the sensa-
substratum
be
substance
Mill,
says
miraculously
instant
factor
strangely overlook
of
doctrine
ultimate
any
prevision or
our
writers
Anti-substantialist
function
admit
as
By
that
have
we
what
how
signs
its existence
as
now
much
have?
had
reason
And
to
if
believingit,how
have
Truly enough, if we
warranted
in
82
in their presence,
to rest
come
will seek
and
for solutions
reassuringkind.
We
then, I think, with perfect confidence
lay
may
first point gained in our
down
as
a
inquiry,that a
prime factor in the philosophiccraving is the desire
to have
expectancy defined ; and that no philosophy
will definitively
triumph which in an emphatic manner
denies the possibility
of gratifying
this need.
of
We
pass
with
this to
It is not
topic.
to
more
know
sufficient for
the future
in either of
For
scale
it must
define
in other
be
as
fatal to
great division of
satisfaction
our
many
the
A
to
our
merely
be
mined
deter-
agreeable or disagreeable.
ways,
philosophy
spontaneous powers.
will
the next
succeed
on
universal
future
respects, but
its universal
acceptance.
defects
First, its
be one
that essentially
not
principle must
dearest desires and most
baffles and
disappoints our
A pessimistic
penhauer's
cherished
principlelike Schopowers.
incurably vicious Will-substance,or Hartthe Unconscious, will
mann's
wicked
jack-of-all-trades
perpetuallycall forth essays at other philosophies.
tive
Incompatibilityof the future with their desires and ac-
ultimate
tendencies
is,in fact,to
most
men
source
of
more
disquietude than
Sentiment
The
in universal
relevancy
motives
at
Rationality.
affairs,as
blow, will be
one
Better
pessimism.
than
of
their
unpopular
more
the
the
enemy
materialism
than
is called
extradition
will always
why
fail of universal
adoption, however well it may fuse
clearlyit may
things into an atomistic unity,however
denies
prophesy the future eternity. For materialism
realityto the objectsof almost all the impulses which
The
cherish.
real meaning of the impulses,
most
we
it says, is something which
has no
emotional
interest
Void
eternal
for
is
This
face
annihilate
to
even
83
whatever.
us
quite
is
what
Now,
characteristic
as
both
of
'
emotions
our
as
of
'
our
of the
object as the cause
ence
an
intenselyobjective referIn like manner
lies in fear !
an
enraptured man
and
of
not
are
a
dreary-feelingman
simply aware
the force of their
their subjectivestates ; if they were,
feelingswould all evaporate. Both believe there is
outward
cause
why they should feel as they do :
either, It is a glad world ! how good life is ! or,
loathsome
What
tedium
is existence
!
a
Any
erence
philosophy which annihilates the validityof the refby explaining away its objects or translating
of no emotional
them into terms
pertinency,leaves the
point to
present feeling. What
senses
an
"
"
"
"
mind
with
little to
acutely brought
to
kindred
act, but
motives.
the
no
that
home
horror.
to
In
power
of
of there
for.
This
nightmare
we
is the
nightmare,
consciousness
; here
nameless
thought
act
or
from
condition
care
we
have
unheimlichkeit
but
it
have
powers,
comes
posite
op-
when
produces
motives
but
over
no
us
84
knower, which
is
we
universe
for
character
which
shall be
is the
as
each
that
point
whole,
vast
speak, and
"
is able
doer.
which
Small
the
as
what
do
in it
active
we
are,
propensities
minute
impinges
to
is congruous
with
that he balances
to
demand
and
cosmos
desires
one
We
emotions
our
match.
of us, each
one
at
the
point by
the
and
the
tion
reac-
demands
the
it expects
upon
latter,so
of him.
of
to
But
ral
wholly in the line of his natutions
propensities
; as he enjoys reactingwith such emoness,
fortitude,hope, rapture, admiration, earnestas
he very
and the like ; and
as
unwillinglyreacts
with
a
fear, disgust,despair,or doubt,
philosophy
of the latter
should
which
only legitimateemotions
his abilities to do
as
lie
"
sort
be
would
and
sure
to
tent
to discon-
prey
craving.
littlerecognized how
lect
entirelythe intelinterests.
The
is built up of practical
theory of
evolution is beginning to do very good service by its
of all mentalityto the type of reflex action.
reduction
a
Cognition, in this view, is but a fleetingmoment,
in its totality
cross-section at a certain point, of what
In the lower forms
of life
is a motor
phenomenon.
will pretend that cognition is anything more
no
one
The
than
germinal
a
guide to appropriate action.
question concerning things brought for the first time
It is far too
consciousness
before
is not
the
theoretic
'
'
What
is
or
rather,
practical Who
goes there?
is to be
has admirably put it, What
Horwicz
as
In all our
sions
discus'Was
done?'
fang' ich an?'
of lower animals, the only
the intelligence
about
is that of their acting as if for a purpose.
test we
use
that?'
but
the
'
'
"
of
Sentiment
The
Rationality.
85
is in
whit
no
altered.
It was
congenialway.
a
deep instinct in Schopenhauer which led him to
reinforce his pessimisticargumentation by a running
and his
volleyof invective againstthe practicalman
requirements. No hope for pessimism unless he is
React
it we
on
must
in
some
slain !
Helmholtz's
to
great
parts
words
as
on
the eye
than
sensations
shall
we
and
ear
commentary
utility
wholly
practical
our
which
works
little more
extent
parts of
immortal
determines
be
aware
are
on
which
of, and
shall
nate
ignore. We notice or discrimian
ingredient of sense
only so far as we depend
it to modify our
We
actions.
comprehend a
upon
thingwhen we synthetize it by identitywith another
standing,
thing. But the other great department of our underacquaintance (the two departments being
recognized in all languages by the antithesis of such
what
we
wissen
is that
also
and
but
kemien
scire and
noscerey
etc.),
synthesis, a synthesisof a
passive perception with a certain tendency to reaction?
We
are
as
we
acquainted with a thing as soon
have learned how
towards
behave
to
to
it,or how
the behavior
meet
which we
expect from it. Up to
that point it is still ' strange to us.
a
"
'
Essays in PopularPhilosophy.
86
If there
that
however
datum, he
universal
ultimate
it unknown
to
pretends that
be
it should
"
who
be
says
us
so
long
as
emotional
our
of
life is
he in the
or
said
to
leave
slightest
degree
active
rather
sort
one
be
cannot
attitude
than
toward
another.
He
much
may
"
'
'
its manifestations
which
toward
direction
drifting. The
unknowable
be
if it make
distinct
upon
such
surely are
If
we
not
may
demands
ignorant of
survey
the
seem
unfathomed,
its essential
to
be
but
we
activity
quality.
our
field of
periods of
shall find, I
the human
we
mind, displayin common,
have
think, simply this: that each and all of them
said to the human
being, The inmost nature of the
possess."
reality is congenial to powers which
you
of primitive
In what
did the emancipating message
that
consist but in the announcement
Christianity
feature
all great
"
recognizes those
paganism had so
God
which
repentance
at
least
the
it the
straightto
the
the
overlooked
be
nothing rightlycan
for paganism this
But
do
supernumerary,
pure
fair. Christianity
took
within
And
which
us
after the
so
it,in what
Take
did
the
it,
appealed
night of
obloquy
generous
with
the
impulses
tender
and
87
of God.
had
ages
realityto
commune
can
power
the heart
middle
even
one
was
Rationality.
rudely
made
the
weak
who
man
facultyof repentance
stragglertoo late for
and
of
Sentiment
The
defined
could
corda of the
sursum
God
but
What
the
"
caused
the wildfire
he
assurance
gave
influence
that man's
of Rousseau
nature
was
"
"
"
"
Essays in PopularPhilosophy.
88
is
part of destiny,"
"
of
exorcism
an
natural
of one's
In
I will
truth
"
word,
speak
to
all
Son
the
that
disciple.But
scepticism
manner
as
to
the
nothing but
pertinency
faculties.
unto
which
is in like
of Man,
thee ! "
stand
is the
only
revelation
of
need.
In
se
and
per
se
has
defined
hardly been more
by any of these formulas than by the agnostic x ;
that my
such as they
but the mere
assurance
powers,
irrelevant to it, but pertinent; that it
not
are, are
recognize their
speaks to them and will in some
way
reply; that I can be a match for it if I will,and not a
it rational to my
suffices to make
ing
feelfootless waif,
in the sense
Nothing could be more
given above.
absurd than to hope for the definitive triumph of any
and to
philosophy which should refuse to legitimate,
the more
in an emphatic manner,
powerful
legitimate
and practical
tendencies.
emotional
of our
Fatalism,
whose
solvingword in all crises of behavior is all
for the
reign supreme,
strivingis vain," will never
is indestructible
in the
impulse to take life strivingly
creeds which
Moral
speak to that impulse will
race.
be widely successful in spiteof inconsistency,
vagueness,
Man
of expectancy.
and shadowy determination
if one
be
needs a rule for his will,and will invent one
the
universal
essence
"
"
not
given him.
But
Men's
now
active
observe
most
impulsesare
so
important consequence.
that
mixed
differently
90
that he owns
the rough, harsh, sea-wave,
powers
north-wind
element, the denier of persons, the democ"
ratizer
is banished
"
because
for communion.
desire
much
jarstoo
it is the very
Now,
that throws
of this element
it
men
many
the
on
enjoyment
the materialistic
upon
action
revel in the
our
ego,
over
us.
of
let the
to
The
tides
will
that
lies in the
on
keep insisting
others,
with;
react
must
the
on
seen
the
kinds
in
for
of mental
per
tem-
Some
philosophy.
the atonement,
reason,
of
things,and that we
opacity of brute fact
act
can
that
we
against.
there
Now,
heart
two
respect
flow, even
strife of these
no
is
element
one
of
active
our
nature
religionhas emphaticallyrecognized,
but which
philosophers as a rule have with
tried to huddle
of sight in their
out
great insincerity
pretensionto found systems of absolute certainty. I
the
which
the
mean
Christian
element
of
faith.
Faith
doubt
is
something concerning which
possible; and as the test of belief
to
act,
in
to
us
one
may
say
which
we
call courage
in
in
cally
still theoretiis
willingness
readiness
issue of which
the prosperous
It is in fact the same
in advance.
cause
belief
means
to
certified
is not
moral
practicalaffairs ;
act
and
quality
there
of vigorous
widespread tendency in men
of uncertainty
amount
to enjoy a certain
nature
in their philosophiccreed, justas risk lends a zest to
worldly activity. Absolutely certified philosophies
will be
very
Sentiment
The
the inconcussum
seeking
one
conceiving the
he
of
to
trust, to
to
function.
universe
which
makes
and
makes
the
power,
generous
on
man,
average
risk a little beyond
essential
an
the
In the
part.
natures
of
fruits of mental
are
91
the
in which
but
Rationality,
of
an
the
Any mode
appeal to
man
seem
if
as
numbers.
tal
necessityof faith as an ingredientin our menattitude is strongly insisted on
by the scientific
philosophersof the present day ; but by a singularly
arbitrarycaprice they say that it is only legitimate
in the interests of one
when
used
particularproposition,
the proposition,namely, that the course
of
The
"
That
is uniform.
nature
the
admit,
which
truth
that she
laws
same
no
of
cognition as
postulateor
giltnur der
it.
interests
give
to
or
it
treat
regard
of
number
think
reason
any
as
man
well
As
as
row
to-mor-
to-day is,they
know
can
but
of action
Helmholtz
vertraue
:
:
urges
follows
follow
und
says
handle
in the
must
we
:
!"
all
"
Hier
And
Our
is in proposonly error
ing
of the postuor
justification
late,
otherwise
than begged at the
"
outset."
With
a
to
Rath
eine
Bain
Professor
very
assume
will
nature
that
to
our
all other
most
attitude
possibletruths,however,
influential
of faith is not
contemporaries
but
only illogical
Faith in a religious
shameful.
dogma for which there
is no
outward
are
proof, but which we
tempted to
just as we pospostulatefor our emotional interests,
an
tulate
Popular Philosophy.
in
Essays
o2
uniformity of
the
for
nature
intellectual
our
interests, is branded
of
depth
lowest
"
the
on
'sin'
'guilt'and
'
other
Why
does
the
stuff'
the
are
Why
it?
of
use
being
evidence
scientific
truth
more
than
same
as
they?
would
which
evidence
make
Mr.
seem
'
fore
proofs beLewes
reject
'
units
primordial
he believe in
does
on
without
Clifford fearlessly
proclaim his belief in the
conscious-automaton
him
is the
same
reach
can
calls it
He
truth
the
even
what
But
with
one
men,
of Belief.'
Ethics
believe
to
scientificevidence.'
genius, unless
this kind
Aufklarung might be
Professor Clifindefinitely.Take
ford's
multipliedalmost
article
the
"
as
modern
the
of
leaders
from
by Professor Huxley
immorality." Citations of
of4 mind-
quite worthless
to
sensitive
evidence
to
that bears
in
some
rection
di-
one
'
'
'
it foils !
"
vim
naturae
Pretend
work
But
what
when
we
we
the
may,
form
our
will,taste, and
do
in
be
not
whole
man
within
us
is
philosophical
opinions.
at
tellect,
In-
something
over
the
as
petty
as
philosopheracross
abstraction
of
an
the way.
The
surd
ab-
and
it is
ideallyas inept as
incredible
that
or
has
ever
Rationality.
actuallyimpossible.
who
men
philosophers should
be,
of
Sentiment
The
93
It is almost
themselves
working
philosophy can
any
without the help of
are
pretend that
been, constructed
How
have
personal preference,belief, or divination.
in so stultifying
their sense
for the living
they succeeded
facts of human
nature
not to perceivethat every
as
of science
either,whose initiative
philosopher,or man
for anything in the evolution
of thought, has
counts
taken
his stand
truth
must
and
be
can
in
lie in
one
of
sort
made
The
rather
direction
work
make
; and
has
than
another,
These
it work?
that the
his
best
mental
fruit
instincts
variations
the spontaneous
upon
is based.
the intellectual struggle for existence
in different
which
conviction
preliminary assurance
to
trying to
of dumb
sort
on
men
are
fittest
fair which
and
all
means
are
he is
flunginto
the
there
the
are
no
world,
rules
of
scientific game,
and
to
him
between
civilized
burdens
him
help
it
of fact
helps us
to
we
our
all
end.
and
or
more
But
call
us
and
nature
rules
of
proof,presumptions,
Naked
The
warfare.
of
it.
less do
if the
cheats
enter
means
for
and
the
game.
like,
As
it,because
presume
to
being right in
94
of their slow
advance
shall
crook, what
or
aid, by guesswork
Clifford's works,
say of them?
the Ethics
of
we
except
hook
by
or
all of
Were
Belief, forgotten,
he
short, if I
with
born
such
superior general
reaction
that I can
to evidence
rightand act
guess
of right action,
accordingly,and gain all that comes
while my
less giftedneighbor (paralyzedby his scruples
which
he dares
and waiting for more
evidence
he
not
as
longs to) still stands
anticipate,much
bidden
shivering on the brink, by what law shall I be forto reap the advantages of my
superior native
belief in such
sensitiveness?
I yield to my
Of course
this or distrust it,alike at my
a
case
as
peril,just as
I do in any of the great practicaldecisions
of life.
inborn
If my
faculties are
good, I am a prophet ; if
I
poor,
mouth,
am
am
failure
there
and
of life we
stake
theoretic
part
our
not
most,
end
an
the command
senses
may
me.
on
are
safer if
sion,
conclu-
ever
there, how-
laid upon
us
by science to believe nothing
is a prudential rule intended
maximto ize
our
errors
right thinking and minimize
instance
must
we
frequently lose
particular
we
to
be.1
our
the whole
her
of
persons
they
of
out
me
spews
will help us
persons
also stake
should
them
inarticulate
At
nature
our
surely we
is
we
follow
in the
truth
long run.
by
In
the
obeying it ; but
it consistently,
for
we
are
sure
to
ance
gains. It is like those gambling and insurourselves
rules based on probability,in which
we
secure
against
total
But
this
losses in detail by hedging on the
run.
hedging philosophy
cover
our
losses
with
our
should
be there ; and
this makes
it
inap-
what
a
being myself
in
But
live
think
or
words?
We
seem
cannot
of
degree
some
95
proving
realitywill
for
sense
wasting
not
refuted
in
five minutes,
who
chemist
the
take
trouble
bottle, finds
he
whether
some
others
conjectures that
has
arsenic, and
contains
to
faith.
or
some
the
labors
tester
of
of their
that he acts
"
of
results
his
action
or
the
corroboration, each
simple way,
put
hypotheses can be
A
defy ages.
may
certain
a
wall-paper
enough to lead him
of it into a hydrogen
But
like
theories
wrong.
of
that of the kinetic constitution
exhaust
may
faith
by
out
right
was
that of Darwin,
matter,
while
is that
difference
only
this
articulate in
very
all without
at
Rationality.
Faith
to
am
platitude,
so
with
all readers
to
of
Sentiment
The
generationsin their
truth proceeding in
if it were
as
true, and
to
the
question of religiousfaith as
to the individual
He
man.
plays the game
for
he
with
him to lose
losses,
bringsnothing
and
it is
for
deny,
one
he
now
or
humanity, is
runs
it shall be.
with
never
his
not
has
for
the
him.
Let
natural
latter
; he
run
him
home
comes
of life not
there
risk, and
the
to
escape
exists
deed
in-
doubt, believe,or
right to
choose
which
96
he
uttermost
to
should
out,
fool's
my
days
in
the
dupe
of such
of
materialism
of Rome,
which
much
as
or
Our
too
vague
reasons
are
if it
spent
been
the
should
go
in, had
we
French
empire or the
other system of thingstoward
is vast enough to determine
any
energeticaction, but
but
have
"
cunning reader
then
beyond all doubt
short, we go in against
we
second
repugnance
our
In
view."
against the
chance,
Church
which
that
very
better
paradise,why,
than
this
that I have
it may,
dreamland
itself to
unmasks
like
world
indeed
as
something like
tenfold glory ;
with
triumph
expect then
turn
is
means
now
of
our
to
issue in distinct
gumentation
ar-
surate
ludicrouslyincommenfeeling,
yet on the latter
unhesitatinglyact.
we
I wish
show
what
knowledge has
been
ured
never
clearlypointed out, that belief (as meascontinually
by action) not only does and must
outstripscientific evidence, but that there is a certain
class of truths of whose
realitybelief is a factor as
well as a confessor ; and that as regards this class of
truths faith is not
tial
only licit and pertinent,but essentruths
become
and
cannot
indispensable. The
Now,
true
tillour
to
faith has
made
to
them
my
so.
climbing in the
Suppose, for example, that I am
Alps, and have had the ill-luck to work myself into a
positionfrom which the only escape is by a terrible
leap. Being without similar experience,I have no
of my
evidence
abilityto perform it successfully;but
I shall
sure
hope and confidence in myself make me
not
miss
aim, and
nerve
my
feet to execute
what
without
been
my
those
98
universal
Let
be
to
if
in which
said that
the
change
of
were
egregious error
it not
component
and
become
might
whole
reaction
is too
be
complexion,
altered
character
it lies imbedded.
one
would
its character.
infinitesimal
of the
immense
Everything depends
philosophic proposition
the
three
letters,n-o-t
many
monstrous
mass
have
its
"
courses
of action
open
before
me,
either of which
Sentiment
The
of
Rationality.
99
I may
suppose
which
decide
will
events
my
in which
possiblemanner
is the
standard
evolutionist
an
obsequious
method
of
can
use
his
the
forecasting
"
"
All
this
is
no
caricature.
That
the
of
course
tionist
destiny may be altered by individuals no wise evoluought to doubt.
Everything for him has
has a bud which
small beginnings,
be
nipped,'
may
and
and
races
nipped by a feeble force. Human
'
follow
tendencies
The
which
race
has
of men,
in
have
best, according
also small
nings.
begin-
evolution, is that
biggest endings. Now, if a present
the
enlightened in
able
and
to
tribe
future supremacy;
the
to
evolutionaryphilosophy,
arisingnear
were
able
them
to
the
see
able
to
cern
dis-
of
potentiality
that their
own
i oo
race
would
the
new-comers
unmolested,
these
"
to
open
courses
with
the
now,
and
would
present sages
ours
both
In
the
cases
action
foundation
the evolutionist
for
is
in the
zero
herd
of
right as
it
sured
mea-
for
it is action
"
of ethics is
nullities
of events.
march
and
purely
whose
But
votes
for
others,
whose
import, and
whenever
to
we
the
rest
of us, each
this school
ultimate
ethical factor.
such
makes
is
conduct
going
to
succeed?
belief
as
one
For
again
act
; energy
"
Take
"
must
that
full it is
which
type of
What
virtues?
is
question,What
fall back on personal
depends
of the truth.
on
of
energy
shall not
on
faith that
we
on
the
that
faith
himself
whether
much
so
being
of
noise
are
we
world
age,
optimism
just now
sometime
must
life is worth
looking at the
of misery, of old
in
faith
admit
right. The
ideal
conditions
and
an
the determinat
philosophy
is the
needs
again success
again depends
to
"
the
of the ultimate
which
as
Any
on
fail ; and
right,
depend
good?
will then
reckoned
shall be
What
humanity?
in his measure,
contribute
a cause
we
espouse
of
of the evolutionarystandard
discipleof
trulywise
an
the
to
race
of
leaders
as
two
harmony
objectiveonly
to
have
by the evolutionarystandard,
the winning side.
count
left
evolutionary test:
survives.
Thus
by
and
or
in
cide
de-
pose
living. Supseeing how
of wickedness
and
The
of
Sentiment
Rationality.
101
future,he yieldsto
conclusion, cultivates disgustand dread,
pessimistic
pain,and
the
unsafe
how
own
thus
pendent
phenomena, indethe
of his subjectivity,
subjectivecomplement
of the whole
makes
an
utterlyblack
xy which
by no gleam of good. Pessimism
picture illumined
completed, verified by his moral reaction and the deed
in which
M
this ends, is true beyond a doubt.
+ x
of things totallybad.
man's
The
state
a
expresses
belief supplied all that was
it so, and
lacking to make
that it is made
the belief was
now
so
right.
adds
the
to
But
now
mass
that
instead
and
finds
of
mundane
that with
suppose
reaction
man's
the
of
He
suicide.
finallycommits
and
striving,
ceases
is his
is
giving
sterner,
the
not
the M
every
is here
the
evil he
suppose
braves
it,
wonderful
more
confess
one
the
to
reversed
exactly
way
same
conditio
upon
that
than
the
sine qua
him
his
proves
their match,
"
bad
character
of
of
the
good
character of the x?
Will not every one
clare
instantlydefitted only for fair-weather human
a world
beings
susceptibleof every passive enjoyment, but without
or
independence, courage,
fortitude,to be from
a
moral
point of view incommensurably inferior to a
world
framed
to
elicit from
and
triumphant endurance
As James Hinton
says,
the
non
man
every
conquering moral
form
of
energy?
"
"
Little
inconveniences,exertions,pains,
only thingsin
be
not
"
which
we
there, existence
these
are
the
If these
;
sue-
Essays in PopularPhilosophy.
102
cess
in
in
endurance
I say.
a fact.
the
to
the
It may
or
Now,
this
is not
fixed
That
be
life : the
more
it.
The
our
"
they are
life.
So
an
evil,but
necessarily
good."1
an
got
our
proper
the
But
it if
some
good,
we
shall
we
enjoyablesuffering
the
exhaustion
thus
unendurable,
we
are
must
say,
make
it
the
cognition of
the
creation
of the
makes
alone
sick.
be
and
achieved
that
can
We
not
means
have
other
since
it is what
How
good.
truth
not
more
highest
only by
our
about
come
born
of the faith
energy
shall succeed
in getting
we
moral
try pertinaciouslyenough.
we
of satisfaction.
utter
can
life ;
or
way
perceive pain is no
you
of the
essential element
highest good
getting our
proper
only by help of a
that in
line of
that
great, but
too
made,
are
perfectnessof the
they are, unendurable, awful,
in misery
be
borne
to
save
pains are, as
overwhelming, crushing,not
and dumb
impatience,which
patient, that our pains are
that
or
element
an
; it fluctuates with
one
we
paradox ; it is
endurance
is justaccording
physicalvigorand balance,
be made
stand
is the way
mystery
in
enjoyment
can
cannot
man
This
not
may
endurance
more
life.
their energy.
of
intensity
sick
and
truth?
can
we
we
faith which
M
has
This
world
make
it,
and
"
exclude
from
is involved
its character
is
in
terminate,
inde-
going
susceptibleof forming part of a thoroughhand, or of a meliorism,
pessimism on the one
moral
(as distinguishedfrom a sensual)optimism
of the
All depends on
the other.
the character
a
on
Life of
on
Picton.
James Hinton,
Faith
and
Sight
Hinton's
Mystery
on
of Pain
this
will
subject.
undoubtedly always
remain
personalcontribution
The
desire.
belief
wish
father
was
Let
question whether
the
unmoral
an
radical
this be
universe,
"
what
The
the
fact, as
thought.1
the
to
turn
now
us
the
to
be
ically,
log-
may
its verification.
creates
the
to
103
facts to
inexpugnably believe
father
literally
thought becomes
the
contribution,we
legitimately,and
we
Rationality.
Wherever
x.
such
contain
formulated
of
Sentiment
The
and
at
question of life,
"
bottom
whether
see
moral
the
or
method
faith may
legitimatelyhave a place there. It is
Is the world
a
really the question of materialism.
of
brute
de facto about
actuality,an existence
be said is that it
which
the deepest thing that can
happens so to be ; or is the judgment of better or
of ought, as intimatelypertinent to phenomworse,
ena
the simple judgment is or is not f
The
as
rialistic
matetheorists
of worth
are
say that judgments
themselves
of fact; that the words
matters
mere
bad
have no sense
good and
apart from subjective
passionsand interests which we may, if we please,play
fast and loose with at will,so far as any duty of ours
simple
'
to the
a
'
'
non-human
materialist
inconvenience
universe
says it is better
than to break
a
Observe
If M
interests have
all applies as
well to
the belief
prompts
for him
also
are
we
If,however, free
by augmenting
their
the moral
frequencyin
acts
be
has
as
to
been
energy
given individual.
said
leads
fixed.
But
with
of free-will.
indeterminate
an
possible,a
which
suffer great
knit up
so
to
become
belief which
the
Thus, when
word
predetermined
is concerned.
to
fixed
or
It
universe.
and
the desire
not, these
necessarily
preceding
the truth M
faith in their
givesthem
-{-x
which
possibility,
birth,will increase
104
it is better
ulterior
again
are
either
good
except
themselves
possibly
interests
with
in
spite of
are
neither
reference
which
to
themselves
without
subjective data
mere
character,
bad.
or
the absolute
For
of
order
being granted,
once
to
the interests
everything. But
right nor
wrong,
some
interests
the
moralists,on
terests
contrary, the in-
have
to
me
have
this
not
there
those
best
interests,and
the old
Like
me.
"
for the
in the
woman
to
cosmos
story who
described
world
rocks
a
either
rest
to
on
The
on
as
down,
"
universe
and
the other
in morals, when
jectivist
between
one
is
the
ultimate
this to
moral
be
order
should, or
down.1
practicaldifference
and
believes
hold
must
absolute
an
series of shoulds
of moralist
he who
this
enormous.
objectivesort
The
sub-
his moral
feelingsare at war
mony
with the facts about
him, is always free to seek harby toning down the sensitiveness of the feelings.
data, neither good nor evil in themselves,
Being mere
lull them
to sleep by any
he may
or
pervert them
serving,
at his command.
means
Truckling,compromise, timeof conscience, are conventionally
capitulations
carried out,
for what, if successfully
opprobrious names
1
In either
which
the
feelingof
he
case,
as
later
bows.
individually
essay
io6
without
interpretation,
obliging you in any way ta
of its formulation.
If this be an
change the essence
universe, all acts that I make
on
objectivelymoral
that assumption, all expectationsthat I ground on
it,
will tend
and
more
more
completely to interdigitate
with
the phenomena
already existing. M + x will
I live,and the more
the
be in accord ; and the more
the more
fruits of my
tory
satisfacto light,
activitycome
the
a
moral
the
universe, and
of
course
While
will grow.
consensus
if it be
of my
belief,and
in
such
that it is,
mistakenly assume
experience will throw ever
in the way
difficult to
not
ments
impedi-
new
become
and
more
its
language. Epicycle
lipon epicycleof subsidiaryhypothesis will have to be
invoked
a
to give to the discrepant terms
temporary
of squaring with each
other; but at last
appearance
more
this
even
to
be
not
will fail.
resource
the
If,on
express
other
the universe
hand, I rightlyassume
moral, in what
does
my
verification
sist?
con-
"
"
"
limited
certain
of
series
there
seriousness, he who
be a
may
in the main
great appearance
treats
things
degree
of
of
Sentiment
The
Rationality.
107
it makes
bottom
at
thwarted
evermore
muddled
drift farther
farther
and
and
from
away
which
reconciliation
or
certain
final atonement
that
partialtragedies
get.
is the watchword
Anaesthesia
brought to bay
and
results
the
to
put
Act
moralist.
of the
and
what
himself
often
difference
no
on
of your
his
of the
moral
sceptic
my
action
will
the
prove
creed
of
of
the sake
For
have
simplicityI
written
as
if the
verification
"
will not
the
his share
proof will
doubt
gap
which
an
the last
things,when
contributed
even
be
whether
alone
and
'
be
to
kept
'
till the
final
has had
man
; then
moralistic
the M
harmonious
tion
integra-
his say
complete
the
in
x.
and
Then
it will appear
x
has
out
with-
filled up
of the world
from
unity, or
whether
the
ing
form-
the
Essays in PopularPhilosophy.
io8
has
touches which
given the finishing
needed
the M
to make
outwardly
appear
it inwardly was.
if this be
so,
non-moralistic
alone
were
vain
as
as
But
taken
clear that
is it not
facts
Mt
justifya conclusion
either way
in advance
of my
action?
My action is
the complement which, by proving congruous
or
not,
per
reveals
se,
are
latent nature
the
applied. The
lock, whose
world
inward
reveal
never
inadequate
the
of the
in
may
which
to
mass
fact be
moral
nature,
itself to
to
likened
it is
unto
unmoral,
or
simply expectant
our
will
gaze.
The
forbidding us to make
positivists,
any assumptions
to eternal
us
regarding it,condemn
ignorance,
for the
evidence
which
never
they wait for can
has put
come
so
long as we are passive. But nature
into our
hands
two
keys, by which we may test the
If we
lock.
it is a moral
try the moral key and itfits,
If we
lock.
key and it fits,it is an
try the unmoral
unmoral
I cannot
of any
lock.
possibly conceive
other sort of evidence
or
'proof than this. It is
quite true that the co-operation of generations is
'
'
'
'
needed
The
to
it.
educe
But
in these
the solidarity
matters
is a patent fact.
race
(so called) of the human
active prefessential thing to notice is that our
erence
that it is
is a legitimatepart of the game,
of the keys, and
to try one
plain business as men
If then the proof
confide.
in which
most
we
one
"
our
the
exist not
tillI have
acted, and
I must
needs
in
acting
how
the popular
can
being wrong,
science
professors be right in objurgating in me
the strict logic of
infamous
as
a
credulity which
the situation
requires? If this really be a moral
universe ; if by my
acts I be a factor of its destinies;
run
the
risk
of
'
'
if to believe
where
I may
doubt
be itself a moral
act
The
Sentiment
of
Rationality.
109
refuse
whether
to
stop
it be
abetting the
because
mountain
not
because
homicide,
justifiable
If I refuse
crime.
in doubt
am
her afloat,I
murder
whether
to
bale
virtually
am
out
my
to be
efforts will
my
am
activelyconnive
doubt
in
am
He
destruction.
boat
keep
If in the
a
who
leap,I
mands
com-
duty, of
freedom, of immortality, may
again and again be
from
him
who
dogmaticallydenies
indistinguishable
is an active ally
them.
Scepticism in moral matters
of immorality. Who
for is against. The
is not
will have
universe
in these
neutrals
no
questions.
In theory as in practice,
dodge or hedge, or talk as
like about
wise scepticism,we
we
are
a
reallydoing
volunteer
militaryservice for one side or the other.
sands
this necessity practically
Yet obvious
is,thouas
of innocent
magazine readers lie paralyzedand
terrified in the network
of shallow
negations which
the leaders of opinion have
thrown
their souls.
over
All they need
free and
to be
hearty again in the
exercise
of their birthrightis that these fastidious
vetoes
himself
not
should
be
swept
credulous
away.
of God, of
All
that the
human
in
Essays
no
heart
chance.
its
is
wants
Popular Philosophy.
certainty in universal
to
feel
to
run
matters
in them
that
no
like the
pages,
of
rewarded
for
To
up
sum
my
No
rational
meeting
logical demands)
pretend
to
of
And
if
make
will
not
direct
which
appeal
hold
it in
to
I, in these
last
gnawed
few
that
be
has
been
than
more
and
expectancy,
a
right
permanently be
to
(in addition
to
some
degree
which
does
allowed
refusing
fable, have
men
determine
degree
of
all
by
be
can
inalienable
same
philosophy
deemed
greater
it
sophistical net
lion-strength,I shall
pains.
its
down
binding
only
willinglyforego
the
strings of
the
in the
mouse
if
dreams
one
pettiestpractical affairs.
the
will
that
it has
risks, which
It
to
in
still
all those
ers
pow-
highest esteem.
of these
will always remain
Faith, being one
powers,
be
banished
from
factor not
to
structions,
a
philosophic conthe more
it brings
since in many
so
ways
forth
In these
its own
verification.
points, then,
it is hopeless to look
for literal agreement
among
nature
our
we
in
mankind.
The
ultimate
must
in all its
philosophy,
be
not
heresy
therefore
may
strait-laced
too
parts divide
we
in
from
form,
clude,
con-
orthodoxy
by
above
be left over
and
must
sharp a line. There
propositions to be subscribed, ubique, semper,
omnibus,
may
own
done
which
escape
from
faith at
its
will
realm
another
be
to
fall within
into
which
pedantic scruples
own
risks ; and
mark
faith's
out
et
ab
soul
indulge its
and
can
distinctlythe
sphere.
too
the
stifled
the
all that
not
must
here
be
questions
Reflex Action
REFLEX
Members
LET
confess
me
find
Ministers'
the
Institute:
the
to
ill
THEISM.1
AND
ACTION
of
Theism.
and
with
diffidence
myself standing
here
When
to-day.
reached
invitation of your committee
me
simple truth is that I accepted it as most
which
I
the
last fall,
the
accept
men
"
short hour
one
Goethe's
"
verses,
Vor
den
Sicher
I have
; and
task, and
the consolation
sich
stellen,
Fallen,"
the
bering
remem-
"
Wissenden
the
of
"
hardest
liveliest
they
people
sense
know
to
they
satisfy,
of the difficulties
quickest when
hits
one
the mark.
Since
most
it
was
as
teacher
of
when
unworthilyofficiating
Address
delivered
to the
Unitarian
printedin
the
physiology that
your
committee's
Ministers'
Unitarian
was
invi-
Institute at Princeton,
Review
for October
of
U2
tation reached
of
bringing a
blow
I must
me,
that somewhat
over
is desired.
restless
all the
Among
that my
sea
healthy
presence
that
symptoms
of
a
of science
men
chance
better
Darwin
quote
about
of
universal
listened
being
Helmholtz
and
Schleiermacher
One
matters.
to
runs
to-day if one
than
if
one
can
only
can
of
the remainder
there be not
or
the
something
I will
hour.
of
ask
not
fashion
whether
in this
prestige
of the physiologistsenjoy just now.
the words
which
If it be a fashion, it is certainlya beneficial one
upon
with a
the whole ; and
to
come
challenge it would
he speaks is
who
at the moment
poor
grace from one
so
conspicuously profitingby its favors.
I will therefore
only say this : that the latest breeze
need
horizon
not
from the physiological
necessarily
amount
Of the immense
be the most
important one.
ica,
the laboratories of Europe and Amerwhich
of work
and
may
one
add
producing
year,
every
refutation ; and of more
is purely technical,and
or
mere
of
Asia
and
Australia,
are
much
is destined
it may
not
in any
to
speedy
degree philosophical
universal.
This
fall back
being
on
established
the case,
doctrine
rather than
I know
which
novel, and
ask
you
if I
well
whether
H4
for the
only
is thus
action
the
or
sake
of
callingforth
reaction
the
the
upon
final act.
world
outer
All
; and
or
contemplation
stage of consideration
of a
thinking is only a place of transit,the bottom
middle
loop, both
whose
ends
outer
world.
in the
in the outer
roots
it led to
abortive.
pathologicalor
in
runs
at
our
eyes
or
while
of these
whichever
the
inside
circumstances
ears
The
The
to
organs
run
of the
is to determine
shall,on
that
either
of life which
current
use
no
tial
essen-
considered
is meant
only
happen
fail of its
be
to
tion
applicahave
ever
ever
it would
have
of
point
if it should
measures,
would
function, and
their
If it should
world,
active
no
have
out
at
our
thoughts
its direction
the
actually present,
it
to
whole, under
act
in
the
way
welfare.
propitious to our
The
nature, in short,
willing department of our
dominates
both
the conceiving department and the
feelingdepartment; or, in plainer English, perception
and
only there for behavior's
thinking are
most
sake.
I
one
am
sure
am
not
of the fundamental
drift of modern
If asked
what
in
wrong
conclusions
statingthis
to which
result
as
the entire
us.
physiologicalinvestigation
sweeps
physiology has made
great contribution
sure
psychology of late years, I am
every
tent
compeauthoritywill reply that her influence has in no
been
so
weighty as in the copious illustration,
way
of this broad, general
verification,and consolidation
point of view.
be the posI invite you, then, to consider
what may
sible
involved
in this great
speculativeconsequences
inates
achievement
of our
generation. Already, it domdone
in psychology; but
work
all the new
to
Reflex
I wish
what
of
those
beyond
theology
of reflex
of
doctrine
theism
been
and
the
wanting
less
no
first in
writers
of
superstition
open,
of
matter
topic
to
the
trine
doc-
than
the
which
for
There
have
not
God.
instance, such
der
as
will
you
the field.
psychology,
Schneider,
relations
into
attention.
If you
The
with
not
may
psychology, even
the
not
are
herself.
115
its influence
the limits of
action
invite your
We
Theism.
and
is whether
ask
to
far
extend
now
Action
book
Thierische
on
Wille
find, sandwiched
in
ative
compar-
of G.
among
H.
the
ject,
dealings of the author with his proper suband popping out upon
in unexpected places,
us
the most
delightfully
naif German
onslaughtson the
degradation of theologians,and the utter incompatibility
of so
reflex adaptations to the environment
many
with the existence
of a creative
intelligence.
There
of us
was
a
time, remembered
by many
here,
admirable
when
the
existence
harmonies
held
to
him.
Into
my
not,
did
objectfor
possible
as
lying at
in other
about
ambition
which, if he
other
I must
enter.
or
all the
and
again.
this debate
to
existent
him
action
the
between
a God.
prove
The
next
turn
proof of
limit
of reflex
words,
to
that
all events
exist,would
framed
minds
root
is this
up
showing
is at
the
humbler
the
form
ground, and
God, whether
kind
the most
like
our
own
of the universe.
that
some
tend
pre-
outward
of
being
adequate
to
ceive
con-
My thesis,
realityox
n6
a
defined
nature
God's
as
nature
be
must
defined, is
time
object that is at the same
rational and
mind's
plation.
contempossiblefor the human
is not
Anything short of God
rational,
than
is not possible,if the huGod
man
anything more
mind
be in truth the triadic structure
of impression,
the
ultimate
only
reaction
reflection,and
which
at
we
the
outset
allowed.
whatever
its
thus
objectivewarrant, would
be seen
to have
a
subjectiveanchorage in its conit
nature
as
thinkers; and, however
gruity with our
fare with its truth,to derive from this subjective
may
adequacy the strongest possible guaranty of its permanence.
Theism,
It is and
opinion,the
mean
of rational
of
"
it be
Whether
to
one
me,
of
or
in such
not
those
accordance
questions
that
is,it seems
belong
to
the
that
you
doubt
or
and
to
each
believe
of
one
is entitled
either
to
ties
harmony between his faculthat,whether he doubt or be-
in the
us
Reflex
it alike
lieve, he does
and
Action
his
on
Theism.
and
117
personal responsibility
risk.
"
Du
glauben, du
musst
die Gotter
Denn
ein Wunder
Nur
In das
schone
musst
wagen,
leihn kein
dich
kann
Pfand,
tragen
Wunderland."
I will
and
one
to
the other.
outbid
longer over
mind,
so
what
to
as
before
ask
you to
called the
me
I have
be
going
of which
that
sure
to
on
lingera
reflex
moment
theory of
understand
we
consider
those
it absolutely
of its
sequences
con-
to speak.
particularly
I am
not
quite sure that its full scope is grasped even
by those who have most zealouslypromulgated it. I
that
not sure, for example, that all physiologists
am
see
it commits
them
to regarding the mind
as
an
tially
essenmechanism.
I mean
teleological
by this that the
conceiving or theorizingfaculty the mind's middle
functions
department
exclusivelyfor the sake of
ends that do not exist at all in the world
of impressions
receive by way
of our
but are
we
set
senses,
by
emotional
and
our
practicalsubjectivity
altogether.1
It is a transformer
of the world
of our
impressions
into a totallydifferent world,
the world of our
ception;
conam
more
"
"
"
and
interests of
the
our
transformation
volitional
nature,
whatsoever.
Destroy the
purpose
the definite subjective purposes,
1
See
and
for
in
volitional
Remarks
on
the
other
no
nature,
preferences, fond-
some
Journal of
is effected
in the
1 1
8
for
nesses
certain
motive
slightest
our
experience
have
the
the
would
to
elaborate
world's
order
can
remain
be
remodelled
be
contents
order
; there
is
We
have
do
no
have,
escape.
in an
break
to
that
and
'
'
able to make
are
and
we
we
as
others
But,
constitution
effected
it is like.
altogether,
items
all.
of
order
given to each of us
subjectiveinterests that we
of the imagination pictureto
foreign to our
hardly by an effort
what
at
the
not
brute
are
so
ourselves
for the
volitional
remodelling must
The
we
tendency;
to
out
definite
foresee
; and
to
of sequence
particular liabilities and
threads
mony
har-
enjoy simplicityand
should
others
should
become
non-existent
the
sounds, I hope,
"
evoke
nothing
to
with
thought,
which
from
with this
do
in what
them
no
have
or
organ
order.
The
this moment
scene
we
rational,because
"
we
places in
some
real
world
is the
sum
that
it leads
"
rational
to
few
uttering
that
your
memory
fitted to
associates
call
have
bine
com-
train
of
conclusion
appreciate? We have
appreciate the simply given
it is given objectivelyat
as
total of all its beings and
organ
facultyto
to
Action
Reflex
events
we
But
now.
realize for
existence
the
flies
wilderness,
dies in
Amazon,
with
events
one
another
and
into
them
unite
in
France.
in
with
million
bond
that
all
While
fish at
between
of these
others
them,
for
means
horse
What
contemporaneity
rational
anything
Germany,
born
are
the
of
tree
Does
form
disjointed,
Can
sum?
cross-section
sneezes
twins
Tartary,and
that mean?
does
man
119
definite
of the
mouth
the
of such
what
instant
an
Theism.
think
we
at
and
I talk
can
and
us
as
and
world?
ing
justsuch a collateral contemporaneity, and nothIt is an order
else,is the real order of the world.
have
with which
we
nothing to do but to get away
break it:
from it as fast as possible. As I said,we
Yet
we
and
break
we
histories,and
it into
break
feel at home.
it into
We
it, and
orders
of
though
the others
sciences
make
any
did
not
; and
exist.
We
begin to
we
separate serial
of these
one
it into arts,
then
thousand
ten
on
break
we
react
we
discover
as
among
never
given to
parts relations that were
all (mathematical relations,tangents, squares,
its various
at
sense
and
roots
and
infinite number
logarithmicfunctions),and
of these
we
call certain
ones
out
of
an
essential
science
; and
the
miracle
of
exhaustively cleared up
that the given order lends itself to
of
It shows
itself plasticto many
yet
the
our
remodelling.
to
scientific,
120
of
many
to
aesthetic,
our
and
the
of affairs,
the artist,or
man
he
fails,
is not
rebutted.
He
must
says the impressionsof sense
reduced
to the desiderated
form.1
the
latter and
theologiandoes
of the
mind's
yet have
as
that
the
mind's
of
'
"No
though
to
mean
of failure
amount
He
again.
all
reflex doctrine
theology should
obeyed
but
confess
in form
asked
above
the
What
if he did exist ?
be
God
come
of
man
law.2
question I
would
has
the
itself at least
necessary
for the
'
God
And
tries
endeavor
being
nature
more.
structure,
most
Now
no
the
the
practicalpurposes
our
ends.
When
science
of
many
in the
The
the
things in
many
attempt
to
kind
word
history
subject the
world
of
sensible
work
have
the
must
greatest apparent confusion
We
later solve itself in transparent formulas.
or
begin the
that nature
will permaafresh ; and, refusing to believe
ever
nently
think
of our
rather that we
withhold
the reward
exertions,
only failed
pertinacityflows
hitherto
all this
to
that
demand
our
the
renounce
even
to
push
from
of
fulfilment
in the
them
a
our
conviction
This
is
differ from
advance,
success,
2
the
is
one
form
of
faith
certainly doomed
the transformation
of the
S. H. Hodgson, The
conception, see
H.
chap. v. ;
Lotze, Logik, sects. 342-351
60-63, 105.
to
we
have
in
short
obligationof
of the
account
other
Concerning
of
of
spiritof science.
And
is any one
the spiritof religion?
true
that, while
the
that
What,
task.
right direction.
shall
Does
it
entitled
be
And
right
no
sustains
an
ethical
essentially
to
crowned
say in
with
fail?
Philosophy
; C.
of
Reflection,
Sigwart, Logik,
sects.
122
what
Now,
is essential
power
essential
these
are
that
be
God
in the
universe
under
the
conceived
of
First,it
the
as
and, second, he
form
features ?
deepest
be
must
ceived
con-
mental
personality. The
personalityneed not be determined
intrinsically
any
further
than
is involved
in the holding of certain
things dear, and in the recognitionof our dispositions
toward
those things,the things themselves
being all
considered,
good and righteousthings. But, extrinsically
to speak, God's
so
garded,
personalityis to be relike any other personality,
as
something lying
outside
of
existence
and
own
my
I simply
come
but
such
is the definition
inclined
shadow
dispute.
to
forth
the
idolatrous ; some
man's
intellect has
subtile
that
edge
of
power
for
Various
are
lineaments
the
of
attempts
so
supreme
imagination; various
are
ever
whose
"
human
personalityto our
of conceiving in what
ways
the hearkening to our
cry, can
and
and
eousness
rightonly makes
which
recognizes us,
I think nobody will be
which
other
find.
not
it, and
means
me,
and
upon
ourselves,then, which
not
than
other
mode
the
the most
made
the
recognition,
Some
come.
to
are
sustained
gross
efforts
to
things where
and
each
hear
can
Meanwhile,
and
point of
one
theory
we
of
mind.
can
already
connection
Any
mind,
see
with
one
the
consequence
reflex-action
constructed
on
the
Reflex
Action
must
object which
object is, and decide
the
that
demands
presence
reaction
; and
depends
of course,
the
what
active
its
measures
stage of
The
finallyreact.
the
on
123
triadic-reflex pattern,
from
Theism.
and
stage of definition,and
of
these,
the
impressing object.
miliar,
When
the objects are
particular,and faconcrete,
firm
reactions
and
certain
are
our
enough,
I see
lean on
it ;
the desk, and
often instinctive.
But
I see
to talk.
quiet faces,and I continue
your
and
the objects will not
:
stay concrete
particular
into general essences,
and they
they fuse themselves
on
nature
"
themselves
sum
then
our
into
the
object
mental
door
that
and
upon
universe
itself and
What
The
asks
flood
whole
be
to
us,
its
And
universe.
that
knocks
actively met,
is
on
fixed
and
whole
just this
essence.
how
they,and
are
the
"
confronts
and
decided
whole,
shall I meet
of faiths and
Philosophiesand denials
atheisms, scepticisms
them
systems here
rush
in.
of
and
philosophy, religions
and
mysticisms, confirmed
and
moods
habitual practicalbiases, josemotional
tle
alike trials,
another ; for all are
one
hasty,prolix,
this momentous
of seemly length,to answer
or
tion.
quesfunction
them
And
of
the
all,long or short,
that which
and
of action.
form
and
but
not
and
moods
no
of them
one
middle
segment
its termination.
it does
it is but
in which
rhythmic
the
pause.
not
the
"
the
itself is final.
of
the
mental
As
leave
alike
systems
pass
For
the
dies away,
:
the
the mental
forerunner
of the
process
serve
sub-
stage
They
curve,
pulse
plete
com-
ment,
practicalmoalone the cycle of mentalityfinds its
124
Sometimes
we
amid
the
see,
think
have
can
one
the direction
final,and
this middle
sometimes
diversityin
essential
one
pointed
which
about
cogitationswhich
the
but
have
we
it
monstrous
complication of
it
ourselves
easilydelude
We
our
the
length
and
fill it,that
may
that
function, and
the
of
immediate
activity,
or
"
fail to
we
function
out,
stage.
the
defining
remote,
shall take.
If I
Vanitas
vanitatum, omnia
vansimply say,
itas !
of things in a
I am
definingthe total nature
that carries
with it as
practicalconsequences
way
in
decidedly as if I write a treatise De Natura Rerum
"
"
worth
of either treatise
than
more
less.
them
draw
have
definitions
identical
would
in which
time
My
to this truth
assume
to
those
us
should
definitions
two
the
merely by
delusively
different verbiage
grant it without
step in my
to
bespeak
I pass
further
give
I will
parley,and
And
argument.
your
the
over
; but
it deserves
close attention
subject far
more
here,
for
rap-
ence,"
admirably original Illustrations of the Logic of Scisecond
make
How
the
to
by C. S. Peirce, especially
paper,
for
Science
in
the
Popular
Monthly
January,
Thoughts clear/'
See
the
"
"
our
no
apparently
realitybefore
the
unfortunatelytoo
the development
while
if two
that
is
said
does
expressed.1
are
that you
the next
definition
short
the
identical definitions,made
different
they
of
quences
conse-
the
consequences,
reallybe
appear
or
be
Indeed, it may
different
its
trace
may
The
there.
are
pass
treatise
minutely than
more
to
The
volumes.
twenty
1878.
Action
Reflex
idly than
mind
the
or
Not
be will also
do
not
any
the
other
some
of what
the
mind's
me
without
of the
no
detail.1
any
argument,
alike have
mind
conception
their essential
without
But
which
into
much
so
nition
defi-
enter
now
will grant
departments
in the matter,
vote
intensely
you
all three
that
"
with
the
an
cannot
I think
if it
and
interpreted
The study
or
interestingsubject
to
to
seem
mind
more
of its exactions
with
umpire
congenial way.
criteria of rationality
are,
and
own
rational universe
seem
mind's
thingswhich may
ipsofacto rational;
be
to
seem
the
of
nature
false, any
or
be
mind
called
it be fit to be
whether
not.
at
12
completely satisfy
of
conditions
obey
must
true
shall
which
universe
imposing, must
decide
Whether
it deserves.
of the
view
Theism.
and
that
and
will pass
which
violates
of
muster
any
leaves them
modes
of activity,
which
or
to
chance
the rear,
work.
to
become
to
best
the very
at
the
net
the
facts of nature,
some
definingdepartment
unmediated
it has
and
of its
call
"
emotional
defects
to
with
transitions
left some
selves
or
"
one
is fatal to
On
this
more
with
lot of inconsistencies
its hands
of
our
or
subject,see
fundamental
no
the
and
and
else, finally,
object outside of
live for.
of
to
or
Any one
its complete success.
Some
powers
react-on
or
on
it has
of
creed
precedingEssay.
active
theirs
these
one
126
will be
and
an
discover
another
seek
to
I need
to
to
sure
not
audience
the
flaw,to
the system,
scout
in its stead.
to
illustrate
Nor
will
as
particular,
champions of the Unitarianism
of New
England, be slow to furnish,from the motives
led to your departure from our
orthodox
which
tral
ancesCalvinism, instances
enough under the third or
A
who
God
practicalhead.
gives so little scope to
takes from
all
endeavor
love, a predestinationwhich
all its fruit,
irrational
its zest with
are
conceptions,
because
cherished
There
they say to our most
powers,
is no
object for you.
kinds
Well, justas within the limits of theism some
of their greater practiare
survivingothers by reason
cal
theism
of its pracitself,
so
rationality,
by reason
tical
all lower creeds.
is certain
to survive
rationality,
Materialism
and
were
they true,
agnosticism, even
could never
gain universal and popular acceptance;
for they both, alike, give a solution of things which
is
irrational to the practicalthird of our
nature, and in
feel at home.
which we
Each
can
never
volitionally
in
you
of the
out
comes
second
theoretic
or
stage of mental
of active
upon
life. "Well!"
cry
Ignoramus, ignorabimus
upon
and
atoms
of
forces
to
"
array
their
our
which
they,
!
"
"
says
ing,
wait-
deeply
most
stands
nature
what
and
shall
worthily
we
agnosticism.
concussions
how
"
says
do?"
"
act
Re-
rialism.
mate-
Action
Reflex
powers
no
object
proper
either atrophy,
must
their energy,
die, or else by their pent-up
vent
the whole
keep
convulsions
machinery
less incommensurable
in
127
which
on
ment
excite-
and
more
to
sicken, and
fe^er until
solution,some
some
practically
issue for the
normal
of the soul.
currents
theism
Now,
always
rational
practically
Not
Theism.
and
an
of
energy
ready with
it is possibleto
solution
active
our
the
stands
to
nature
most
conceive.
which
it does
of which
authoritatively
appeal,not an emotion
it does not normally and naturallyrelease the springs.
At a singlestroke, it changes the dead blank it of the
the whole man
world into a livingthouywith whom
may
have dealings. To you, at any rate, I need waste
no
its supreme
words
in trying to prove
commensuratethat department Number
with all the demands
ness
has the power to impose on departThree of the mind
ment
not
Number
volitional
Our
time,
Two.
exert
of
nature
constant
the
mind
theistic conclusions.
must
end
of
contrary formulas
can
be
than
more
must
assert
alone
mental
permanently reign.
question is, then, Can departments
can
of
The
in which
peace
and
One
and
can
The
Two,
form
future
and
to
the
theoretic
ration
elabo-
theistic conclusions?
Essays in PopularPhilosophy.
128
of
ity capable
answering
that
question. I, at all
into it to-day,as
not
that would
enter
events, must
the
be to abandon
purely natural-historypoint of
view I mean
to keep.
This only is certain, that the theoretic facultylives
fires which
between
two
never
give her rest, and
make
her incessantlyrevise her formulations.
If she
sink into a premature, short-sighted,
and
idolatrous
One
with its
theism, in comes
department Number
battery of facts of sense, and dislodgesher from her
If she lazilysubside
into equilibdogmatic repose.
rium
with
the
mechanical
bed
its
up
and
demands,
viewed
sense
outwardness,
with
reason
facts of
same
starts
makes
in their simple
the
practical
that
couch
From
of thorns.
generationto generationthus it
of reception from without,
movement
a
now
goes,
of expansion from within ; department Number
one
now
excused
Two
to death, yet never
always worked
from
responsiblepart in the arrangetaking the most
ments.
a
facts; to-morrow,
To-day, a crop of new
the theoretic facultyalways
motives,
flowering of new
having to effect the transition,and life growing
that her
withal so complex and subtle and immense
almost
of conceiving are
ruptured with the
powers
strain.
See how, in France, the
mummy-cloths of
and official theistic philosophy are
rent
the academic
thinkers
by the facts of evolution, and how the young
the dryness
! See, in Great Britain, how
at work
are
"
"
of
the
strict associationist
ministration
but
born
the
yesterday,gives way
of
same
school, which
more
to
more
urgent emotional
facts
These
in
far
are
more
but
Spencer
dominated
generous
needs
and
massive
tackings
under
the
us
idealisms,
wrapping
intellectual
to
the
common
monies!
har-
130
the
order
of
being
It transforms
of
world
'
of the
continuum
sharp
for
the
given
unutterable
'
world
differences
other
no
presents itself to
it
as
passions we
reason
into
dead
than
reception.
level and
utterlyunlike
an
hierarchic
and
our
tions
subordina-
satisfycertain
to
jective
sub-
possess.1
far
so
as
can
we
see,
the
'
'
"
As
soon
it, reposes
as
on
the theoretical
our
itis
recognizedthat
will
to
think, the
be
thought, as
our
primacy
conceded
of the
the
; and
'
I think
must
sphere, must
merely [Kant's]that '
representations,but also that ' I will
my
thinking." (Sigwart: Logik, ii. 25.)
is not
'
must
in
last of
presuppositions
all
accompany
dominate
all my
Action
Reflex
Certain
of the air.
sure
to
is Scientific
name
be
that
but
commandment,
shalt not
of
wreck
Truth,
"
he
one
saying, Thou
to satisfy
thy
of those
satisfaction
These
is intellectual damnation.
his
but
has
one
the
god
that
upright,
that
and
subjectivepropensities,and
ing
chim-
other
every
supreme,
be
theistyfor that would
131
keep
positivists
our
divinitystill stands
idol,one
and
of
the
that,amid
us,
Theism.
and
conscientious
most
feet,
gentlemen think they have jumped off their own
trol
emancipated their mental operationsfrom the conin
of their subjectivepropensitiesat large and
But
deluded.
toto.
they are
They have
simply
from
the entire set of propensitiesat
chosen
among
"
out
of the
est
result,
namely,
of
excess
pre-eminence
and
Had
from
As
in
there
ever
justiceor
a
ter
charac-
unnecessary
life not
he
been
have
never
has
done
established
the
in
to
are
be
more
see
he
good, must,
to be made
sweep
obligationto be scientific go
with
fair chance
another.
to understand
nothing
one
but
of
necessary.
draw
; that
so
we,
even
who
do
these
accordingto
perish,in order
or
himself
should
trusted
lectual.
intel-
of this
any absolute
the world
In the clean
of cold makes
lies in the
said,Fiat /ustitia,
pereat mundus,
prophets,be willingto
Was
brutes
"
consciousness
ancestors
our
believe
and
"
physical,moral, aesthetic,and
not
world,
subjective propensities,
them
simply and solelyin the
his whole
the
the
from
fantastic and
superfluous,he would
as
inexpugnably as
construct,
his
over
in the
of his wants,
And
molecular
the bare
chief difference
exuberant
number
to
have
Man's
his
certain
were
materials
"
they
that
those
their command
that scientia
rather of the
fiat.
shop ?
confusion.
But
this
blowing
of hot and
132
their
when
will lead
and
is still the
occasion
they
seems
gratification
him
to
best
issues
of reckoning.
powers
sober
him, and you
Prune
his extravagance,
down
him.
undo
The
appetite
for
"
"
that does
form
notion
of every
not
part
that nation, that
of the soi-disant scientific synthesis,
be
to
made
race,
will
their
more
just as surely go
richlyconstituted
of the field,as
moral,
Its
stubble
fallen
aesthetic, and
be
dense
razor
that
has
yet been
razor
will
never
form
to
fall
ruin, and
neighbors, as
whole, have
myself
I have
to
prey
prey to
the beasts
a
to
man.
Anglo-Saxon
form
practical wants
our
by
mown
any
forged.
among
us
race.
too
scientific Occam's
The
knights of
more
than
the
sect;
their
fraternity
increasingin numbers,
their negations acquirI see
when
and, what is worse,
ing
much
almost
as
prestigeand authority as their
claim
the minds
of the
affirmations
over
legitimately
docile
public,I feel as if the influences working in
but
the
when
see
direction
of
our
mental
barbarization
were
be-
Reflex
be
ginning to
Action
rather
counteraction.
quarter the
what
find
can
strong, and
needed
And
I ask
when
invasion
answer
no
task, no
eyes around
fitter body of
exists.
Who
Three
of the
with
the
fact of
sense
this needful
clergy
department
rightsof
they
As, then,
burst
you
result of science
or
myself from
be checked, I
suggested by
Unitarian
ecclesiastical tradition,by
narrow
tive
posi-
some
For
the
133
better
how
?
one
room.
than
men
uphold
mind
the
as
this
casting my
best
may
good
as
can
Theism.
and
the bonds
insistingthat
be
must
left out
of
no
of
in the
still be
so
religioussynthesis,
you
may
the champions of mental
completeness and all-sidedthe formation
avert
ness.
May you, with equal success,
account
of
bonds
scientific
narrow
to which
reality,
hear
these
it said
days.
but
at
are
that
present
only
nothing
board.
theistic science,
in
scientific
as
been
will
you
successfullyas
me
I said that
pass
we
your
have
day, you
directions awaitingyou.
Meanwhile, let
approach.
growing in
is not
If
done, and
to
are
tional
emo-
of
avenues
you
theology,your separate
of
perishfrom the mouths
may
and
surely because
nearing the port and
is
in
subject.
active
our
true, it is
ship of Orthodoxy
is being taken
on
the
pretend to leave
being, those relations
Unitarianism
I know
if it be
of
our
burst
would
forms
those
tendencies
I
tradition, and
synthesiswhich
of any
of account
out
of
have
men
as
to
led
tarians
Uni-
; for your
at
enough
the next
forced
only lead
name
function
work
the great
the pilot
an
end.
in both
division of
regard God
our
as
134
normal
object of
conception that
the
any
if the
word
while
any
'
'
be
human
God
Infra-theistic
stimuli
have
we
irrational
man's
latter half
I dare
for
it may
that I should
sense
of
disposed
materialisms
because
such
at
has been
they
and
agnosticis
quate
inade-
are
I have
practicalnature.
justifythe
irrational,
discussed
conceptions,
to
is
its fullest
in
are
to
of
as
is impossible
beyond God
goes
be constructed
after the
mind
pattern
The
length.
belief,inasmuch
taken
that
conception
triadic-reflex
mind's
falls short
rational
if the
of.
the
now
the thesis.
instant
have
perplexed
of you
some
speak of conceptions that
aimed
at going beyond
God, and of attempts to fly
him
outbid
him ; so
I will now
above
or
explain
In defining the essential attributes
exactly what I mean.
of God, I said he was
a
personalitylying
outside
say
our
ourselves.
the
Now,
of which
other
and
own
speak, are
dualityof God
theistic
third
into
thou,
try
to
to
make
ground
to
seem
it
well
am
That
may
the
it with
cover
in
part of
mutilate
characterizes
theistic
consciousness
with
him,
and
so
to
identity.
world
leave
if theism
form
trans-
If infra-
it in the
the
turns
begin
here
it
tread
to
distinctions
on
easily
may
facts.
with
reconciliation
the
from
this ultimate
me.
of emotional
which
of
the
trenchant
the
flybeyond theism,
to
other
not
power
that
aware
which
sense
or
it; and
we
so
"
and
mere
"
get over
his believer, and
looking on
person,
a
of
ways
us,
to
attempts
sort
some
than
attempts
it into
an
may
highest
the
be
described
very
of
moments
bosom
as
God
the
'
oneness
of theism
Reflex
Action
Theism.
and
135
doctrine
monistic
to
seem
self-surrender, of
of
ness
this conscious-
absolute
the divine
between
But
arise.
practical union
templation,
object of one's conthing from any sort
object God and the
totallydifferent
of substantial identity. Still the
Still I simply come
him, and
subjectI are two.
upon
find his existence
given to me ; and the climax of my
with what is given,forms at the same
union
practical
of my
time the climax
perception that as a numerical
I am
fact of existence
something radicallyother than
the Divinitywith whose
effulgenceI am filled.
that the only sort of union of
to me
Now, it seems
with which
with creator
creature
theism, properly so
and
called, comports, is of this emotional
practical
kind ; and it is based
unchangeably on the empirical
fact that the thinking subjectand the objectthought
How
mind
and will,which
are
numerically two.
my
not
God, can yet cognize and leap to meet
are
him,
how I ever
to be so separate from
came
him, and how
himself
God
to be
at all,are
came
problems that for
is
the
theist
unsolved
remain
can
is,and
needs
simply
hear
God
is and
his call.
; and
will be
In
the
know
to
and
insoluble
forever.
that he himself
that behind
forever,and
simply
this universe
God
will in
way
some
practicalassurance
of
'
these
Erkentnisstheorie
or
empirical facts,without
sophical
philoontology, without metaphysics of emanation
creation
make
them
to justify
or
or
more
intelligible,
in the blessedness
of their mere
acknowledgment as
he craves.
The
given, lie all the peace and power
of the religious
life are
floodgates
opened, and the full
currents
can
through.
pour
It is this empiricaland practicalside of the theistic
position,its theoretic chastityand modesty, which I
'
136
wish
to accentuate
here.
istic
mysticism, far
The
of
highestflights
the-
from
sightof
theoretic
difficulties.
refuses to notice
Get
that
of
"
peace
God
the
most
to
of God
that
have
transcended
from
man,
the
has done
to
necessary
The
them.
such
be
to
as
define
procedure is precisely
dealing with the simplest
Both
what
he and
into
so
long
as
is
that confronts
presence
is
that its character
theist decides
; and
only
is the
fitlyresponded
religiousreaction
otherness
its
of their minds
Two
department
fundamental
The
pattern of
way.
of the simplest man
but
futile
such
questions of
from puzzling and pedantic
which
the
which
attitude
an
to
that
on
his part
reaction
he
by
with
forth-
pours
His
'
it is,evacuates
all
speculationas
to
how
it could
make
itself at all.
But
now,
although
most
human
minds
such
librium
position of rational equicertain
difficult to bring forward
to
be
the
138
whether
such
and
comes
ought
that
whither
that
make
one
the
goes,
what
difference
of
things,except
far as with the comings and the goings our
so
derful
wonconscious
be reaped?
inward
harvest may
And
be
naturallyand gradually,one may
so, very
the theistic and
led from
practicalpoint of view to
think
I shall call the gnosticalone.
We
what
may
of the mind, with its doings of
that department Three
be there only to
rightand its doings of wrong, must
serve
department Two ; and we may suspect that the
than
sphere of our activityexists for no other purpose
to illumine
our
by the expecognitiveconsciousness
rience
to
to
of its results.
Are
nature
not
all
sense
and
all
tion
emo-
to
be
but
turbid and
satisfied short
of both
of
fusion
impressionand
and
solution
action with
and
reason,
ration
satu-
and
Action
Reflex
absorption of
an
into
learning,which
forth
The
of all of them
aim
is to shadow
from
emerging
by which spirit,
exhausting the whole circle of
of process
sort
I have
in detail.
139
all three
would
Time
one.
Theism.
and
finite
beginnings and
experience in its sweep, shall at last return and possess
itselfas its own
object at the climax of its career.
At the
This
climax
is the religious
consciousness.
latest and
giddy height of this conception, whose
form is the Hegelian philosophy,definite
best known
its
fail to
words
serve
their
; and
purpose
the
ultimate
shipper,
objectand subject,worshipped and worfacts and
the knowledge of them, fall into
other is left outstandingbeyond this
no
one, and where
that we
call indifferently
that alone is,and
one
may
this
act
fact, realityor idea, God
creation,
or
or
to our
goal,I say, has to be adumbrated
haltingand
gasping intelligenceby coarse
physical metaphors,
removals
and
! positings and
self-returningsand
which
free,'
hardly help to make the matter
'settings
where
goal,
"
"
'
'
'
'
'
clear.
But
the midst
from
of it all
in which
the
knowing
shall
that each
the
twain
its
have
to
be
become
so
exhaustivelyis absorbed
become
one
flesh,and
shall somehow
into
dimly
realityto
seem
we
of the
have
soaked
up
and
the
power
of
mutually adequate
by the other and
in which
the light
all the
outer
darkness
Like
all headlong
ubiquitous beams.
ideals,this apotheosis of the bare conceiving faculty
has its depth and wildness, its pang
and
its charm.
To
it sings a truly siren strain ; and
so
many
long
it is held only as a postulate,
as
as
a mere
vanishing
own
140
physiologist's
tion,
generalizait seems
to me,
in, and by
as
fairlycome
may
rulingany such extravagant faith out of court help to
personal mistrust of its pretensions.
legitimateour
I confess that I myself have always had
trust
a
great misof the pretensions of the gnostic faith.
Not
what
a
cognitive
only do I utterlyfail to understand
facultyerected into the absolute of being, with itself
if we
but even
its object,can
as
grant it a
mean;
reason
being other than itself for object,I cannot
self
myhere
Now,
of the
out
belief that
however
familiar
and
at
we
lesson
can
corroborates
to
these
from
these sciences
convictions.
to
be
one
that
From
its
but
as
learn
"
Reflex
Action
Theism.
and
141
lution
thing as its emancipation and absofrom these
est
organic relations receives no faintfrom
color of plausibility
discern.
can
any fact we
Arising as a part, in a mental and objectiveworld
it must, whatever
which
both largerthan itself,
its
are
of growth may
be (and I am
far from wishing
powers
This
to disparage them), remain
a
part to the end.
of the cognitive element
is the character
in all the
Such
of will.
mental
life we
that
that
the nature
therewith
being
that is real
sacred
from, the
by
the
from
best
shall
there is
to
pose
sup-
On
the
of
volitional
deepest
ever
to
response
munication
organ of com-
In every
possess.
something
of every
To
ours.
reason
change.
probable
we
grasp
no
ever
of moral
and
power
of thingswill be the
our
is sacred
will
than
more
have
we
character
contrary, it is
time
and
know,
external
other.
co-operate with
to, and
God's
being
his creation
and
all he wants
seems
rightest
response
of us.
In such co-operationwith his purposes,
not in
chimerical
speculativeconquest of him, not in
any
lie the real
drinking of him up, must
any theoretic
meaning of our destiny.
All men
This is nothing new.
know it at those rare
when
moments
her
chatteringand
formula
then
the
that.
or
seem
to
soul
sobers
herself,and
leaves off
protestingand
about
insisting
In
of
the
listen,and
silence
hear
to
our
this
theories
something
we
like
the
suffer and
all theories
theory
about
it is that
power,
about
it
can
to
serve
it
universe, is
do
the acutest
the
this
most
more
most
bring us to that.
theories,the greatest
elaborate
education,
is to
than
any
tain
Cerlectual
intelare
142
sheer
mockery when,
mean
motives
that
certain
and
inarticulate
or
were
matter
no
energy,
with
learning its
us
respect
not
we
moral
unequipped
from
be, extorts
may
nerveless
resolute
often
too
as
we
should
never
essential root
how
owner
pay
of human
lay there.
personality
I have
sketched
but still I
my
that the
hope
point,and
far from
so
the
to
theistic attitude
and
holds
goes
Being
so
far
when
to
made
as
to
is true
as
to
itself
or
how
With
that
agnosticism
midway, and
we
agnosticism,it
cannot
know
how
With
us.
we
Between
stands
in each.
confess
insist that
made, and
If any
of mind.
gnosticism, theism
what
far
so
ity,
physiologicalview of mentalbut give aid and comcan
fort
invalidating,
gnosticism,it goes
know
Being's character
can
it asks
us
to
behave.
havior
so
insisting
stronglythat beis the aim and end of every sound
philosophy
of the speculaI have curtailed the dignityand scope
tive
function
in us, I can
tainment
only reply that in this ascernite
infiof Being lies an almost
of the character
tions
consideraspeculativetask. Let the voluminous
toward
thought converges
by which all modern
idealistic or
pan-psychic conclusions
speak for me.
of a Hodgson, of a Lotze, of a ReLet the pages
within
the
limits drawn
nouvier, reply whether
by
purely empirical theism the speculativefacultyfinds
But do
not, and shall not always find,enough to do.
it little or
much, its place in a philosophy is always
form
of the
the same,
and
is set by the structural
mind.
whether
or
expressed in sonnets
Philosophies,
one
fear that in
Reflex
systems, all
must
Action
Theism.
and
this form.
wear
143
thinker
The
starts
some
the
into
eternal
essences.
be while
discoveries
in is
issue
the denial
is
and
empyrean,
But whatever
sooner
concrete
some
of
the
gone,
old one,
later washed
or
the
his achievements
result
utmost
practicalmaxim
new
some
with
communes
or
with which
ashore
the
on
and
they
can
resolve, or
inevitablyhe
terra firma of
life
Whatever
again.
thought takes
this voyage
is a
philosophy.
have
how theism takes it. And
We
in the phiseen
losophy
of a thinker who, though long neglected,is
the spiritual
life of his native
doing much to renovate
France
Charles
to-day (I mean
Renouvier, whose
than they
us
writingsought to be better known among
are),we have an instructive example of the way in
which
this very empirical element
in theism, its confession
of an
ultimate
sion
opacity in things,of a dimenof being which escapes
theoretic control, may
our
definite practicalconclusion,
this
suggest a most
wills are free/
I will say nothing
our
one, namely, that
of Renouvier's
line of reasoning; it is contained
in many
volumes
which I earnestlyrecommend
to your
"
'
attention.1
But
of volumes
enforce
to
is
what
not
my
makes
conclude
by recallingto you
Tennyson, published last year, in
me
voyage
in
is
few lines
Especiallythe
made, and
the
that the
doctrine
same
the
ber
num-
philosophy, let
the
which
little poem
the
conclusion
of
tive
speculareached
"
Essais
de
and
the
Essays
144
**
of
Out
the
From
the
of
the
Out
With
this
Down
From
that
Drew
to
And
all
this
the
thine
That
And
light
one
shore
and
shadow
own
thou
banish'd
into
And
shattered
Who
Out
thee
Live
thou,
And
ivyberry,
From
and
death
and
Nearer
Not
matter,
But
this
With
the
to
ever
nor
death
thine
and
One,
all
in
and
husk,
still
depart
life
who
and
all,
the
"
grape
life, and
wrought
finite-infinite,
that
own
"
thyself
Him
nearer
the
veil
Infinite
that
through
miracle,
on
born
being
mortal
and
grain
choose
main
power
of
world-self
of
moons
fleshly sign
unconceivably
whole
his
man,
phantom
made
of
be
Spirit, half-lost
wailest
our
.
said,
upon,
and
"
mystery,
sun
should
suns
this
who
thou,
art
"
boy.
they
look
dear
shore,
darling
which
the
by
see,
hidden
the
can
"
deep,
ours,
man
shadows.
we
the
not
that
no
lit
world
sends
is
and
man,'
deep,
comest,
which
will,
bounding
of
out
thou
sea,
world
the
that
moon
make
us
Spirit,
dark
the
in
Let
In
ninth
yon
For
*
deep,
the
he
the
of
the
begins,
as
out
but
is
deep,
world
moves
within
world
our
of
God
world
the
our
child,
my
true
Whereof
of
Spirit
of
out
before
deep
deep,
that
From
child,
my
great
Whereon
Philosophy.
Popular
deep,
that
Out
in
thou
act
and
art
on
thou,
the
world?
find
146
clearer
of determinism
decide
for
againstthat
or
of what
decide
to
least
at
all
pretensionto
will
is true.
you
to
and
is.
to
prove
The
most
follow my
own
if it
acting as
to
Its truth
who
ought
In
other
words,
not
free.
are
ought
With
But
advance.
as
all
much
thus
well.
proceed
theories
about
another,
we
do
will
it true,
to
seems
exclude, it
to
to
of
which
at
one
in order
and
to
that
from
me,
a
we
coercive
I, for
one,
without.
go
arguments
world
free,
are
affirm
seems
it.
upon
of freedom, if we
the
we
point
more
outset,
about
am
when
suppositions: first,
the
of
some
assuming
demonstration
The
of the
induce
their
turn
without
not
so
to
understood
two
on
in
propriety to be
perfectlycontented
am
prefer
in the strict
It
should
"
is to
If it be true, it
be forced
demonstration,
if you
hope
example
first act
our
This
doubters, you
to
in all inward
ought
standing
under-
remain
you
equally well
can
better
And
true.
were
indifferent throats.
men
about.
me
with
more
see
hesitation
all,but
at
doctrine
are
you
than
you
made
made
not
to
them
discuss
attain
can
stood
under-
to
we
with
urge
make
one
conception
of
one
are
all
shall
is the truer
willingto
make
hope that
suppositionswith
of the two.
these
you
me;
for I
point;
here who
if there be any of you
will find little edification in the rest of
they
have
what
to
but
myself
of
doctrines
the rest
world
the
than
the
cannot
into
shape
the
argue
magnificentT^
all the
and
of
physicalscience
uniformity of law, and
"
indomitable
rational
more
into
our
to
which
shape
it is thrown
desire
in
our
there
to
cast
j
'
minds
by
the
to
order
throw
it
of
from
stop
that
believe
evolution,
proceed
"
say.
of mathematical
achievements
our
147
afraid that
am
not,
are
of Determinism.
Dilemma
The
our
overboard,
disappointed my
demand
or
at
for
least to doubt
it,as
if it
uniformityof sequence,
being,so far as I can
demand
example ; the one
emotional
the other is.
see, quite as subjectiveand
as
The
for example,
what is it
principleof causality,
but a postulate,
an
name
empty
covering simply a
demand
that the sequence
of events
shall some
day
manifest
of belongingof one
a deeper kind
thingwith
than the mere
another
which
arbitraryjuxtaposition
now
It is as much
phenomenally appears?
altar
an
unknown
to an
god as the one that Saint Paul found
All our
at Athens.
scientific and
philosophicideals
altars to unknown
are
gods. Uniformity is as much
is free-will. If this be admitted, we
as
so
debate"
can
for
"
on
even
freedom
and
But
if any one
pretends that while
varietyare, in the first instance,subjective
terms.
something
148
altogetherdifferent,I
do not
how
see
we
debate
can
all.1
at
acquainted
all the usual
not
arguments on the subject. I canstop to take up the old proofs from causation,
the certainty with
which
statistics,from
we
foretell one
another's conduct, from the fixityof
with
from
can
all the
character, and
which
"
suppose
whole
The
that
the
arisen
from
you
there
But
rest.
these
usually encumber
notion
have
I must
begin, then,
To
classical arguments,
words
two
are
refutes
possibly
can
perceptions. Indubitable
it is that
as
infer from
men
of ticular
parknown
procedure, if restricted
materials
that spontaneously offer themselves,
to the phenomenal
led to the belief in a general uniformity,
would
but only
have
never
to
unknown,
to
cases
the
"
is not
for
is
in
nation.
motley alterexperience, nothing exists
discovered
in the world
is looked
//'//the order
on
the
the other.
on
order
more
than
at first sight
appears
The first impulse to look
for.
practicalneeds
ends must
be attained,
: where
proceeds from
which
know
must
infallibly
trustworthymeans
possess a property,
n
eed
is
result.
But
the
a
produce
only the first occasion
practical
it
reflection
our
there
or
there
That
one
or
of
sum
lawlessness
the
From
we
and
but
for
it is
the
no
such
on
the conditions
need, motives
the stage of
rather with an
would
association.
mere
equal lack
of true
knowledge
; and
even
were
of interest,does
yond
carrying us beequal interest,
contemplate those
man
mate,
thing is linked with its former
and
it is linked to something else.
The former processes
harmonize
with the conditions of his own
thinking: the latter do not.
In the former, his concepts,generaljudgments, and inferencesapply to
thus the
: in the
latter,they have no such application. And
reality
natural
processes
those in which
in which
intellectual satisfaction
at last excites
the entire
and
in him
phenomenal
necessities
of his
own
which
which
at
the conscious
world
are
to him
first comes
those
wish
to
rational
the fundamental
without
find realized
reflection,
throughout
continuities,uniformities,
element
2,
and
s.
guidingprinciple
382.)
The
which
and
freedom, and
word
The
chance.
wish
have
'
'
far overshadowed
so
we
eulogistic
is the opprobrious word
I wish
to
keep, but I
freedom.'
Its eulogistic
chance
to
associations
its
'
word
if
of
is the
One
progress.
the other
any
149
immediately dispose
must
we
make
to
are
of Determinism.
Dilemma
of
use
are
what
was
both
that
meaning
we
may
call hard
determinism.
words
fatality,
bondage
like. Nowadays,
not
shrink
the
will,necessitation, and
have
from
such
the
which
soft determinism
as
harsh
abhors
says
freedom
It did
we
words,
terminati
prede-
even
is freedom
name
of
; for
is
free-will determinist.'
all this is
Now,
the
real
of
issue
Freedom
fact has
in all these
all. No
at
whole,
free and
are
problem,
of
the
decided
in
mean
who
"
one
ivho
an
most
spin out
the
soft determinist
mean
the
mean
cannot
him
answer
sometimes
we
discussion
a
whole
But
not
sentence,
in
"
chapters in
one
by
there
of words,
importance,
momentous
of
that sometimes
not?
are
without
clause
entirelysmothered.
lem
presents simply no prob-
actingwithout external
he mean
the acting rightly,or
the acquiescing in the law of the
"
he
what
which
under
been
senses
matter
by it, whether he
constraint; whether
whether
of evasion
quagmire
which
sentence,
those
very
an
we
is
issue
is often
"
nay,
writers
Essays in PopularPhilosophy.
150
'
what
true
freedom
"
which
determinism, about
or
is ; and
that
we
is the
talk
to
are
question of
to-night.
their cold
and
mathematical
that
associations
Now,
advance.
between
I intimated
Let
of
evidence
while
at
for ourselves.
the
external
an
and
in
way
kind
to
indeterminism
cide
de-
is, as
back, strictly
impossible to find.
difference
What
does
determinism
The
them
between
It
other
sentimental
no
either
partiality
our
determinism
look
us
bribe
can
has
sound
see
profess?
universe
already
the
what
decree
has
future
and
ambiguous
no
hidden
in its womb
call the
: the part we
possibilities
totality. Any
present is compatible with only one
than
the one
other future complement
fixed from
is in each
and
whole
eternity is impossible. The
welds
part, and
every
it with
the
into
rest
With
there
And
What
Indeterminism,
have
that
sowed
And
certain
the
on
amount
laying down
determine
what
of
can
lute
abso-
be
no
knead,
man
the seed.
wrote
of
an
one
play on
of them
the others
shall
does
be.
another,
not
so
sarily
neces-
It admits
and
be in excess
of actualities,
possibilities
may
that things not
knowledge may
yet revealed to our
alterOf two
be ambiguous.
really in themselves
that
The
which
futures
native
of Determinism.
Dilemma
reallypossible
;
conceive, both
we
the
and
become
one
151
impossibleonly
excludes
it by
when
the other
very moment
thus
becoming real itself. Indeterminism
the
at
be
now
may
the
denies
world
to
real.
Possibilities that
one
determinism,
The
there.
this
There
is
actual
are,
were
they never
nothing inchoate,
this universe
about
be
get realized
illusions:
pure
all.
at
fail to
cloud
of
alternatives
was
is
or
for
sibilitie
posit says,
shall
or
eternityvirtually
minds
our
escort
of
'
"
false.
The
may,
but
for
need
instance, has
say another
the
volition
determinists
of the term,
sense
not, be.
Both
sides
occurred.
might
swear
the existence
have
that
as
admit
The
that
tion,
voli-
indeterminists
occurred
nothing
of sibilitie
posthingsthat
in its
could
place:
possibly
152
have
called
tell
in to
of
contradicters
draw
to
its
in
occurred
no
place. Now,
which
us
each
of these
other
is
conclusions
science
can
point-blank
two
Science
right?
but
be
such
as
fesses
pro-
based
are
of fact,thingsthat have
actuallyhappened ;
of assurance
but how can
that something
any amount
tion
actuallyhappened give us the least grain of informaanother
to whether
as
thing might or might not
have happened in its place?
Only facts can be proved
and
by other facts. With things that are possibilities
If we
have no other
not facts,facts have no concern.
of existingfacts,the posevidence
than the evidence
sibilitymatters
on
remain
must
cleared
to
never
be
up.
the truth
And
mystery
is that
facts
have
practically
hardly
or
making us either determinists
make
flourish of
Sure enough, we
indeterminists.
a
minists,
deterare
quoting facts this way or that; and if we
the infallibility
with which
talk about
we
we
can
predictone another's conduct; while if we are
indeterminists, we
lay great stress on the fact that it
foretell one
another's concannot
is just because
we
duct,
anything
do with
to
either in
statecraft
intriguesand
intenselyanxious
so
who
or
small
and
is
war
does
so-called
fillsup
not
see
the
and
or
hazardous
wretched
objectivetestimony
But
game.
of
insufficiency
on
both
sides?
minds
is something
in our
the gaps
What
divides
into
external.
not
us
this
What
not
jective,
ob-
ity
possibil-
is different faiths or
men
anti-possibility
postulates, postulatesof rationality.To this man
in
rational with
the world
more
seems
possibilities
rational with possibilities
cluded;
exmore
it, to that man
will about
and talk as we
having to yield to
men
and
"
"
154
information
no
that
about
of which
it is
with
other
As
this
thingsin advance
point is the most
lecture, and
I say
What
it.
actual
own
subtile
time
same
hinges,I beg
the rest
to
the
at
of its
of
one
thing
some-
necessitated
"
by
predicated,
presence.
the
whole
the
you
is that
It
thing may be in itself to call it chance.'
be a bad thing,it may
be a good thing. It may
may
be lucidity,
transparency, fitness incarnate, matching
it has once
the whole
system of other things,when
All you
befallen, in an unimaginably perfectway.
is that this is not
mean
by callingit chance
anteed,
guar-
what
'
'
that
of other
things has
chance-thing. Its originis
system
it escapes,
and
otherwise.
fall out
also
it may
positivehold
no
in
Hands
says,
off!
the
on
certain fashion
the
For
tive:
nega-
when
coming,
not
at all.
or
gift,
This negativeness,
however, and this opacity of the
ab extra, or from
thus considered
chance-thing when
the point of view of previous thingsor distant things,
of positivedo not
preclude its having any amount
and luminosityfrom within, and at its own
ness
place
it comes,
and
there
it is that
whole
must
of chance.
is
If the
wait
till it
That
the
course
both
a
limited
can
Nevertheless, many
reallyof
may
persons
matter
actuallybe
conceivable
its
property
get it,if it be
universe
asserts
wants
liabilities and
simple and
in it
the unconditional
whole
joint-stocksociety of
have
something
that is not
something
whole.
its chance-character
that
All
of the
of
free
moment.
about
own,
as
limited
the
sort
sharers
powers,
is of
notion.
talk
as
if the minutest
would
a
of
matter
tempted
Since
fact
to
the
believe
ourselves
sure
character
accidental
c~'
part with
one
future
human
volitions
only ambiguous
in, let
whether
to
walk
of chance
matter
It
Oxford
after the
home
as
a
are
moment
to
independent and
fraughtwith such direful
lecture is
of which
ambiguous
and
as
that
means
Street
far
we
as
their
be
need
things
stop for
us
are
these.
to the universe
as
sequences
vVhat is meant
by saying that my choice
way
another,
of
modicum
all.
at
make
15$
smallest
tremor
into
of
of disconnectedness
dose
the
of Determinism.
Dilemma
The
called ; but
that
that
the
falls
on
that
I first walk
choice
is made
different
twice
In
street.
over,
other
and
each
words,
time
imagine
universes,
"
one
on
of them
and
the
see
with
me
two
alternative
walking through
the
if you
same
me
are
de-
156
impossiblebecause
been
accidentally
or
somewhere
outwardly at these
the impossible and
is
rational
and
of the
necessary
determinist
intrinsic
involved
in it.
universes, can
accidental
could
you
among
But
ing
look-
say which
which
the
you
and
one,
I doubt
one?
irrationality
if the most
have
the
clad
iron-
slightest
of
choice,
my
made,
once
to
be
forever.
made
go
had
Street,
"
I done
it would
so
insanity, a
irrationality,
simply call your attention
is what
conception
insight into
details.
figured
in
no
what
character
no
Before
Machtsprnch, a mere
dogma and based on no
a
my
choice, either
I
in
present
were
whatever
I have
the
street
happened
would
in
gap
it with
have
nature;
the
best
world.
hoDow
which, if it
!
but
as
conscience
deterministic
chance
to
"
philosophy as the
have
so
proclaimed
your
would
you
But
in
I
nature,
gap
tion
this,that your affirma-
as
take
and
fulminated
chance,
horrid
call
Germans
been
Had
natural to you as to me.
Oxford
Street, Divinity Avenue
seemed
to
the
have
taken
to
us,
distinguishfrom
the most
possibleexample
could
could
we
a
rational
trivial of
lead to any
by
cessity
ne-
examples,
different
Dilemma
The
what
For
result.
are
of Determinism.
the alternatives which, in
of
Are
they
and
Oxford
not
now
Street
kinds
human
volition?
What
of chance
matters
seem
point
?
and
one
all of them
to
that
futures
those
are
157
Divinity Avenue
of our
Are
example?
they not
of things already here and
based
Is any
one
ever
existingframe of nature?
tempted to produce an absolute accident, something
utterlyirrelevant to the rest of the world ? Do not
the
in
themselves
of the
to
past
our
; and
realized
through
moment
it
and
to
chance
through necessity,the
or
realized,seem
was
to
continuous
manner
completest and most
with the phenomena
interdigitate
already there?
thinks
one
more
that
wonders
and
empty
so
of the
tells
us
about
of
use
gratuitousa
murderer
mother
as
as
great
so
which
word
argument
against free-will
is that if it be true,
may
as
be
doors, etc.
of this argument
till they learn what
the real
that
possible.
will
found
It is
one
hubbub
debate
say
have
more
favorite
the
matter,
be
to
us
in the
The
Users
everything that
It
than
merely
says
is
is
of
man's
a
enemy,
all of
us
of front
should
physicallyconceivable
that
alternatives
that
'
is also
morally
reallytempt our^
more
thus
one
will
158
solid
which
block, subjectto
demand, the world
In
all.
at
respect,
from
choice
entirelywillingto
a
of
world
those
as
appear
makes
Self-luminous
at which
to
is rather who
that
now
decided
it,so
were
far
To
me.
as
choices
your
yourselves,it
go,
is true,
effect them.
and
;
and
To
you
they
decisions, for
him
who
are
continuous
in their
them
decisions
them,
moment
alternatives
of
within
are
for
and
are
so
choice, which to me
blind,
external, are the opposites of this, for
and
opaque,
you
chance
acts
very
call
gratify
practical
to
by pure
absolutelyundistinguished
live. I am, therefore,
now
me
in which
the world
verifiable
the
temper,
be bound
not
may
shall be
which
"
in which
your
be by
would
control,
one
outwardly
every
world
actuallydistract
chance
the
seem
strange and
upon
of
rest
to
make
them
make
them
Themselves
nature.
nature
intense
or
continuous
it
and
of
function
sent
granting conand withholding it from another,
to one
possibility
future into an
to transform
an
equivocal and double
inalterable and simple past.
have no
But with the psychology of the matter
we
this evening. The quarrelwhich determinism
concern
has with chance
fortunatelyhas nothing to do with
It is a quarrel
this or
that psychological detail.
the
denies
altogether metaphysical. Determinism
it affirms that
ambiguity of future volitions,because
nothing future can be ambiguous. But we have said
tions
future volienough to meet the issue. Indeterminate
do
from
the
mean
chance.
Let
house-topsif need
us
fear to
not
be ; for
we
now
shout
know
it
that
The
thing
of gift, the one
simply being a disparaging,
the other a eulogistic,
for anything
name
the idea
which
have
we
chances
and
this at last
And
ject.
have
We
or
whether
And
for
worse
within
bringsus
what
seen
either
sightof
determinism
what
be.
to
sub-
our
means
we
rightlydescribed as
have
that chance,
seen
meaning chance ; and we
the very name
of which we
are
urged to shrink from
from
as
a
means
metaphysical pestilence,
only the
negative fact that no part of the world, however big,
claim to control
can
absolutelythe destinies of the
But although,in discussingthe word
whole.
chance,'
have
I may
seemed
at moments
to be arguing for its
have
that
the
claim.
having
it will depend altogether
on
unclaimable
thingsturn out
giftsin
or
uncertain
these
effective
no
be the better
the world
same
"
and
on
159
of Determinism.
Dilemma
seen
indeterminism
is
'
real
existence, I have
have
so.
from
or
; at
no
most,
any
strict theoretical
repeat what
now
To
deepen
between
difference
this I may
at
now
clearing of
I wish
have
with
judgments
what
of
it
the
seems
upon,
that,
question
of
sense
hope
can
of
the
in it and
to do
after all
; and
ous
tedi-
our
the
deterministic
make
world
that
chances
begin
justwhat
implies.
you
world
I call your
attention
fact that it is a world
to
theoretic
our
way.
first of all to show
that this is
is the most
last
this be
agreed
We
yet.
so
point of view,
world
world
deterministic
have
we
do
to
whether
And
is insoluble.
the
meant
yet ascertained
not
chance
not
regret.
are
in
which
Hardly
notion
The
cations
impli-
all bound
to
shall,with
the
your
an
up
with
constantly
permission, call
we
hour
passes
in
160
Essays in PopularPhilosophy.
which
do
we
; and
have
echoed
That
make
Inscribe
"
Ah
To
mend
the wish
it nearer
infancy,the
Acorn,
Fool
! had
Thy
whimsies
Even
quite obliterate.
I with
in
par
fate
conspire
of these
point
of
the universe
on
regrets
are
philosophic
of that friend
hero
that
bough
would
the
from
point
probably make
should
Atheist
of
regret
as
ends
we
little as
of
of view
botch
and
cannot
see
they
and
hard
ends,
own
we
remodelling the
from the point of
Wise
But
can.
our
etc.
of
then
more
pretty obstinate
acts
pumpkin bore,
worked
no
more,"
have
much
How
universe.
for
fate,
"
"
are
of
"
fairer leaf
that most
the criticisms
our
view
Khayam
to
Now, it is undeniable
foolish,and quite on
the
hearts
Remould
of
be otherwise
whose
us
and
you
of
of Omar
on
or
names,
Love, could
with
those
are
the writer
our
Would
value
something might
might clasp,ere
we
And
that
indeed
happy
never
11
wish
not
therefore
men
still some
regrets
stifle, regrets
to
"
ple,
cruelty or treachery, for examperformed by others or by ourselves.
remain
can
one
entirelyoptimisticafter
of wanton
whether
Hardly any
reading the confession
the other
day: how,
of the
to
murderer
get rid of
the
at
Brockton
wife
whose
continued
existence
bored
"
62
as
place in
words,
in other
flaw.
The
more
than
that
and
an
as
with
is afflicted
what
incurable
an
pessimism of a
this, that the
vicious
whose
murder
constitution
irremediable
taint, an
is
because
symptom
whole, which
"
no
says
symptom
it
belongs
its nature
no
express
otherwise
than
by bringing forth just such a symptom
that at this particularspot.
as
Regret for the
to
vicious
impossible, /
is
Schopenhauer
"
it is
be
ought to
organism
murder
transform
must
if
itself,
we
determinists
are
and
wise, into
the
murder
it could
can
be
not
to
different.
What
that whole
frame
of
thingsof
member.
no
escape
see
which
from
whatever
to stand
are,
regret is
the murder
is
one
this
they
should
we
regret
pessimistic
judgment
at all.
The
from
only deterministic
pessimism is
escape
the judgment of regret. That
everywhere to abandon
this can
be done, historyshows
to be not
impossible.
The
be good.
That is,
devil, quoad existentiam,may
although he be a. principleof evil,yet the universe,
with
such
a
principle in it, may
practicallybe a
better
universe
every
hand, in
of
good
anybody
that
if
ways,
we
small
of evil is
amount
it could
than
way,
condition
been
find
we
by
which
without.
that
a
On
certain
higher form
is nothing to
bought. There
prevent
from
generalizing this view, and trusting
could
but see
things in the largestof all
is
even
would
such
matters
and
Voltaire
as
this
Brockton
murder
to be
appear
An
in their train.
by
have
of Determinism.
Dilemma
The
163
in which
train himself to look
ideal ways
a man
may
and lit up with
life. Bereft of dogmatic hardness
on
and
the expression of a tender
pathetic hope, such
Throb
And
thine
with
Nature's
east
of the most
some
an
throbbingbreast,
to
west."
the
be among
cruelty and treachery may
absolutelyblessed fruits of time, and to quarrel with
of their details may
be blasphemy.
The
only
any
be
that
real blasphemy, in short, may
pessimistic
such
lets it give way
to
temper of the soul which
and
grief.
things as regrets, remorse,
deterministic
become
a
Thus, our
pessimism may
deterministic optimism at the price of extinguishing
our
judgments of regret.
this immediately bring us
into a
does
But
not
curious logical
leads\
predicament? Our determinism
because
to call our
us
judgments of regret wrong,
'theyare pessimisticin implying that what is impossi^y
then about
the judgble yet ought to be/ Buthow
If they are wrong,
E"fof regret themselves
other
?
judgments,judgments of approval presumably, ought
in their place. But
to be
as
they are necessitated,
nothing else can be in their place ; and the universe
is justwhat it was
before,
namely, a place in which
what
ought to be appears
impossible. We have got
foot out of the pessimistic
one
bog, but the other one
actions
sinks all the deeper. We
have rescued
our
of evil,but our
from the bonds
judgments are now
Even
i_
"
held fast.
When
sins,regrets
theoretic
and
are
murders
theoretic
the
active
and
treacheries
absurdities
life thus
and
play
cease
to
The
errors.
kind
be
of
see-
Essays in PopularPhilosophy.
164
with
saw
oi either
other
each
the
sends
other
bad.
foredoomed
so
Murder
something must
part.
and
Are
pessimism
from
is there
we
sin
then
which
be
rise
ery
treach-
able,
fatallyunreason-
in the world.
or
this dilemma
escape.
And
down.
The
cannot
no
of evil.
ground
be
cannot
V^
the
on
so
forms
error
there
seems
to
soon
no
first
at
had
be
necessary
fall back
thought we
possibleway by which
we
It must
sight
into the
emerged
with
may,
cruelties and
we
indeterminism
and
slides
us
into the
the
from
form
because,
as
which
there
have
some
is the
least escape,
said, remorse
sarcastically
"
not
and
fondness
by the
clung to with a morbid
luxuries, but because
theologiansas spiritual
they are
existingfacts of the world, and as such must be taken
of all
into account
in the deterministic
interpretation
that is fated to be.
If they are fated to be error, does
the bat's wing of irrationality
stillcast its shadow
not
regret
are
the world
over
The
refuge
far off.
The
from
the
necessary
quandary lies,as
acts
we
I said, not
erroneously regret
The
may
be
may
be
is this
The
deepening
the
world
theoretic
evil in their
so
165
regrettingthem
simple condition
must
final purpose
good, but rather
outward
and
in
error
whose
machine
any
of Determinism.
condition
a
Dilemma
be
is the
a
natures
of what
of
ness
good-
Not
are.
as
for
contrivance
consciousness
intrinsic
that
regarded
making real
not
as
; and
the
cares
doing either of good or of evil, is what nature
Life is one
for,but the knowing of them.
long eating
of the fruit of the tree
of knowledge^ I am
in the
habit,in thinking to myself,of callingthis point of
view the gnostical
point of view. According to it,the
world is neither an
optimism nor a pessimism, but a
gnosticism. But as this term
perhaps lead to t
may
some
misunderstandings,I will use it as little as possible
rather
of
and
the
here, and speak
subjectivism,
subjectivistic
point of view.
we
Subjectivism has three great branches,
may
"
call them
sentimentalism,
scientificism,
and
ism,
sensual-
h
respectively.They all agree essentiallyabout
the universe, in deeming that what
happens there is
subsidiaryto what we think or feel about it. Crime
its criminality
by awakening our intelligence
justifies
of that criminality,
and
and
eventuallyour remorses
regrets ; and
the
error
included
in
remorses
and
grets,
re-
error
of
66
!
nature
undone
nothing
the yawning
to
thus
have
We
ing
deceiv-
"
accentuate
to
our
leaving
consciousness
of those
distance
evil between
and
tempted to exclaim,
better to enlightenus, and
the
in order
us
be
might
we
continuity and
s
who
one
forward
comes
herence
as
number
of
coherence,
well.
have
which
is small.
The
mingle
what
to
of
sort
be.
whose
The
determinism,
of
of
and
cause
universe
dilemma
left horn
is
this
of
may
this
pessimism
any
the
determinism
"
the
good
effect
is what
determinism
and
bad
to
in
deciding
rationallybe held
is
determinism
and
co-
determinists
exposed
most
considerations
those
with
are
you
at
however, that
hard
soft
allows
suppose,
mechanical
or
purely
this evening
called
it smiles
of moral
postulate
I may
among
you
seductions
to whose
I
with
but
whose
one
righthorn
is
is to
Subjectivism. In other words, if determinism
^escape pessimism, it must leave off looking at the
Sf goods and ills of life in a simple objectiveway, and
materials, indifferent in themselves,
as
regard them
for the production of consciousness, scientific and
""
ethical, in
To
escape
Your
us.
pessimism is, as
all know,
no
easy
shown
sufficiently
you
of making the notion
the almost
desperate difficulty
that
that there is a single principle of things,and
principleabsolute perfection,rhyme together with
task.
own
studies
have
we
The
daily vision of
principle,how
our
the
if he did
or,
the
various
ways
bad
appears
by
seem
far the
our
ordinary notion
or
bad
in themselves?
matter,
"
"
the
permit
explained as seeming:
he
to
"
universe
be
must
best.1
in
of
create
God's
considered
to
his unity
goodness nor
And
of all
remain
to
impugned.
of operating the disinfection, and
less bad, the way
of subjectivism
are
making
167
perfectionbe
imperfection
he
came
comes
be
If
any
whitewashed, the
be
disinfected, if neither
power
how
good,
and
there
comes
create, how
not
The
devil?
be
If God
here?
of Determinism.
Dilemma
as
mere
be
bad
not
of
Can
murders
outward
without
and
treacheries,
happenings,
feel their
to
one
any
motions
or
ness?
bad-
could
And
at
of
paradox
1
To
makes
to
who
objectionto
no
fewer
look
moral
our
reader
says
him
not
demands
on
little further
and
prevent
of the
views
he
is satisfied with
things
as
bad,
the world
I
means
his acceptance
Whole, which
at
that
before
satisfaction,I welcome
notion
wondered
have
time
some
than
I have
strange
the
pessimism,
no
more
I, who, making
and
purhas
say: he
them, wish
to
give
isfied.
satup all hope of having them
is that the badness
of some
parts
of a universe
whose
other parts give
him
is the
as
an
essence
pluralism,
just
as
ally.
of
He
has
abandoned
deterministic
I do in this paper.
the
monism,
68
f~+ysuit
of outward
good
of
outward
attainment
is the breath
of its nostrils,
the
be its
to
seem
good would
suffocation and death.
Why does the painting of any
or
on
earth, awaken
paradise or Utopia, in heaven
such yawnings for nirvana
and
The
whiteescape?
robed
of our
sabbath-schools,
harp-playing heaven
the ladylike tea-table
and
elysium represented in
of Ethics, as the final consummaMr. Spencer's Data
tion
of progress,
are
exactly on a par in this respect,
and
all.1 We
lubberlands, pure and simple, one
"
look
them
upon
this delicious
from
of insanities
mess
deadnesses, hopes
realities,strivings and
fears,agonies and exultations,which forms our
and
and
ent
pres-
vitce is the
only sentiment
they
To
in our
breasts.
awaken
our
crepuscular natures,
for the
moral
born
conflict, the Rembrandtesque
in
chiaroscuro, the shiftingstruggle of the sunbeam
the gloom, such
light are
pictures of light upon
tedium
state, and
and
and
tears
of such
and
win
from
saecula
the whole
so
that
joyed
en-
fruit ot
began
race
of
ceed,
suc-
their
tented
con-
battle, or
before
should
insipidity
why,
"
flat a
singularly
that
than
saeculorum
lives,
the
the curtain
business
end
unexampled
inoffensive
ring down
be
to
generations of mankind
lives ; if prophets confessed
the fire,and all the sacred
other
no
protract in
and
saved
for
shed
creatures
that
in
martyrs sang
were
neither
if the
say;
their
laid down
victory,we
suffered
so
If this be
understood.
nor
the
and
expressionless,
and
vacuous
the
at
such
at all events
last act
rate,
better
of the
importantly may
winding-up.
so
Stephen'sEssays by
play,
be
Barrister,London,
170
of them
each
ethical
point
I
aught
love
choose
to
for
little room
rational
centuries
of
livingheart
subjectivism!
for
be
see
the
of the
much
of view.
know, be
nothing
on
the
and
one,
roll
dilemma
it and
are
the
world
the
more
possibly,for
the healthy
When
theoretical
strictly
may,
else.
of determinis
pessimism,
Subjectivism seems
And
great
man.
from
hesitation
they
as
If the
between
scheme.
of life is
in the
indispensable note
an
which
concert
grinding out
So
is
and
its appetites
the most
brutal
unutterablyreal ; when
and the most
spiritualthings are lit by the same
sun,
is an integralpart of the total richness,
and each
ing
a grudging and
why, then it seems
sicklyway of meetseem
so
"
robust
so
wish
and
universe
them
not
to
shrink
be.
to
from
any
take
Rather
of its facts
the
strictly
thing as a
If
we
in favor
to
say
said
of
tivism.
subjec-
why
those
convince
my
be that my
own
tions
objec-
radical
with
1
after I have
stronger still.
are
one,
some
Cet
Servons
meet
follow its consequences,
we
make
Let a subjectivism
us
pause.
and
manner
that
univers
est
les intentions
un
du
aussi
spectacleaussi brillant,
varie que
donne
se
contribuant
possible.
"
Renan.
a
a
lui-m6me.
rendre
le
The
begin in
forced
so
never
the
by
law
of
in
notion
themselves, and
how
matter
of
that
that
duty
are
to
the
we
for
here
are
them
duties
to
do
good
are
them,
and
no
the
consecrate
once
performances
our
corruptest curiosity.
that certain
feel about
we
notion
opposite
with
end
the
dismiss
its nature
171
way, it is
develop another
intellectual
and
severe
Once
of Determinism.
Dilemma
our
lations
vio-
the attainment
purpose,
and
feeling,and
common
of
subjectiveknowledge
of our
that the deepening of these
is the chief end
lives, and at what point on the downward
slope are
In theology, subjectivismdevelops as
to stop?
we
its left wing
antinomianism.
In literature,
its left
And
life it is eiin practical
ther
wing is romanticism.
out
witha nerveless
sentimentalityor a sensualism
"
'
'
bounds.
Everywhere
It makes
those
still; it renders
already in excess.
as
subjectivism,
itself in every
license.
Its
wholly
All
soon
sort
as
of
reckless
Britain,were
those
more
whose
mind.
passive
through historywe
is
energy
find how
it has
exhausts
free career,
moral,
spiritual,
optimism turns
which
infallibly
brings
It is perfectlysafe to say now
gnosticism,which has begun
in Great
inert
already too
are
of
to become
to
an
ethical
dissolution
that
show
to
and
practical
ence,
indiffer-
in its train.
if the
Hegelian
itself here
and
popular philosophy,
in Germany, it would
it once
as
was
certainlydevelop
its left wing here as there, and
produce a reaction of
a
disgust. Already I have heard
graduate of this
in the pulpit his willingnessto sin
very school
express
like David, if only he might repent like David.
You
tell me
he was
only sowing his wild, or rather
may
his tame, oats ; and perhaps he was.
But the point is
a
172
that in the
or
subjectivistic
gnosticalphilosophy oat*
a systematic necessity
sowing, wild or tame, becomes
the
and
classic
chief
truths,the
and
experienced ;
herd
do
not
influence
of
of
function
then
the
we
see
at the
its inevitable
literature,with
are
so
often
last
runnings of
in that
them
After
the
and
pure
be
must
excitingand rancid ones
if the stupidvirtues of the philistine
in and
come
save
societyfrom the
children
of light,a sort of inward
putrefactionbecomes
Look
life.
the
romantic
school, as
Parisian
strange contemporary
which
driven
doom.
of
we
rinse
to
the
out
less clever
minds
our
countries
after
they
become
"
is of
course
the
Renan
of latest
dates.
As
I have
the term
"
One
other
dwells
on
the
one
speaks with
energy,
a
voice
the
of
The
Dilemma
of Determinism.
that of
harp ;
^Eolian
an
173
one
of vanitas
hear, whenever
may
writer
of this French
rescue
from
the hour
of
the hour
in which
we
"
them,"
from
or
"
school
romantic
hour
thingsof life,
no
pleasure in
I take
say,
of
word
the
satietywith
"
the
has
of terror
at
vast
the
world's
such
hours
facts of
sibility
sen-
is
or
historical,
poetical,critical,
this inward
remedilessness,what Carlyle calls this faroff whimpering of wail and woe.
And
from this romantic
there is absolutelyno
state of mind
possible
theoretic escape.
life in
refined
more
whether,
or
'
prefer to
be
scientific
on
appears
and
since
say
spirit
;
selves
pique our-
'
scale,
"
'
roman
in either
case
perimental
ex-
the
lyle
Carpotentiallyas what the same
it,a vast, gloomy, solitaryGolgotha
us
mill of death.
The
name
to
upon
of the
Zola, we
of M.
'
look
we
romance
and
infinite
an
called
once
'
cynical,and
'
world
as
way,
our
on
only
I have
of
is
escape
mentioned
Carlyle,let
it is the
Carlyle'slife,no
way
of
matter
the
by
And
practicalway.
nowadays much-reviled
the
mention
me
his
it
teaching.
for
once
more,
No
matter
great deal
and
for
of his writ-
174
What
ing.
to
He
most
important thing
said:
"Hang
your
snivellingcomplaints,and
us?
your
the
was
raptures !
Leave
off
he
sensibilities!
said
Stop
ling
equally snivelgeneral emotional
your
your
like
"
!
But this
men
tomfoolery, and get to WORK
with the subjectivist
means
a complete rupture
osophy
philof things. It says conduct, and
ity,
sensibilnot
is the ultimate
fact for our
recognition. With
the
vision
outward
our
of
certain
changes
to
works
be
intellectual horizon"
succeed
to
be
done, of certain
wrought or resisted, it
terminates. No matter
says
hovt.
in
duties, whether
doing these outward
gladly and spontaneously,or heavily and unwillingly,
do them
somehow
must
we
; for the leaving of them
undone
is perdition. No
how
feel ; if we
matter
we
refuse to do
act and
are
only faithful in the outward
the world will in so far be safe,and we
quit of
wrong,
debt
toward
it. Take, then, the yoke upon
our
our
shoulders
neck
beneath
the heavy legality
our
; bend
of its weight ; regard something else than our
feeling
law ; be willingto
as
our
limit,our
our
master, and
we
live and
have
die
in
its
service,
"
and,
at
stroke,
we
of Determinism.
Dilemma
The
we
to
Thou
art
of the rest
burden
O Universe,
thyself,
better
and
worse,"
not
may
done
Look
175
our
have
we
in
For
the view
this
terministic
can
there
way.
be in
are
enabled
to
and
and
in
feel that
natural
the
feel, without
and
bad.
I cannot
is bad, without
understand
have
was
the
The
taking
nothing
to
open
that
at
its
regret without
the
some
act,
acts
the
wrong
of the sort,
I
reallygood
are
that
I
Only
it that
gain.
act
an
cannot
of
real,
then
is it
admission
to
not
can-
how
matter
no
belief
world.
positiveuniversal
the
well?
as
sible
pos-
there
can
happening.
righteousnessbe
us
the
understand
regret
sense
for
we
menacing
more,
what
done
belief
unless
is also
way
willingnessto
in
genuine possibilities
1
And
ourselves
excitement
or
right way,
nay,
"
way?
condemning
understand
the
the wrong
way,
need
way, unless we
unless the rightway
we
interest,zest,
achieving
imminent
an
be
What
the end
of all
our
176
other
do
than
our
from
the
after
back
and
it must
forever
mourn.
If you
was
that possuperstition,
sibility
is in the eye of science and reason
bility,
impossiand that if I act badly 'tis that the universe
foredoomed
fall right
to suffer this defect,you
into the dilemma, the labyrinth,of pessimism
from out of whose
toils we
have just
subjectivism,
wound
our
Now,
way.
of
are
we
please. For
own
my
beset
course
free
fall back, if
to
we
ties
difficul-
contains
romanticism,
still. But
you
awhile
which
fashion
in
the
difficulties
will remember
ago
could
this
the
that
that I
are
greater
expresslyrepudiated
pretensionto
be coercive
And
in
consequently find
myself,at the end of this long talk,obliged to state
conclusions
This
in an altogetherpersonalway.
my
of appeal seems
the
to be among
personal method
of the problem ; and
the most
conditions
very
any
he
the
confess
is
do
to
one
can
can
as
candidly as
grounds for the faith that is in him, and leave his
example to work on others as it may.
circumlocution
Let me, then, without
say justthis.
The
world
is enigmaticalenough in all conscience,
take
whatever
it. The
theory we
may
up toward
I defend, the free-will theory of popuindeterminism
lar
the judgment of regret,represents
based on
sense
matter.
offer any
ments
arguso-called scientific
178
I, for
will not
with.
The
ing
only remainalternative,the attitude of gnosticalromanticism,
wrenches
personal instincts in quite as violent a
my
It falsifies the simple objectivity
of their deliverance.
way.
It makes
the goose-fleshthe murder
excites
in me
sufficient reason
for the perpetrationof the
a
life from
It transforms
crime.
a
tragic realityinto
one,
insincere
an
tawdry
melodramatic
as
one's
any
And
it out.
carry
'
naturaliste
man
of the
tamper
baser
exhibition,
diseased
with
its consecration
of Parisian
crew
or
as
curiositypleases
of mind, and
state
foul
as
to
'
of the
ro-
its enthronement
litterateurs among
the
by which the infinite
eternallyindispensableorgans
tion
spirit of things attains to that subjectiveilluminais the task of its life,
it leaves
in prewhich
me
sence
of a sort
of subjectivecarrion
considerably
noisome
than the objectivecarrion I called it in
more
take
to
away.
! better
No
corruption
it be
that the
than
of the
clean
moral
the
with
the
with
very
world
a
no
in it of
chance
chance
such
notion
come
never
am
it may
the
other
and
if I still wish
lets
it
totality,
at
is better
pass,
all.
exhorted
That
and
'
deny
bers
mem-
to
think
a
being altogethergood,
to
some
ticated
unsophis-
an
feel that
me
that
If
views
to
of affection
And
sense.
as
chance
breast
turn
an
pluralism are
broad
far
great
know
as
pluralism,whatever
permits me, at least,to
better
as
please, I
you
pluralismand nothing more.
members
with
but
Make
chance.
of
me,
systematic
plainestpessimism,
straightforward
;
chance
means
the
such
sanity, the
of
world
about
uproar
chance
moral
our
that
so
of
of
times, than
thousand
than
chance
world
even
a
'
of
if
world
whose
conjured to banish
The
from
of the
view
my
concerning it,that
chance
Shame,
exist.
!
For
rather, on
its presence
And
here
all I
be
may
is the
This
for
lets the
world
future
supposing to
nial
repudiation and its de-
motive
its
reason
"
any
of
Just this,
what?
"
respects the
the
have
we
is
179
the suicide
as
'
chance
than
better
and
only
'
future
that in moral
the chance
other
of Determinism.
Dilemma
keeps
it sweet.
pressed
ex-
by others to-night.
But I know
that if I do stop here, misapprehensions
will remain
in the minds
of some
of you, and
keep
said from
all I have
having its effect; so I judge it
best
add
to
to
care
few
see
admitted
more
words.
'
'
'
bad
had
to
word
thrust it
not
use
make
to
milder
so
with ; and
butt-foremost
at you,
converts
you
"
wish
you
wish
term.
there may
and
the
best
word
is the
be
one
that
enables
men
to
j8o
know
the
'
than
better
would
chance
mere
be.
It is
of
word
of the
fashion
soft
determinists, make
leg to
But
make
other
we
it does
sure
hand,
liberty with one
anxiously tie a stringto its
not
get beyond our sight.
to
now
the
not
the
with
bird
unguaranteed
preclude utterlythe
Does
governing the world?
universe
and
so
at
the
notion
craving of
our
tempests, for
it not
of
leave
Does
chance
or
Providence
the
fate of
of the
mercy
far insecure?
final doubt.
your
freedom
the
of
pretence
Does
nature
for
blue
zenith
an
it
chance-possibilities,
not, in short, deny the
ultimate
above
all
behind
peace
all clouds?
belief in Providence,
Providence
If you
to
allow
actualities to
the
in those
chances
may
the
course
to
carry
on
his
own
categoriesjust as we do ours,
be there, uncontrolled
even
by him,
of the universe be reallyambiguous;
thinking
and
universe, and
two
The
yet the
and
of all
end
be
things may
from
be
it to
intended
of Determinism.
Dilemma
just what
he
all
eternity.
the meaning
of this clear.^\
analogy will make
before
the one
a
chessboard,
a
Suppose two men
The
novice, the~other an expert player of the game.
An
"
intends
expert
exactly what
he knows
of them
the
by
of
direction
arrives,after
of his
his
adversary
possiblemoves
how
matter
no
how
to
which
own
the
And
victory.
meet
leads
in
victory infallibly
devious
of check-mate
predestined form
one
of
move
in advance
move
foresee
cannot
he
But
actual
one
any
He
be.
may
beat.
to
in the
course,
the
to
novice's
king.
Let
the
and
the
now
to
will not
of
And
I have
no
to
form
see
to
us
none
and
his world
the
timeless
of
another
that
all
in
which
the
unknown.
one
to whom
under
mind
been
which
rather
eternitybeing given
of
whacking
way
exist ?
possibilities
the
upon
all time
form
thinks
of
decided
can
stroke
when
moments
law
of
under
as
biguous
am-
Is not, however,
And
is not
omniscience
at
us
left
of that mind
is excluded.
to
the
or
actuality,
gratuitous fiction
be
simultaneouslyknow
possiblybe
chance
At
is simultaneously
certain
future, he must
judgments
from
subject to
the timelessness
on
If he
have
mind
creative
while
content
steps thereto.
shall
possibilities
insists
things
of his mental
is
the
A mind
make.
ambiguity will
that
notion
all the
on
who
one
any
replyto
must
the
leaves
course
in their
how
decide
points,ambiguous
time.
some
now
various
present
infinite mind
say,
This
us
lies.
his universe
for
stand
the
for
expert
universe
him
novice
the
only just
of
denying
time
"
is
an
82
either of which, at
open,
whichever
actual.
But
become
real, I know
creator's
left blank
of
of these
realization
be
would
chance
Other
need
to
came
And
Eastern
some
the
sun,
the
So
The
all
realization
the
his
moment
be
how
of absolute
the
matters
of the
cluding
plan, inrigorously deter*
rest
be
himself
creator
partly of
be
would
details of
time
thus
details,but
when
the
But
would
not
actualityuntil they
view
own
facts and
the gross
which
has
sage
would
sky
'
means
course
sort
so
fathers
our
think
under
as
lost its
of the
world
partly of possibilities
ever,
one
thing,how-
but
not
interposition,
such
in
delight representing,
for
magic
Emerson
reallydone
were
to
us.
snakeskin
of
the spasms
Nature
But, says Emerson,
and
will
man's
wait
it
tax
to
so
patience
;
God
in
his
of the reserved
keeps
possibilities
invisible
and
molecular
and
think
of
please. We
may
ad
hoc.
agencies which he inspires
obstruction
took
as
we
convulsions
'
miraculous
in spasms.
centuries
may
as
would
absolutelyto chance
upshot, would
any
view
this of
and
and
at
a
necessarilyof
out
the
is now.
Of
exactly as ours
he might be certain ; and that is that his world
how
much
it might zigsafe,and that no matter
zag
at last.
he could surelybring it home
was
be
from
is,their decision
seen
was
all the
know
and
would
furcati
bi-
next
would
possibilities
; that
fell out.
for all.
once
left
came.
its final
mined
the
at
universe
determined
till it
wait
to
bifurcations
driftingaway
only be
determined
contingently
have
do
of its actual
many
be marked
down.
to
as
is,would
that
I shall
of the
plan
would
possibilities
some
what
of these
jecome
I intend.1
final result
of
branch
to
The
given instant,may
of
to
the
a
earth
and
god'splans of
sky
which
quotes
under
and
them
as
years
We
long.
hand,
own
a
form
counteracting human
and
signs and wonders
only neutralizers
it is possibleto think.
are
not
it
cast
are
slowly self-summating
In short,
the
the
of
the
whether
be
to
this
alienate
by himself,
The
are.
us,
fate's scales
seem
of
fight, is
small
account,
is what
gives
makes
strange
and
it
the
here
and
and
and
you
may
of
error
for
then
continuing
the
with
discussion
hominem
can
have
its
in that
small
voice
which
selves
from
effort
saying,
tense,
urges
in
an
future
last
It will
opposite
quite unanswerable
the
have
course
it be
so,
that
It
in every
ad
determinists,
of least
been
fated,"
way.
thus
resistance,
to
excuse
=4-^
tunate
is for-
word.
tense,
/the
to
lines
; and
is
things
argumentum
perfect
passion,
"
all
If
ago.
this
and
anything
liberty.1
in
so
reality,
foredoomed
adversary's
been
with
hard
that
of controversy
up
As
can
long
determinism
be
that
dogma
believe
to
winding
denial
settled
moral
This
determinisms,
their
and
now,
foredoomed
were
their
by
alike, suppress
decided
the
now.
our
says,
excitement.
an
what
are
Mallock
Mr.
that
and
here
than
the
admit
palpitating realityto
elaborate
this excitement,
else
tingle,as
snatches
from
we
as
he
or
moments
good
and
long
so
nowhere
is decided
issue
them,
nerveless
shrinks
or
men
possibilitiesare
soul-trying
quiver,
to
cision
de-
we
as
solve
who
we
the
leave
such
the
those
at
evil
from
life and
it be
he
contrary,
and
creatures
that
is
point
Whether
victory
soft
finite
to
through
working
That
out
the
on
its proper
when
each
himself,
from
great
really here.
when
whether,
or
power
and
out
the
decided
arrives,
moment
the
leave
scheme,
bilities
chance-possi-
absolute
the
creator
183
this
in
entirely immaterial,
is
it
Now,
Determinism.
of
Dilemma
The
the
still
then*
Essays in PopularPhilosophy.
184
THE
MOBAL
PHILOSOPHER
purpose
such
is no
of this paper
contribute
to
main
there
THE
LIFE.1
MORAL
THE
AND
is to show
that
so
other
as
we
words, there
than
more
in
while
prompt
which
waiting, and
are
us,
among
determine
what
First of all,what
race's
moral
final truth
the last
the
that
the
acts
life.
in ethics
has
man
In the one
his say.
the hypotheses which
said
other, however,
make
no
physics,until
experience and
the
be
can
the
to
any
had
case
we
which
In
his
as
in
now
they
indispensableconditions
'say' shall be.
An
Address
International
to
the
Journal
of
is the
86
satisfaction that an
divinityhas proved to his own
be
must
altogetherunique facultycalled conscience
postulatedto tell us what is right and what is wrong ;
when
has proor
popular-science enthusiast
your
claimed
that
apriorism is an exploded superstition,
moral
and that our
judgments have graduallyresulted
from
the teaching of the environment, each of these
thinks that ethics is settled and nothing more
persons
The
is to be said.
familiar pair of names,
Intuitionist
used
and
to connote
now
Evolutionist, so commonly
in ethical opinion,reallyrefer
all possible differences
The
discussion
to the psychological question alone.
of this question hinges so much
tails
particulardeupon
it at all within
that it is impossible to enter
upon
I will therefore only express
the limits of this paper.
that the
belief,which is this,
dogmatically my own
Benthams, the Mills, and the Bains have done a lasting
human
of our
service
in taking so
ideals and
many
have
arisen from
the association
showing how they must
with acts of simple bodily pleasuresand reliefs
from
remote
pleasures
pain. Association with many
of goodwill unquestionably make
a thing significant
ness
in our
minds
vaguely the goodness
; and the more
is conceived
of, the more
mysterious will its
But
it is surely impossible to
to be.
source
appear
and
sentiments
preferences in this
explain all our
The more
minutely psychology studies
simple way.
human
clearly it finds there traces
nature, the more
of secondary affections, relating the impressions of
'
'
'
'
"
the
with
environment
impulses
associations
in
quite
different
of coexistence
all
practically
that
pure
another
one
ways
and
and
from
succession
with
those
which
our
mere
are
Take
terror
The
Moral
and
Philosopher
Moral
Life.
187
"
and
Well,
harmonies
vast
as
number
these.
of
our
moral
perceptions also
kind.
certainlyof this secondary and brain-born
They deal with directlyfelt fitnesses between
things,
and
often fly in the teeth of all the prepossessions
")f habit and presumptions of utility.The
moment
and more
commonplace
get beyond the coarser
you
moral
Richard's
maxims, the Decalogues and Poor
and positionswhich
Almanacs, you fall into schemes
are
to
the
eye
of
The
persons
have
common-sense
for abstract
sense
is
as
are
excentric
fantastic and
strained.
over-
justicewhich
some
variation,from
the
natural-history
point of view, as is the passion for
music
for the higher philosophicalconsistencies
or
the soul of others.
which
The
consumes
feelingof
the inward
dignity of certain spiritualattitudes,as
sential
veracity; and of the esserenity,simplicity,
peace,
vulgarityof others, as querulousness,anxiety,
are
cept
egoisticfussiness, etc.,
quite inexplicableexinnate
ideal
by an
preference of the more
sake.
attitude for its own
The
nobler thing
pure
"
tastes
better,and
that
is all that
we
can
say.
'
Ex-
88
'
perience
things are
do
with
shot
of consequences
what
his
is
wife's
we
paramour,
things
hear
that
have
vulgar
by reason
of
is it that
the wife
world
Messrs.
Morris's
Utopias should
kept permanently happy
a
should
lost soul
certain
lead
Fourier's
all be
the
on
on
the
what
we
and
what
are
the
it up and are
livingcomfortably
if the hypothesis were
offered
Or
in which
us
to
consequences
?
If a man
made
again?
that
what
and
mean
in
repugnancy
when
have
but
wicked,
trulyteach
may
and
has
tile
subgusted
dis-
so
husband
together
us
of
Bellamy's
outdone, and
and
millions
simple condition
far-off edge of things
one
life of
"
'
'
The
Moral
Life.
Moral
and
Philosopher
189
far
revolutionary. They present themselves
the guise of effects of past experience than in
of future experience,factors to
probable causes
less in
far
taught
learn
must
us
is all I
This
the
In
now.
the
and
the environment
it has
lessons
so
that of
which
bend.
to
of the
psychologicalquestion
can
say
last
chapter of a
a generalway
work
recent
I have
next
of what
we
characteristics
other
that school's
will
up the followingquestions.
in order is the metaphysical question,
take
we
as
appear
The
to
one
by
mean
the
'
words
'
obligation,'good/
'ill.'
and
II.
that such
words
have
can
no
in which
no
relevancy in a world
life exists.
sentient
Imagine an absolutely material
facts,
world, containing only physical and chemical
and
a
God, without
existing from eternity without
application or
even
interested
an
in
sense
better
saying
than
another?
possible,would
good
callingone
The
1890.
Principlesof
Or
there be any
the other
and
New
of
one
if there
Psychology,
there
would
that
of that world
worlds
in
spectator
H.
"
or
reason
good
Holt
is
such
two
rhyme
York,
any
its states
were
bad,
be
"
or
Co,
Essays in PopularPhilosophy.
190
I mean,
and
positively,
apart from the fact that
one
might relate itself better than the other to the
But we
leave
must
philosopher'sprivate interests?
these
private interests out of the account, for the
philosopher is a mental fact,and we are asking whether
goods and evils and obligationsexist in physical facts
Surely there is no status for good and evil to
per se.
exist in, in a purely insentient world.
How
can
one
physical fact,considered
simply as a physicalfact,be
'better'
Betterness
is not a physical
than another?
In its mere
material capacity,a thing can
relation.
than it can
be pleasantor
be good or bad
no
more
for what?
for the production
Good
painful. Good
of another
physical fact,do you say? But what in a
the production of
purely physical universe demands
fact?
that other
Physical facts simply are or are
neither
when
not ; and
they
present or absent, can
If they do, they can
be supposed to make
demands.
only do so by having desires ; and then they have
ceased
to be
purely physical facts,and have become
facts of conscious
sensibility.Goodness, badness, and
in order really
obligationmust be realized somewhere
the first step in ethical philosophy is to
to exist ; and
of things can
that no
see
merely inorganic nature
bad
'
'
realize them.
Neither
law
in
mind
can
swing
which
vacuo.
feels them
moral
relations
Their
; and
only
no
nor
habitat
world
the
can
moral
be
composed
of
Moral
The
and
Philosopher
is
such
In
absurd
to
thinker's
Truth
of
sort
question
judgments of good
solitude.
In
there
be
can
conform;
such
outward
no
another.
and
pungent
will have
will return
haunt
them
So
here
which
the
he
thinker
have
several
own
the
us
that
only
will be
ideals
doubt
no
moral
that the
to
to
is
Let
it is clear
is liable
not.
or
thinker
inhabits
solitude
be
with
more
rest, their
goodness
penetratingtaste ; they
with
thinker
its chief
as
of the
and
obligation,
him
the
are
be
solitary-
higher judge.
appealing than
profounder, more
if violated.
true
ill
of these will
Some
to
and
no
god-like thinker
consistencyof his
the
in
course
the
but
moral
of
of whether
outside
the
trouble
with
standard
values
that it would
as
subject to
divinity,
supposed universe
call the
over
of his
the
raise
of
creator
all.
at
universe
supposes
he must
which
outside
sole
191
being good
is the
character
moral
one
he
universe, and
that
no
; and
Life.
Moral
obstinate
more
will
have
regrets
to
order
or
else
determinants,
his life
remain
and
Into
whatever
inwardly discordant
unhappy.
he
settle,though, and however
equilibrium he may
straightenout his system, it will be a rightsysmay
tem;
for beyond the facts of his own
subjectivity
in
there is nothing moral
the world.
If
and
now
we
dislikes
becomes
each
immediately
to
what
second
thinker
universe, the
seen
to
about
to
the
and
several
may
his likes
situation
ties
possibili-
obtain.
good and
indulge his own
other
with
ethical
attitude
continue
complex,
more
of these
other's
the
into
much
are
One
introduce
ignore each
evil altogether,
and
ferent
preferences,indif-
feel
may
or
do.
In such
Essays in PopularPhilosophy.
192
have
we
case
quality in it as our
ethical unity. The
according as you
one
that
or
with twice
world
moral
of the ethical
measure
the
thinkers
find
any
possibleground
that
one
thinker's
in such
is
opinion
Nor
takes.
Not
it from
within
for such
is there
only
of
indifferent
than
but
moral
of view
be
things can
a
quivocally
une-
demand
thinkers
two
each
the
Such
sense.
even
you
saying
singlepoint
no
for
correct
more
the values
which
can
world
it is without
solitude,only
same
of
one
much
as
are
other's
thoughts
and acts.
Multiply the thinkers into a pluralism,and
find realized for us in the ethical sphere something
we
the antique sceptics conceived
like that world which
supposed
"
but
individual
in which
of,
all
to
things,and
only
minds
which
in
multitude
of
to
of
measures
'
'
objective truth,
subjectiveopinions,can be
no
'
the
are
one
'
found.
this is the kind
But
so
long
as
he
of world
holds
to
with which
the
hope
the
of
philosopher,
phy,
philoso-
the various
ideals repAmong
resented,
have
which
there must
be, he thinks, some
truth or authority; and to these the others
the more
ought to yield, so that system and subordination
ought the notion of
reign. Here in the word
may
emphatically into view, and the
obligationcomes
be
make
to
its meaning
next
thing in order must
will not
put up.
'
'
clear.
Since
to show
the outcome
us
that
of the discussion
nothing can
be
good
so
or
rightexcept
Essays in PopularPhilosophy.
194
remain, What
would
is the
here?
even
first essays
our
abstract
order
that
at
the other
think
we
should
submit.
so,
when
it is
"
'
either
themselves,' is therefore
or
else
it must
abstraction
actual
demand
obligationmust
ethical
be
upon
be
philosophy
treated
that
from
us
an
to
out-and-out
merely provisional
in whose
real Thinker
think
as
ultimatelybased.
that
as
thinker
in
stition,
super-
he
In
does
a
our
theistic-
question is, of
the
course,
Deity
whom
to
Moral
the
Life.
195
of
existence
the
is due.
universe
I
and
Philosopher
Moral
The
how
well
know
accustomed
hard
I have
what
to
it is for
those
the
called
who
are
superstitious
to
de
'
'
as
claim, we
think,
being, which
the
Pole
matter
fact.
from
steel of the
It rains
law
out
upon
dimension
inhabits,much
compass-needle the
from
down
sublime
some
moral
the
rains down
of
as
influence
the
o,f
upon
of the
But
such an
again,how can
inorganic abstract character
the imperativeness
of imperativeness,additional
to
Take
claim itself,
which is in the concrete
exist?
any
which
demand, however
slight,
any creature, however
make.
sole sake,
weak, may
Ought it not, for its own
If not, prove
satisfied?
The
to be
why not.
only
be
would
possible kind of proof you could adduce
the exhibition
demand
that
of another
the
creature
other
who
The
should
make
only possible
be why any phenomenon
there can
reason
ought to
exist is that such a phenomenon
actuallyis desired.
Any desire is imperative to the extent of its amount
;
itself valid by the fact that it exists at all.
it makes
Some
desires,trulyenough, are small desires ; they
and we
are
tomarily
cusput forward by insignificant
persons,
make
light of the obligationswhich
they
as
bring. But the fact that such personal demands
these impose small
obligationsdoes not keep the
largestobligationsfrom being personal demands.
If we
talk impersonally,
to be sure
must
can
we
say
a
ran
way.
Essays in PopularPhilosophy.
196
that
'
such
itself
But
such
or
through
the
it is better
such
of
in
of such
talk
to
unless
the
believe
we
tory
obliga-
it expresses
such
or
about
which
creature.
universe
in
it is
they
then
or
If there
its demands
obligationsimply because
in this
universal
actuallyexists.
consciousness, then
But
makes
or
action, whenever
desires
consciousness
divine
most
requires,exacts,
an
not
personifiedway,
be
'
the universe
carry
the
the great
are
abstractly
It is only con*
right that we should respect them.
cretelyright, or right after the fact,and by virtue
of the fact,that they are
actuallymade.
Suppose we
do not respect them, as seems
largelyto be the case
That
in this queer world.
ought not to be, we say ;
est
amount.
even
not
"
that
ness
But
is wrong.
made
imagine
consist
rather
than
in the
ideal order
priori
personalGod?
Do
we,
and
blanket
from
which
he
in the
laceration
disappointment of
perhaps, think that we
make
his impotence
way
acceptable or
more
it to
in what
may
him
up
draw
with
this
of
an
living
cover
over
a
us
priori
of
warmth
some
'
'
'
'
'
Moral
The
the
which
as
it is
hard
as
We
about
God
in the eye
; and
of
philosophy,
thing to explain.
that what
consider
now
may
talk
197
or
things can
gloze over
dispel.
priori order is as impotent a thing
ineffective
an
no
Life.
of
nature
ineffective
An
embodies, which
universe
eternal
an
Moral
and
Philosopher
distinguished
ethical philosophy
we
metaphysical question in
have
is sufficiently
learned
answered, and that we
what
the words
erally
good,' bad,' and
obligation sevabsolute
pendent
no
mean.
They mean
natures, indeof personal support.
They are
objects of
the
as
'
'
feelingand desire,which
in
have
from
Being, apart
'
foothold
no
the
existence
age
anchor-
or
of
actually
living minds.
such
Wherever
demands
good
and
is
ethical world
an
and
ill,
all other
blotted
but
would
with
rock
one
and
have
as
and
two
which
the
It would
harbor.
the
men
loving souls
thoroughly moral a
possible world
could
in
from
rock's
judgments of
another, there
one
upon
its essential
features.
things,gods
out
exist, with
minds
inhabitants
starry heavens,
were
there
left
it,that rock
upon
constitution
as
any
eternities
be
Were
and
immensities
cause
tragic constitution,bewould
die.
But
while
moral
limit but
which
whose
life,
the
active
intensityof
the hero
and
heroine
would
have no
energy
interest in each other with
might
be endowed.
198
We,
this terrestrial
on
facts go,
Whether
this
real
basis
God
the
is
'
for
ethics
human
purely
demand
in
The
well
well
exist, in
as
have
where
as
the
universe
as
theism
ine
genu-
highest
where
there
'
affords
Whether
does.
pher's
gratify the philoso-
can
the other
must
rate
tion
first reflec-
religionof humanity
ourselves
we
in
as
rock.
at any
the
ethics
universe
system
as
form
we
And
is that
to
as
bent,
visible
a
God
no
below.
human,
well.
as
which
leads
whether
us
foothold
consciousness
is
above
the
as
of such
inhabitants
or
republic here
which
and
the
exist,
heaven
ethical
an
God
blue
yon
just like
are
far
globe, so
is
answer
different
ere
tion,
ques-
close.
we
III.
The
last fundamental
be remembered,
the
where
the
existence
in
been
the
of
world
of
divine
it will
we
thinker
are,
has
of
perhaps always will be doubted
by some
lookers-on, and where, in spite of the presence
human
of ideals in which
beings
large number
and
agree,
there
are
mass
of
others
which
about
no
It is hardly necessary
obtains.
to
general consensus
present a literarypicture of this,for the facts are too
the spirit
The
of the flesh and
in
well known.
wars
the concupiscences of different individuals
each man,
material
social
unshareable
or
pursuing the same
so
according to races,
prizes,the ideals which contrast
circumstances, temperaments,
philosophical beliefs,
of apparently inextricable conall form a maze
fusion
etc.,
"
with
out.
Yet
no
the
adds
obvious
Ariadne's
thread
justbecause
philosopher,
his own
peculiarideal to
to
he is
lead
a
one
sopher,
philo-
the confusion
Moral
The
Moral
and
Philosopher
Life.
199
willing to be a sceptic he
all
be passably content),and insists that over
would
individual
these
opinions there is a system of truth
if he only takes sufficient pains.
discover
which he can
We
stand ourselves
at present in the place of that
fail to realize all the features
and must
not
philosopher,
In the first place we
that the situation
comports.
be sceptics
hold to it that there is a
will not
; we
But in the second
truth to be ascertained.
place we
be
have justgained the insightthat that truth cannot
abstract
moral
set of laws, or
an
a self-proclaiming
reason,' but can
only exist in act, or in the shape of
thinker
an
reallyto be found.
opinion held by some
if he
which
(with
were
'
There
is, however,
authority.
Shall
visible
no
then
we
thinker
invested
simply proclaim
our
with
own
the
The
more
as
is
dilemma
easy
as
we
hard
revolve
one,
it in
does
nor
our
it grow
minds.
The
bit
entire
method
of
indeed
history been
and
presents itself,
taken
by
the
more
has
as
serious
200
ethical
schools.
proved
seemed,
on
measure,
If it
were
If the
things demanded
than
at first they
common
involved
in any
the
then
essence,
goodness, and
for
essence
show
could
order
happy in
dignity;
the
to
flow from
its rank
be
in the
quickly made
species on
long
harm
make
others
; to
run
no
the
one
add
; to
to
as
his
well
perfectionor
follow from
has
No
one
or
reason
with the
law ; to be in accordance
promote the survival of the human
; to
this
planet,
"
are
so
many
tests, each
maintained
by somebody to
of all good things or actions
the essence
they are good.
which
him
as
universal
will of God
as
to
moment;
be
essence
which
all
good upon
thinkers
were
agreed, the relativelyobjective and
Even
universal good that the philosopher seeks.
his
own
by their share
privateideals would be measured
the rest.
of it,and find their rightful
place among
of good have thus been found and
Various essences
Thus, to be
proposed as bases of the ethical system.
between
two
extremes
a
mean
; to be recognized by
the agent happy
a specialintuitive
faculty; to make
for the
would
of this
amount
would
good
one
scale of
this
of
heap
been
of the
measures
that
have
been
of
tute
constiso
far
actually
proposed
"
has, however,
202
such
would
imaginary world
was
gratifiedas
however, have
need
mensions,'
be
soon
that
include
best
simply
every demand
a world
would,
Such
physical constitution
of the
only
not
in which
one
made.
as
have
to
from
different
would
the
are
which
one
inhabit.
we
but
space,
all the
entirely
time,
'
It
of n-dX-
and
experiences
here
another
below, which
incompatible with one
would
then go on in conjunction,
such as spending
our
holiday,yet
yet growing rich ; taking our
money,
with our
work; shooting and fishing,
getting ahead
end of
yet doing no hurt to the beasts; gaining no
youthful freshness of
experience, yet keeping our
heart; and the like. There can be no question that
of things, however
such
a
brought about,
system
be the absolutelyideal system ; and
that if a
would
universes
and
a priori,
philosopher could create
vide
proto
acts
"
of
sort
should
unhesitatinglycreate.
of ours
is made
rent
But this world
on
an
entirelydiffepattern, and the casuistic question here is most
actually possible in this
tragicallypractical. The
than all that is demanded
world
is vastly narrower
;
the ideal and the
and there is always a pinch between
actual which
can
only be got through by leaving part
There
is hardly a good which
of the ideal behind.
we
can
imagine except as competing for the possession
universe
which
of the
other
bit of space
same
imagined good.
nerves
follow
cannot
Shall
his
fancy
drink
man
in condition?
of
"
he
and
or
with
time
of desire
smoke,
or
both.
for Henrietta?
of his heart.
some
that
presents
of
end
other
some
do
cannot
for Amelia,
be the choice
end
exclusive
itself appears
desire.
Every
and
keep
his
Shall he
"
Shall he have
both
the
Moral
The
old
tion
in
scale of subordination
Some
practicalneed.
he
butchered, and
with which
Now
we
know
to
no
which
must
It
part.
drum,
speculativeconun-
mere
he has to deal.
blinded
are
gether
alto-
an
needs
tragic situation,and
203
"
So that
is
Life.
dear
be
Moral
and
Philosopher
the
to
real
of
difficulty
the
the others
haunt
to
of murder,
a
deaf
ear.
butcher
we
us
either
if they
or
every one
In other
back
come
applauds
words,
die and
for
us
do
and
turn
re-
accuse
us
them
turning to
environment
our
not
ages
encour-
be
us
the
fulness
have
to
of the
'
written
of
copy
so
that
as
so
soon
as
he
it read
safe
not
Bunsen
work
to
in der
attempts
best of
men
place
of
entitled
"
the
that
to
'
is said
Gott
God
'
to
in his
in
tory,"
His-
in der Geschichte.'
good
and
learned
single philosopher,
be just
sympathies, must
put
any
of the
Geschichte
howling mob
get breathing-room for
very
poet Heine
Bunsen
say
his
wide
into that
The
'
disrespect to
however
such
in the
author's
no
Baron, is it
'
Bunsen
to make
with
Now,
The
truth.
his
moral
world,
ideas of order
own
of desires, each
the
must
ideal
not
to
strugglingto
which
it clings?
only be insensible,but
204
be
with
their
effort to
clean-shaven
systems
the
substitute
for
that
content
exuberant
of
their
mass
of
is in travail,and
nature
goods with which all human
more,
groaning to bring to the lightof day. Think, furtherof such individual moralists,no longer as mere
schoolmasters,but as pontiffsarmed with the temporal
and
having authority in every concrete
power,
ered
of conflict to order which good shall be butchcase
and
which
shall be suffered
to
survive,
"
and
the
Better
chaos
forever
than
an
order
based
on
any
the
rule, even
though he were
closet-philosopher's
of his tribe. No !
most
enlightenedpossiblemember
he
if the philosopheris to keep his judicial
position,
of the partiesto the fray.
become
must
one
never
What
can
scepticismand
philosopherat all?
to fall back
being a
be asked, except
give up the notion of
now
Moral
The
do
Moral
and
Philosopher
already see
Life.
205
perfectlydefinite path
is open
which
of escape
to him
justbecause he is a
philosopher,and not the champion of one particular
Since
is demanded
ideal?
is by
everything which
the guiding principle for
that fact a good, must
not
ethical philosophy (sinceall demands
not
conjointlycanbe satisfied in this poor world) be simply to satisfy
But
not
we
at all times
the
be
must
act
as
demands
many
best
whole, in
those
ideals
at the least
as
we
That
can?
makes
accordingly,which
of awakening the least
sense
act,
the
of dissatisfactions.
sum
must
cost, or
In the casuistic
be
written
by
whose
fore,
scale, there-
highest which
realization
vail
pre-
the least
side,
of
"
triumph will
the
side
which
even
in
the
hour
of
more
of
to
some
inclusive
more
realizingyour
alien
own
that
order.
ideals which
that
some
manner
will also
the
satisfy
the path of
only is
itself
peace ! Following this path,societyhas shaken
into one
sort of relative equilibriumafter another
by a
series of social discoveries
quite analogous to those of
science.
Polyandry and polygamy and slavery,private
warfare
and
and
libertyto kill,judicialtorture
have
to actually
arbitraryroyal power
slowly succumbed
aroused
one's
complaints ; and though some
ideals are
off for each
provemen
imunquestionably the worse
of them
yet a vastlygreater total number
find shelter in our
civilized societythan in the older
demands,
"
and
Invent
206
Essays in
Popular Philosophy.
tic
So far then, and up to date, the casuissavage ways.
for the philosopher already far better
scale is made
he
than
make
ever
can
it for himself.
searching kind
An
ment
experi-
has
most
top.
yet if he be
And
true
see
philosopher he must
in any actuallygiven librium
equi-
nothing final
of human
ideals, but that, as our
present
laws and
have fought and
customs
conquered other
be overthrown
past ones, so they will in their turn
order
which
will hush
by any newly discovered
up
the complaints that they still give rise to, without
Rules
made
for
are
producing others louder still.
that there
is
"
not
man,
enough
to
Ethics.
And
the
all times
provided
upon
under
the
away
that
"
Green's
although
man
to
Prolegomena
always risks much
rules
than
whole
is
sentence
one
established
from
larger ideal
philosopher must
strives to realize
yet
rules,"
immortalize
breaks
he
when
for
man
allow
that
and
they
permit,
it is at
the experiment,
make
to
to any
one
open
character
he fear not
to stake his life and
The
throw.
every
system
pinch
of
is
moral
always
rules
are
here.
Pent
in
innumerable
it
goods which
these are
always rumbling and grumbling
; and
represses
issue by
in the background, and ready for any
which
they may get free. See the abuses which the
persons
whom
it
weighs
upon,
and
Moral
The
Life.
Moral
Philosopherand
207
institution of
that even
so
private property covers,
that one
us
to-day it is shamelessly asserted among
of the prime functions of the national
is
government
citizens to grow
rich.
See the
to help the adroiter
unnamed
and
the
whole
on
unnamable
See
unwed.
our
with
the
flourish
the
so
so-called
and
faculties and
many
in the feudal
humble
tion
marriage-institu-
drummer
saddle, for
the tyranny,
so
of
regime
beneficent, of the
so
brings to
which
sorrows
the
and
which
graces
world.
See
outcast,
how
could
kindliness
our
with
that
been
the
See
which
weeding-out
stern
of
condition
until
ites,socialists,and
civil-service
of the
all the
has
now
free-lovers ; the
lastingly
ever-
The
free-silver-
the free-traders
single-taxmen;
and
reformers; the prohibitionists
; the
anti-vivisectionists
idea
wars
every
anarchists, nihilists,and
and
it
for
radical
darwinians
with
their
of
weak,
these
and
suppression
conservative
the
sentiments
"
of
society arrayed
simply deciding through actual
much
What
about.
comes
anticipatethe
Or
outcry
more
what
can
worth, in
ideals
has
or
how
much
closet-solutions
world
its
appeasement
on
can
such
possibly
a
scale ?
theorist's judgment
superficial
where
every
one
special champion
of
hundreds
be
of
already provided
208
in the
to
question goes,
once
ethical
instead
science, and
abstract
from
far
saying that,so
science
is
as
just
the
like
of
being deducible
principles,must
simply
istic
casu-
sical
phyall at
bide
its
be
'
'
create
the
ideals
sensibilities
are
come
he
knows
evolved
he
knows
not
not
whence,
how
; and
their
the
2io
which
with
these
goods respectively
belong.
knows
that he must
vote
He
always for the richer
most
universe, for the good which seems
organizable,
into complex
fit to enter
combinations, most
most
universes
apt
be
to
of
member
inclusive
more
particularuniverse this is he
in advance
; he only knows
which
certain
mistake
bad
of the fact.
him
of
cries
the
the
whole.
But
know
cannot
that if he
makes
will
wounded
for
soon
philosopheris
justlike the rest of us non-philosophers,so far as we
far as
and
so
are
just and sympathetic instinctively,
to the voice of complaint. His function
we
are
open
from that of the best kind
is in fact indistinguishable
His books
of statesman
at the present day.
upon
ethics,therefore,so far as they trulytouch the moral
with
and
more
more
a
life,must
ally themselves
is confessedly tentative and suggesliterature which
tive
I mean
with novels and
rather than dogmatic,
dramas
of the deeper sort, with sermons,
with books
statecraft and
on
nomical
philanthropy and social and ecoinform
"
Treated
reform.
may
be
voluminous
and
ethical treatises
in this way
well ; but
their abstractest
luminous
final,except in
vaguest features; and they must
be
can
never
and
and
more
old-fashioned, clear-cut,and
the
abandon
they
as
more
would-be
The
chief
be
cannot
of all the
final is that
and
back
that
called
they have
theologicalbeliefs.
real ethical
world.
human
why
reasons
moral
They
relations
would
solitude
if the
to
wait
I said
existed
exist
ethics
concrete
even
thinker
on
physical
meta-
time
some
purely
in
in
what
had
we
various
Moral
The
took
ideals which
day
one
and
Philosopher
would
hold
make
of him
Life.
Moral
in turn.
demands
on
211
self of
His
of the demands
some
soft-hearted
so
as
to
shrink
from
sacrifice
in
their
behalf.
in
deepest difference,practically,
The
life of
and
mood
man
the
the
is the difference
strenuous
shrinkingfrom
The
makes
us
mood.
quite
greater ideal be
strenuous
between
When
present ill is
mood, on
indifferent to
attained.
in
The
the
the
our
the
moral
easy-going
easy-going
sideration.
rulingcon-
the
contrary,
if only the
present ill,
nuous
capacity for the stremood
probably lies slumbering in every man,
in some
than
in others in
but it has more
difficulty
It needs
the wilder passionsto arouse
it,
waking up.
the big fears, loves, and
indignations; or else the
of the higher
one
deeply penetratingappeal of some
like justice,
fidelities,
truth,or freedom.
Strong relief
is a necessity of its vision ; and a world where
all the
mountains
and
all the valleysare
are
brought down
212
This
congenialplace for its habitation.
this mood
thinker
is why in a solitary
might slumber
forever without
on
waking. His various ideals,known
too
to him
to be
mere
are
preferences of his own,
denominational
value : he can
nearly of the same
play fast or loose with them at will. This too is why,
world
without
in a merely human
a
God, the appeal
is
exalted
to
our
no
moral
Life, to be
power.
world
in the
falls short
energy
of its maximal
is
sure,
genuinelyethical symphony
of a couple of poor
compass
of values
infinite scale
indeed,
Sir
like
"
fails to open
ulating
stim-
in such
even
; but
it is
octaves,
played
and
the
Many of us,
up.
in those
eloquent
James Stephen
Essays by
This
is all too
mystery, and
No
mood.
may
need
agonize for
When,
that he is
"
would
finite,we
beyond.
vacuum
others
Barrister/
however,
say ; we
It lacks the note
all be
dealt
see
too
well
of infinitude
with
in the
the
and
don't-care
we
of the
believe
that
claimants,the
God
is
infinite
there, and
perspective
The scale of the symphony is incalculably
out.
opens
more
begin
imperative ideals now
prolonged. The
to speak with an
nifican
altogethernew
objectivityand sigthe penetrating,shattering,
and
utter
to
one
The
Moral
Philosopherand
Life.
Moral
213
tragically
challengingnote of appeal. They ring out
like the call of Victor Hugo's alpineeagle, qui parle
nuous
au
precipiceet que le gouffreentend," and the stre"
awakens
mood
the
at
sound.
the
thunder
the
It saith
battle
among
afar off,
of the
contrast
the ethics
between
obligationfrom
and
the
The
satisfaction
down
of
on
of
capacity of
of infinite and
the
prudence
lies
mood
strenuous
rious
myste-
so
deep
natural human
that even
possibilities
no
metaphysical or traditional grounds
for believingin a God, men
would
ply
postulateone simas
a pretext for living
hard, and gettingout of the
of existence
of zest.
its keenest
possibilities
game
evils is entirelydifferent
Our attitude towards
concrete
our
among
if there were
in
world
where
finite demanders,
believe
we
what
from
there
it is in
are
none
where
one
but
we
sake.
joyouslyface tragedy for an infinite demander's
and
Every sort of energy and endurance, of courage
capacity for handling life's evils,is set free in those
who
have
the strenuous
religiousfaith. For this reason
type of character
historyalways
will drive
It would
"
will
the
outwear
to
irreligion
seem,
too,
"
on
easy-going type,
gion
reli-
the wall.
and
and
and
this is my
sion,
final conclu-
systematic moral
universe
214
for which
in
only
the ethical
world
philosopherasks
where
there
is
is
fullypossible
thinker
divine
with
thinker
If such
a
existed,
all-envelopingdemands.
his way
of subordinating the demands
another
to one
would
valid casuistic scale ; his claims
be the finally
would
be the most
appealing ; his ideal universe would
be
the
inclusive
most
exist,then
in his
actualized
which
our
of
the interests
must
own
seek
we
be
the
as
tern
pat-
approach.1 In
of systematically
unified
would-be
philosophers,
evermore
truth,therefore, we,
moral
now
ideal
own
our
If he
whole.
philosophy which
ethical
that
realizable
as
hidden
from
that
so
in
the
us
in all men,
it does
The
philosophy.
he
ventures
best, is
on
good,
to
comes
and
and
us,
but
to
which
say
death
of my
set
level from
our
choice
mon
com-
day
life
if we
and
use
and
sonal
per-
invoke
any
of that alsj
pacity
personal aptitude or incathis unsparing practical
lectures
professor's
and
no
great freshness
Josiah Royce
this
total character
trial; and
life. From
colleague,Professor
thee
before
the
is the
"
our
of action
course
and
of
revelations
no
interest in
no
ever
therefore,whenphilosopher,
for moral
ordeal
have
to
this is what
But
who
only
serves
ethical
after all
mood.
those
even
of his existence
sure
him
strenuous
See, I have
"
that thou
we
different
essentially
no
man.
and
were
postulationof
our
let loose
even
us
"
and
The
array
of books
force
in the work
ReligiousAspect
of
Moral
The
the
The
us.
save
can
unlearned
dumb
solving
alike,
man
willingnesses
is
nigh
unto
thou
mayest
it
beyond
thee,
do
in
it.
the
thy
in
the
the
else.
sea;
mouth
It
but
the
and
in
and
in
resort
of
is
215
learned
last
unwillingnesses
nowhere
and
characters,
neither
and
for
word,
lies
Life.
Moral
and
Philosopher
not
word
thy
their
in
the
rior
inte-
heaven,
is
heart,
very-
that
Essays in PopularPhilosophy.
2i6
AND
MEN
GREAT
THEIR
REMARKABLE
A
social
which
parallel,
evolution
evolution
as
think
has
been
never
ENVIRONMENT.1
expounded by
Mr.
Darwin
the other.
on
Not
of the remote
falls to
sparrow
of the
the
entire
ground
of his fall
conditions
thing,however
one
are
to
but
be
verse.
unisome
found
in
in the
facts
of
would
so
is.
One
our
ancestry, and
barbarian
far be
different
universe
from
in the difference
fact involved
the
the
the
universe
what
might
it
be
now
that
lecture
before
be
the
very
Harvard
foolish
Natural
Monthly, October,
1880.
for
any
one
who
2i
his
disciples. Our
years ago?
I shall reply to
this
the accumulated
to
problem,
influences
The
of
difference
is due
individuals,of their
and
The
their decisions.
examples, their initiatives,
Spencerian school replies,The changes are irrespective
of persons,
and independent of individual control.
due
the environment, to the circumstances,
to
They are
the physicalgeography, the ancestral conditions,
the increasing experience of outer
relations;
and the Bisto everything,in fact,except the Grants
marcks, the Joneses and the Smiths.
that
I say
the same
Now,
death
these
theorizers
drops
the real
which
from
available
free-will
us
where
myself,I
should
with
to
causes
Their
it lies.
cisely
pre-
ascribe
the
thirteen,or
the
Like
way.
attainable.
see
milky
possible human
no
or
Let
one.
he who
fallacyas
guiltyof
are
to
the
snatch
snatch
at
at
dog
its
others,
sion,
that belief in this discus-
will waive
tination
Spencerians the predesof all human
actions.
On that assumption I
the intelligence
investigating
gladly allow that were
and omthe man's
the sparrow'sdeath omniscient
nipresent,
or
and
assume
with
the
single glance,there
objectionto the milky way
at
would
or
not
of time
be
and
the
space
slightest
being in-
Men
Great
their Environment.
and
219
the
divine
Such
a
sought-forcauses.
would
see
instantaneouslyall the infinite
intelligence
lines of convergence
towards
a
given result, and it
it would
the
see
would, moreover,
:
see
impartially
fatal feast to be as much
of the sparrow's
a condition
of the man's ; it would
death
the boy with the
as
see
voked
among
to
stone
be
much
as
condition
of the man's
fall
as
of the
sparrow's.
human
The
an
mind, however, is constituted on
versal
entirelydifferent plan. It has no such power of uniintuition.
Its finiteness obliges it to see
but
If it wishes
three things at a time.
two
to take
or
it has to use
wider
general ideas,'as they are
sweeps
truths.
called, and in so doing to drop all concrete
'
Thus, in the
present
between
the connection
and
we
the dinner
do
can
We
must
and
of what
say,
as
milky
the sparrow
is called
an
propositionwe
links ; and
in all
law.
have
wish
men
and
way
to
the
on
abstract
are
feel
the
the man's
and
system of natural
of this vast
facts and
the
we
All
and
of
if
back
only by falling
so
emptiness
case,
boy
death,
enormous
proposition.
fatallypredetermine
adamantine
ity
fix-
in the vagueness
lost all the concrete
But
the concrete
practicalmatters
links are
the only things of importance. The
human
mind
is essentially
partial. It can be efficient
at all only by picking out what
to attend
to, and ignoring
everything else, by narrowing its point of view.
little strength it has is dispersed,
Otherwise, what
and
it loses its way
altogether. Man
always wants
his curiositygratified
for a particularpurpose.
If,in
the case
of the sparrow,
the purpose
is punishment, it
be idiotic to wander
would
off from
the cats, boys,
and other possibleagencies close by in the street, to
"
yio
early Celts
the
survey
would
meanwhile
unfortunate
man,
the
on
step and
fellow,who
poor
it in coming
on
head
it with
never
to
in
and
mystery,
cover
the
the
way:
the
in
if,
case
dined
out
door,
and
boy
of the
contemplation
fail to
ashes,
in his
notice
the
other
some
life,may
fall and
slip
break
his
too.
It is,then,
limit
to
necessitylaid
of
ignoring
of
lying outside
certain
differential calculus.
all the
upon
us
as
In mathematics
view.
our
method
this
the
milky
And
escape.
lose ourselves
we
of the thirteen-at-table
ice
the
and
infinitesimals
'
and
we
human
ings
be-
know
how
neglecting quantities
has been
adopted in
range
The
calculator
throws
out
of the
dering.
quantities he is consiHe
them
treats
(under certain rules)as if
they did not exist. In themselves they exist perfectly
if they did not exist for
all the while ; but they are
as
of his calculation.
the purposes
mer,
Just so an astronoof the ocean,
in dealingwith the tidal movements
Vs. takes no account
made
of the waves
by the wind, or by
which
of all the steamers
the pressure
day and night
of tons upon
its surface.
are
moving their thousands
Just so the marksman, in sighting his rifle,allows for
'
the motion
of
motion
earth
the
and
for the
equally real
Just so a
system.
not
solar
punctualitymay overlook
five minutes, while a physicist,
measuring
of a
each thousandth
of light,must
count
man's
business
There
nature
error
the
of
velocity
second.
short,differentcycles of operationin
different departments, so to speak, relatively
are,
an
in
independent of
one
in
any
moment
any
condition
The
mould
on
of
one
another,
may
things at
the biscuit
so
be
the
that what
compatible
same
time
in the store-room
on
goes
with
almost
in the
of
at
next.
man-
Great
Men
their Environment.
and
vegetates in absolute
of-war
of
the
flag,the
the
weather, and
board
; and
abstraction
indifference
of
direction
human
that
dramas
mycologist
from
all these
the
voyage,
may
go
on
on
it in
study
may
ality
the nation-
to
the
221
complete
Only by so
largerdetails.
'
his mind.
The
cycles
take
the
pointsof
whole
universe
view
it is lawful
necessary
irrelevant to
And
we
from
this
look
the
with
connected
are
wisdom
and
operate in these
which
causes
at
"
one
bringsus
animal
an
into
able
to
them
disconnected
to
nearer
or
human
between
specialtopic. If
being,distinguished
possession of some
our
the
or
bad,
causes
we
shall
which
be
nally
origi-
the
as
another.
of his kind
discriminate
all lesser
it is for human
more,
by the
good
extraordinary peculiarity,
rest
only if we
For
account.
regard
to
another
one
nay,
"
ble
incommensura-
222
he confined
agreed to ignore altogether,1
of preservation,
and under
to the causes
natural
selection
as
selection
of
doctrine
the
be
to
studied
of
names
them
clusively
ex-
descent
the blunder
they all committed
into one.
cycles of causation
animal with his peculiarity,
if
saw
the
of the
functions
Pre-Darwinian
the
sexual
and
his attention
modification
of
an
preserves
useful one,
of the environment
to which
nature
it be
but
the two
clumping
What
they
the
pressure,
very
harmony with
given of the way in
into
The
the
stimulates
combustion, and
so
Now
these
many
forth.
examples might
more
Darwin's
variation.
of
gemmules
talks of the
he
strong,
cold
arctic
adhesions
talks of the
Dh'ide
et
more
relations
impera t
But
invokes
than
it
an
be
the
are
to account
own
environment
animal
and
changes,
adduced,
attempt
he invokes
of the whole
air
cunning
occupies its
the
were
eyes.
the
bird
our
shy,
of which
1
which
mountain
chased
wax
palm
animal
as
exercise
distends
the
much
these
to the
separate
when
he
adhesions
ment
environ-
Great
at
Men
and
their Environment.
223
of
by the specialname
present distinguished
changes.
feature
Their
in the environment
which
to
that
that
peculiarityis
the
tive
adap-
animal's
very
ture
na-
'
Darwin's
first achievement
to
was
the
show
utter
in amount
of these changes produced
insignificance
of
by direct adaptation,the immensely greater mass
dents,
accichanges being produced by internal molecular
of which
know
ment
we
nothing. His next achieveto define the true
was
we
problem with which
have to deal when
we
study the effects of the visible
the animal.
That
environment
on
problem is simply
this : Is the environment
more
likelyto preserve or to
of this or
that peculiarity
destroyhimy on account
he may
In giving the name
with which
be born?
'of
with which
accidental variations
to those peculiarities
animal
is born, Darwin
does
for a moment
not
an
the fixed outcome
to suggest that they are
not
mean
'
of natural
taken
law.
into account,
the
of these
causes
which
in
way,
that, since
environment
variations
preserves
remote
some
hang together.
that
of the universe
What
is
Darwin
be
and
destroys
or
and
means
about
round-
is,
perfectly known
thing,and its relations to the organism in the way of
destruction
or
preservationare tangibleand distinct,
it would
utterlyconfuse our finite understandings and
frustrate our
hopes of science to mix in with it facts
from such a disparateand
incommensurable
cycle as
the variations
that in which
are
produced. This last
before the animal
is born.
cycle is that of occurrences
It is the cycle of influences upon
and embryos ;
ova
a
Essays in PopularPhilosophy.
224
lie the
that
causes
tilt them
strength
towards
are
the
there?
causes
and
ble,
invisiplace, they are molecular
of
therefore,to direct observation
inaccessible,
kind.
Secondly, their operationsare compatible
any
and
with
of
social,political,
physical conditions
any
The
environment.
same
parents, livingin the same
birth produce a
at one
environing conditions, may
ble
visiThe
genius,at the next an idiot or a monster.
In
first
the
"
conditions
external
of this
the
matter,
other
each
by
effects
Gulf
which
of
and
forces
such
there
are
consider
we
to
believe
made
to
the
of
two
differ from
Pacific Ocean
toward
flow.
severally
distinction between
that
the
mate
disproportionateto their ultifamous
pebble on the Rocky
to the
separates two rain-drops,
and
St. Lawrence
great mechanical
The
on
is the
them
more
are
minants
direct deter-
not
as
causes
it makes
the
parents
same
as
therefore
forced
are
we
crest, which
Mountain
and
cycle ;
more
of the
children
are
detent, which
transitive
illustrated
all
causes
operate by simply
energy
226
given, How
how do they
that
the
the
does
the
affect
of
relation
environment
data
as
being
them, and
Now, I affirm
visible
environment
to
the
is in the
him,
affect
environment?
the
For
man
all recollect
We
their
in
of
effects
have
we
of
about
the
most
canker-worms,
English
Just
birds.
the
so
great
large
or
the
Zealand, and
whether
man,
like Clive
in
the
native
most
away
he
India
be
or
portatio
im-
an
Agassiz
rearrangement,
on
pre-existingsocial
scale, of the
small
of
"
spring from
Franklin, brings about
or
read
he
whether
or
ment
state-
of clover
growth
in New
drives
or
without
from
here,
sparrow
famous
all have
rabbit
taken
us
the
on
We
neighborhood.
the European
many
Darwin's
Mr.
of cats
influence
of the
main
'
relations.
that it remodels
It is true
influence, and
between
the
of the
relation
social
case
that
and
him, also, to
this constitutes
the
to
it
zoologicalcase.
degree,by
some
more
incidentally.
considerable
I
cative
its edu-
difference
important.
At
the end
Men
Great
in the
generation,are
to
main
generation
rectly
directlyor indi-
due
the
the
227
of societies,then, from
mutations
The
their Environment
and
in another
acts
or
direction.
this power
of individual initiative exemplified
small
scale all about
on
a
on
a
large
us, and
of the leaders of history. It is only
scale in the case
We
see
followingthe
method
of
Lyell, a
Darwin, and a Whitney to interpretthe unknown
by
reckon
and
the known,
cumulatively the only
up
of social change we
causes
can
directly observe.
Societies of men
are
just like individuals,in that both
offer ambiguous potentialities
at any
given moment
of development. Whether
ness
busienters
a young
man
the ministry may
or
depend on a decision which
has to be made
before a certain day. He
takes the
place offered in the counting-house,and is committed.
Little by little,the habits, the knowledges, of the
other
which
be
once
to
lay so near, cease
career,
reckoned
his possibilities.
At
he
even
first,
among
may
common-sense
in that decisive
of the two
hour
; but
dream.
into
It is
be committed
no
might
with
expire, and
vivid, fades
whether
doubt
sometimes
the
not
the years
the
old
otherwise
and
self he murdered
have
such
been
less
with
the
ego,
once
substantial
nations.
ministers
better
selves
questions them-
alternative
something
than
They
to peace
by kings
by generals to victoryor defeat,by prophets
so
or
to
may
war,
this
228
religionor
to
in art,
cation
industry. A war is a true point of bifurof future possibilities.
Whether
it fail or succeed,
its declaration must
be the starting-point
of newpolicies. Just so does a revolution,or any great civic
a deflecting
influence,whose operaprecedent,become
tions
science,
or
with
widen
obey their
ideal,as an
the
of time.
course
ideals ; and
accidental
an
Communities
fixes
success
failure
accidental
blightsit.
to-day the
imperial
certain boy named
Bob
'
England have
which
she now
has, if a
had shot himself,as he tried to do, at Madras
?
raft she is now
in European
she be the drifting
Would
if
'
the
Frederic
instead
of
Cobden,
and
Bright
England
has,
no
intrinsic value
ever
inherited
if Messrs.
all been
had
her
in
the
to
relatively
is
no
other
such
throne
Mill,
Prussia?
nations
fine
Clive
affairs
Bentham,
born
ideal
Would
There
had.
human
had
Great
Victoria, and
an
same
that she
accumulation
of
material
has
material
has found
it.
Leaders
Would
Eng*
she!
at once,
as
crying forward and backward
I would/
does
lettingI will not wait upon
now,
if her ideal had
but not to fight,
wishing to conquer
of statesbeen fixed by a succession
in all these years
men
of supremely commanding
personality,
working
She would
have;
direction?
in one
Certainly not.
either one
or
course
espoused, for better or worse,
land
be
'
another.
Had
would
as
stillbe
race
herbivora, and
1
The
Bismarck
of
to
reader
in his
died
satisfied with
mans
cradle, the Ger-
appearing
spectacled Gelehrten
the
French
will remember
as
when
ces
and
bons" or
this
was
to
selves
them-
political
ces
written.
naifs%
Great
Men
their Environment.
and
will showed
Bismarck's
Allemands.
The
livelier game.
Germany
have
may
will
"
The
marks
that
at
as,
could
do away, I ween,
hath
of that which
once
never
been
any
of
rate,
factor
one
"
"
i860
influence
social
constitute
their
to
"
fermentative
admitted
they
initiative,
namely, from
of Bismarck's
The
them,
play a far
be
will not
lesson
forgotten.
vicissitudes,but they
many
own
229
geniuses
be
must
in the
changes
community
The
evolution.
1873.
to
The
accidental
evolve
in many
ways.
presence
may
it shall
of this or that ferment
decides
in which
way
the
very
mino, have
the
evolve.
Why,
the
power
it of themselves
develop
never
there
teac"
to
birds
^Viem.
ttc*^h
with
So
the
of
forest,the
parrot,
speech, but
of human
;
some
must
one
individuals.
us
be
brandt
Rem-
"
egg-
All
the seed."
as
may
can
But
the community,
whole?
to
us
if this be
how
of the
certain
take
got
in
can
If shown
true
now,
never
way,
find
community
it.
And
the
indeterminate
in advance.
large extent
A
nation
alternative impulses
obey either of many
may
of genius,and still live
given by different men
and be prosperous,
either of
enter
just as a man
may
businesses. Only, the prosperities
differ in
many
may
ways
are
to
their type.
is not
absolute.
Not
every
'
in
Essays
230
'
'
fits every
man
are.
too
late.
Peter
the
asylum.
have
rifles ;
lived
and,
Spencer
to
tribe which
to
or
come
may
Hermit
their
Mill
turn
the
in
in the
sent
tenth
unknown.
to
century
Cromwell
and
his civil
war.
of
telescopic-sighted
instance
which
an
differently
could
day
Watt
have
precursivegenius
no
be
now
revolutions, Grant
fame
what
there
incompatibilities
either too
early or
would
died
and
express
uses,
Some
John
Napoleon need
An Ajax gets no
iron
hour.'
given genius
lunatic
would
Popular Philosophy.
had
effected
taught to
in
smelt
lathe?
the
After
IX.
Voltaire,
Louis
and
France
XIV.,
after
success
is
makes
little
transient;
after
; and
headway
after
Hermit;
Charles
of
general protestantization
no
Manchester
off certain
cuts
the
Peter
no
sides of the
school,
a
so
Beaconsfield's
Castelar
Philip II., a
Each
on.
field
bifurcation
and
altogether,
limits
A community
possible angles of deflection.
which
I can
do no
is a livingthing,and in words
Professor
better than quote from
Clifford,1 it is the
peculiarityof living things not merely that they
stances,
change under the influence of surrounding circumtakes
but that any
place in
change which
the
future
"
them
the
is
not
organism
actions.
of
lost but
tree
afterwards
to
retained, and
serve
If you
cause
it
and make
to
make
1
as
any
the
as
it
foundation
distortion
crooked, whatever
the tree
Lectures
and
straightthe
Essays,i. 82.
built into
were
in
for
the
you
mark
future
growth
may
do
of your
Men
Great
No
cool.
.
or
Any
into
in the
even
who
one
its trunk
itself
existence, but
Every
deflects
by
oak
tell by the
can
frozen
has
winter
times
many
the
in logic
geoof
hand
summer
it
has
tain
conown
painter can
his picture
lines follow
cooled
and
it into life.
within
how
and
an
times
many
last year
down
cuts
how
widowhood,
warmed
melted
been
it has
often
ages,
rings in
one
how
man.
take
that you
gold
absolutelyindelible ; it has
ever,
tree's nature.
Suppose, howof gold, melt it,and let it
a lump
tell by examining a piece of
can
part of the
231
is there ; it is
distortion
become
their Environment.
and
tell
in
on
each
how
certain
built
be
must
us
added
Whatever
sense.
those
line
starts
to rewrite
a
Every author who
piece of work
knows
how
to
use
impossible it becomes
any of the
first-written
beginning has
again. The new
pages
the
already excluded
possibilityof those earlier
phrases and transitions, while it has at the same
time
created
of
indefinite
the possibilityof an
set
of which, however, is completely
new
one
no
ones,
determined
in advance.
ings
Just so the social surround-
of
the
and
past
present
hour
exclude
the
from
possibilityof accepting certain contributions
individuals ; but they do not
positivelydefine what
contributions
shall be
accepted, for in themselves
of the
the nature
they are
powerless to fix what
individual
offeringsshall be.1
1
Mr.
Grant
Allen
quote, admits
himself, in
article from
which
I shall
ently
pres-
of
that
an
Hamburg,
set
never
of
become
negroes
if
transplantedto
232
Thus
social evolution
is
resultant
of two
of the
action
inter-
"
world
'
has
We
the climate.
kept
history and
has been
'
of
like
all
with
synonymous
the controversy
too, how
know,
up between
those who
'
necessary
almost
be
to
come
partisansof
the
deny
'
laws
the
'
existence
where
human
science
of thing
anysocieties
are
Mr.
'
'
his
the
few
"
"The
may
be
genesis
of societies
comfortablybelieved
by
so
the
long
action
as,
of great
men
restingin general
234
which
Suppose I say that the singular moderation
and
cussion
now
distinguishessocial, political,
religiousdisin England, and
contrasts
so
strongly with
the bigotry and
dogmatism of sixty years ago, is
largelydue to J. S. Mill's example. I may possibly
be
1
the
about
wrong
facts; but
for
at
rate,
any
restingin general
am,
and
not
particulars,'
And
if Mr.
notions.'
it
Spencer should tell me
started from no personal influence whatever, but from
the
Mill
generations,'
aggregate of conditions,' the
all his contemporaries
and
descended
from,' the
whole
in short, surely he, not I,
past order of nature
satisfied with vagueness.'
be the person
would
The
fact is that Mr. Spencer's sociologicalmethod
asking
'
'
'
'
'
is identical
zodiac
to
thirteen
It
at
of
who
one
would
account
table
of little
is
that
with
to
explain
scientific
more
the
invoke
death.
gentleman's
than
the
and
sparrow,
value
the
the
Oriental
of
replying to whatever
question arises by the
is great." Not
fall
to
unimpeachable truism, God
the gods, where
back
a proximate
on
principlemay
be found, has with us Westerners
long since become
ficient
the sign of an efficient as distinguishedfrom an inefmethod
"
intellect.
To
found
that
believe
in its antecedents
postulate,not
science.
by
thousand
have
the
If she
the
same
years
followed
is
cause
of
is the
the
everything is to
the
starting-point,
goal and
simply to lead
hole
we
ago, it seems
her
through
went
itial
in-
of
consummation,
us
out
of the
by three
hardly worth
the
be
in
darkness
at
rinth
laby-
or
four
while
all.
to
Ii
Great
Men
their Environment.
and
social, political,
geographical,and
the
235
to
great
have
anthropologicalconditions
just as
of the
and justas little to do as the condition
has to do with the flickering
of this
of Vesuvius
much
extent
which
holds
Spencer
so
of
26th
the
with
cause
of
stream
aforesaid
W.
have
needs
the
restore
stream
you
it be
Can
of
outside
certain
mother
form
he
does
to
boat
into
ooze
to
mean
had
certain
say
particular
if the
that
of cholera
died
will
tum,
infan-
Stratford-upon-Avon would
engendered a duplicate copy of him, to
sociologicequilibrium, justas the same
at
"
of water
will reappear,
how
often
matter
no
the leak, so
side
over
long as the outpass a sponge
level remains
Or might the tute
substiunchanged?
arise
at
'
'
Stratford-atte-Bowe
it is very
hard, in the midst
he does mean
to tell what
vagueness,
Here,
of Mr.
leaves
who
us
in
no
doubt
as
where,
else-
Spencer's
at all.
Mr.
have, however, in his disciple,
We
one
gas by
that Mr.
sociologicalpressures
impinged on Stratford-upon-Avon
April, 1564, that a W. Shakespeare,
had to be born there,
peculiarities,
Shakespeare
another
him.
convergence
And
leak?
make
of water
the pressure
as
"
the
have
to
about
what
write,are
crater
whatever
Grant
Allen,
of his
precise
This
liant
widely informed, suggestive,and brilwriter published last year a couple of articles in
the Gentleman's
that
Magazine, in which he maintained
individuals
have
initiative in determining social
no
change.
meaning.
"The
whether
differences
in
between
intellect,
commerce,
one
nation
art, morals, or
and
another,
perament,
general tem-
ultimatelydepend, not
mysterious
any
upon
and
or
propertiesof race, nationality,
any other unknown
but simply and solelyupon
the
unintelligible
abstractions,
2^6
physicalcircumstances
be
fact,as
know
we
which
to
they
it to
If it
exposed.
are
French
nation
fers
dif-
recognizablyfrom
Timbuctoo,
gone
to
from
the
would
they
semi-barbarian
metropolis; 1
African
the
now
be
who
inhabit
negroes
and
indistinguishable
that
central
if the
buctoo
people who went to Timhad
have been
to Hamburg,
they would now
gone
white-skinned
merchants
tation
driving a roaring trade in imiting
differentiaThe
sherry and indigestible
port.
.
be
must
agency
geographicalfeatures
necessarilyand
of
land
the
upon
surrounding circumstances
direction.
active
causation.]To
of
mind
the
of
is
There
No
not
factor
difference
of
the
Even
two
identical
with
2
each
is to
suppose
universal
law
is
races
of
ancestors
as, if set
as
the
Nation
nothing
two
be
in identical
in
to
environments,
at
factor.
geographical
The
of ultimate
cause
though
the
could
race
The
difference
even
races,
invisible
divergence
with
the
ation.
caus-
selves
them-
must
brothers
as
to
of
ancestral
Timbuctoo
might
homogeneous
Making,'
the
that
impulse, in
inclinations
bodily
before
and
Article
Only
effect in such
spontaneous
and
tastes
Hamburg
of the most
couples
identical
the
caprice,no
no
so
from
utterlyvanishes
between
divergence of
two
otherwise
even
ries
histo-
regard
cannot
any
be
and
sentences
suppose
endeavors.
human
We
have
can
is exempt
man
dogmaticallydeny the
independent physiological
relatively
cycle
[These two
of the
existence
have
these
itself.
agent in differentiating
the
a
the characters
.
nation
an
permament
great
sea
earth.
any
as
and
moulded
inevitably
of every nation
the
in
sought
of
as
tution
constiin twin
naked
No
eye.
possiblybe found
to
give
the start
rise to two
grows
broader
entirelydissimilar breeds.
Gentleman's
Magazine, 1878.
Men
Great
Elsewhere
says
their Environment.
and
237
Mr.
culture,
"
"
the
was
undifferentiated
To me
Aryan brain.
propositionthat nothingwhatsoever
it
seems
...
evident
body
one
of
from
men
in which
the
in which
they
stand
causation.
imagine that
outcry
being undone,
kind
of
is
it
the mind
the
law
moment
causation
place and
under
time
differentiate itself
can
differentiated without
the
about
course,
be
can
ditions
physicalcon-
of
including,
"
the relations of
imagine that
To
This
the
with
otherwise
suppose
is to
set,
physicalconditions
term
To
they are
self-
differentiate
can
the
another, except
the
of
refuse
we
which
universal
is
cause."
causation
invest
to
in
by
peddled round
impatient. These
one
particularschool, makes
have
writers
no
imagination of alternatives. With
them
outward
ronment
envithere is no
tertium quid between
and
Aut
miracle.
Ccesary aut nullus! Aut
Spencerism,aut catechism !
If by
Mr. Allen means
what
physical conditions
he
the outward
does
cycle of visible nature
mean,
his assertion is simply physiologically
and man,
false.
a
'
'
For
national
is born
genius
the
means
his
invisible
*
in
differentiates
its midst
molecular
by
cycle.
by physical conditions
assertion,though true, forms
quote from
December,
1
and
mind
Article
Popular
'
'
itself
whenever
acting
causes
But
the whole
if Mr.
of
in
Allen
nature,
Asiatic
'
Science
238
belief in
profession of
certainly need
advanced
to
how
scientific character.
can
thinker
so
clever
between
distinguishedin these matters
conditions
of
and
conditions
sufficient
French
The
break
must
our
necessary
sufficient
that to
say
have
condition?
Does
an
they
are
afforded
a
given
omelet
we
are
necessary
mind.
that such
ical
geograph-
condition.
condition, why
sufficient
ever
when-
appear
of the Greek
broken?
So
eggs are
To get such versatile intelligence
be
it may
commercial
dealingswith the world as the
Hellas
sary
neces-
omelet
an
fail
three
if
Allen
Mr.
as
have
result?
is
not
or
And
fate,which
all-enveloping
plume itself on
specially
any
an
did
But
not
the
Phoenicians
in its denizens
such
region
peacefulness of the
a
far
; but
shall
unite
Eskimo
Norseman
is,so
accident.
Evolutionists
as
whether
or
the
with
the
climate
should
not
the
inhabitants
their
thrift the
pugnacity
of the
is concerned,
forget that
an
we
four or
six would
fingers not because
the first vertenot
do just as well,but merely because
brate
the fishes happened to have that number.
above
his prodigious success
in founding a line of
He owed
know
descent
to some
entirelyother quality, we
all have
five
"
which,
not
"
their Environment.
and
Men
Great
but
inessential
the
239
five
fingers were
present day. So
preserved to the
shall be
of them
Which
of most
social peculiarities.
the environment
which
taken in tow
by the few qualities
is a matter
of what
necessarilyexacts
logical
physioaccidents
shall happen among
individuals.
his thesis in detail by
Mr. Allen promises to prove
I
the examples of China, India, England, Rome,
etc.
hesitation in predictingthat he
have not the smallest
will do no
he has
with these examples than
more
taken
in tow
done
with
and
He
Hellas.
after the
fact, and
harmonies
between
will appear
show
that the
the
upon
scene
qualitydeveloped
by each race was, naturallyenough, not incompatible
with its habitat.
But he will utterlyfail to show
that
fallen into in each
the particularform of compatibility
the one
and only possibleform.
case
was
necessary
Naturalists know
well enough how indeterminate
the
animal
An
may
fauna
better
either
and
his
of many
ways,
subterranean
; small and
its environment
chances
are.
of existence
in
growing aquatic,arboreal, or
and bulky ;
swift,or massive
"
timid
or
spiny, horny, slimy, or venomous
; more
fertile of
more
pugnacious ; more
cunning or more
in
solitary
gregarious or more
offspring; more
; or
other
besides,
ways
suit him
to
of Mr.
Readers
the
vast
and
any
one
widely different
A.
R. Wallace
strikingillustrations
:
"
many
"
of these
ways
may
environments.
will well
of this in his
remember
Malay
pelago
Archi-
"
closelyresembles
Borneo
size and
its freedom
New
from
Guinea
not
volcanoes,but
only in
its
in its variety
of
Moluccas
are
the
Essays in PopularPhilosophy.
240
in
volcanic
their
structure, their
forests, and
luxuriant
their
of
after the
arid
by
the
that
as
differences
does
Nowhere
different countries
differences
or
of
climate
almost
of Timor.
Yet
are
there
oceans,
we
due
ancient
to
similarities in the
tween
be-
the
same
exists the
their animal
compare
the
as
islands,constructed,
in the various
similarities
or
same
when
greatest possiblecontrast
productions.
pattern, subjectedto
same
bathed
climate,and
inhabit
Java, has
correspondinggroups
it were,
as
their
fertility,
frequent earthquakes; and
extreme
doctrine
forms
that
of life that
cal
correspondingphysicountries
themselves,
Borneo
palpablea contradiction.
distinct counand New
two
as
tries
Guinea, as alike physically
can
be, are zoologicallywide as the poles asunder;
with its dry winds, its open plains,
its stony
while Australia,
deserts,and its temperate climate,yet produces birds and
quadrupeds which are closelyrelated to those inhabiting
forests which
the hot, damp, luxuriant
everywhere clothe
meet
the
with
direct
so
plainsand
and
mountains
of New
Guinea."
similar
ments
physical-geography environharmonizing with widely differinganimal lives,
animal
lives harmonizing with
and
similar
widely
A
singularly
differinggeographical environments.
accomplished writer, E. Gryzanowski, in the North
American
Review,1 uses the instances of Sardinia and
Here
have
we
Corsica
in
He
says
support
of
great effect
"
of the
islands,lying in the very centre
Mediterranean, at almost equal distances from the centres
within easy reach of
Neo-Latin
and
of Latin
civilization,
"These
the
sister
Phoenician,the Greek,
1
Vol.
cxiii. p.
and
the
Saracen, with
318 (October,1871).
coast-
242
born
there
seem
to
with
patriotism and
abilityenough to
their countrymen
inflame
with
national
tion,
pride,ambiand
thirst for independent life. Corsicans
and
Sardinians
are
probably as good stuff as any of their
neighbors. But the best wood-pile will not blaze
the appropriate torches
till a torch is applied,and
have
wanting.1
been
come
everywhere.
Sporadic great men
community to get vibrating through and
that
Mr.
well
am
that
be
to
seem
that
for
through
(though in nothing
of
crossing
heavily shotted bows
laborious
investigationsinto the heredityof
aware
precedes) I
in much
But
follows
the
suppositionsI
assembling around
being
go
make
of
"
great
men
fortuitously
fortuitouslyabsent
from
to
on
from
I hardly
etc.) to be radicallyvicious.
think, however, that he does justiceto the great complexity of the
conditions
the physioof effective
logical
greatness, and to the way in which
be masked
of production may
entirely during long
averages
either
the
accidental
of
periods,
by
mortality geniuses in infancy,or
by the fact that the particulargeniuses born happened not to find
tasks.
Boston
I doubt
murder,
now,
the truth
'will out.'
"
of his assertion
It is true
Voltaire, Shelley,Carlyle,can
and
that
be
types
conceived
take
Mr.
are
genius, like
irrepressible.
leading
Galton
dumb
himself, take
Mr.
Darwin,
and
certain
hardly
But
that intellectual
take
Mr.
Men
Great
and
their Environment.
243
"
such
cooling
no
of
mass
high tides
hear
geniuses
should
But
and
fast that
so
intervals.
Then
the
inertia
thei7
after
long
have
movement
may
passed
of human
filled with
blow
incandescent, and
grows
pure
its internal
often
We
be
the
glow by
originatorsof
should
in
nation
to
away.
follow
must
occur
can
the
continue
these
Blow
mystery.
stronger life,but
that individual
exceptionally abundant.
This mystery
is just about
ored
as
deep as the time-honconundrum
to why great rivers flow by great
as
that
It is true
towns.
great public fermentations
awaken
and
in more
adopt many
geniuses, who
have
had
chance
to work.
no
torpid times would
over
seem
above
fermentation
the
this there
be
must
of
concourse
the
so
genius about a
begin at all. The
concourse
an
time,
the
tional
excepmake
to
unlikeliness
of
unlikeliness
of
any
wear.
hit
necessarilyhave
tons,
and
other
upon
case
similar
seems
Grants, who
of
apart from these causes
transcendent
think
that where
But
anyhow
any
scheme
just
might
be
and
firing,
be
more
so
are
of
averages.
the two
as
fired
the
small
that
That
or
great
simply
geniuses
are
their
balls
near
nearest
themselves
of the
their
to
occasions.
concerned
will
the
not
the
would
target
on
and
the
to
bers
num-
fit into
might appear
longer epochs
balls
Washing-
stronglydisposed
appearance
three
or
is, two
and
made
that
rose
am
three
geniuses
to
I
fallacy,
consecutively. Take
spread out.
and
hobbies,
gether,
to-
centre
more
whole
244
It is
as
of
folly,then, to speak of
something inevitable,which
laws
consequences
nothing to alter
do
of
science
whose
discover, and
foretell but
the Maws
has
one
any
of
deal
"
And
it.
the
so
will
fire be kindled
the
utmost
with
water
"
beneath
the
Why,
then
can
avert.
or
history*
only to
student
of
would
than
be
can
ever
subordination
to
federation,because
historian could
no
fortune
rather
state
paramount
have
which
culated
cal-
gave
at
There
say.
an
be
can
would
movement
with
such
moment
make
doubt
no
that
progress
leader
than
more
adequate personal
the
in
one
now
as
reform
year
in ten
we,
one.
Were
his environment,
gladlypreserve
and
there
who
sigh
adopt him
for
him
if he came,
and
can
would
so
neither
Men
Great
him,
without
move
their Environment.
and
yet do anything
nor
245
bring him
to
forth.1
conclude
To
the
it denies
when
is,then,
a
an
from
lapse
hypothesiswith
it
effective.
be
of
the
Even
He
retards
momentum,
adversaries'
speed
lateral pressure,
which,
now
function
what
pletely
com-
started)
we
the
shown
and
justified
deflects
movement;
he extracts
to be
at
gives it a
last at
heads
never
sure,
a
it would
allowed
the
on
which
of
lesson
sultant
re-
most
reactionaryconservative
hope entirelyto defeat
cannot
(even
made
of the individual.
energy
of the
to
appeal
an
have
determinism
The
oriental fatalism.
we
deterministic
forms
scientific
modern
ancient
analysisthat
the
The
goal
have
it round
far to the
right
drifted had
he
it to drift alone.
of my
to the last division
subject,the
pass
of the environment
in mental
evolution. After
have
be quite concise.
already said, I may
at firstsightas if that
Here, if anywhere, itwould seem
school
be rightwhich
makes
the mind
must
passively
plastic,and the environment
actively productive of
the form
of its conceptions; which, in a
and order
I
Since
extent
other
been
this paper
was
the need.
met
qualitieswhich
still more
But
not
who
can
doubt
yet shown,
(1896.)
must
result from
Cleveland
written, President
he has
decisive?
progress
has
to
that if he had
his influence
would
tain
cer-
certain
have
246
a
series of
adaptive changes, in
of that word.
mental
furniture
We
the
fined
already de-
sense
what
part of
of purely remembered,
know
consists
vast
field of
entire
associations
that the
think
to
by
be
'
noticed
and
extracted
which
benefits,moreover,
environment
yield, and
the
determine
parts inflict,
interest and our
attention,and
our
of mental
points the accumulation
begin. It might, accordingly,seem
no
his
by
room
for any
other
have
found
we
variation/
born
is
'
rienced
expe-
as
the
therein
certain
parts
hurts
and
of
direction
decide
at
which
experiences
if there
as
der
or-
The
the
so
son
rea-
mind.1
pains
other
which
were
relations
outer
itself determine
may
imbedded
the generalcharacters
pleasuresand
of the
of
The
individual
the
in which
shall
order
not
habits
our
our
than this ;
agency
useful between
so
shall
were
if the distinction
as
'
spontaneous
the producer of changed forms, and
their
and
preserver
of mental
progress
destroyer,
in the case
did not hold
if,in
; as
a
word, the parallelwith darwinism
might no longer
obtain, and Spencer might be quite right with his
"The
of intelligence,
which
law
fundamental
says,
cohesion
between
psychicalstates is proportionateto
which
the
the relation between
the frequency with
answering external pheonmena has been repeated in
experience."2
the
outer
environment,
That
is,if
certain
experience with
it will be
sooner
as
generalcharacter
number
abstracted
of
than
be
rapidlyrepeated in
strongly contrasted
if its associates
are
our
concomitants,
invariable
or
monotonous.
2
See
also pp.
463,464, 500.
On
Men
Great
their Environment.
and
whatever
maintain
from
the
here.
even
all drawn
from
"
the
from
darwinian
distinction
that the
facts in
question are
lower
the
throughout the
that
the
to
of
strata
which
brutes.
whole
And
; and
are
that
as
tendencies
fancies,accidental
instable
the
in the
human
of
the
partment
de-
teristically
characat every
new
of
tions,
concep-
evolve
random
ages,
im-
spontaneous
activityof
brain, which
mental
which
shape
out-births
functional
possesses
easilyshow
violated
active
the
to
so
functions,
most
are
of fact the
originallyproduced
in
can
matter
emotions, and
are
mind,
of those
extent
highest,which
human, Spencer's law is
step
the
the
with
common
hesitation
no
speak,
in
holding firm
247
riation
va-
excessively
environment
outer
and
of
It is
analogous
an
due
to
molecular
dents
acci-
sort.
one
of
social variations
that human
gences
intelli-
sometimes
408
page
the
able
law
connection.
Either
law, from
not
think
to
them
warm
is formulated
in consciousness
outer
to
Mr.
my
is
thus
The
proportionate
Spencer works
point
into admiration.
us
of
synonymous.
most
view, is false
to
persistenceof the
the persistenceof
with
; but
the law
Mr.
of
But
nection
con-
the
frequency.
Spencer ought
Essays in PopularPhilosophy.
248
this faithfulness
even
to remind
ring,and
of
of
When
we
defend
his
and
to
No
matter
capable
reader
to their
nor
sort of
inorganic
than
ties
properof the fastness
stead-
of alternative
choice.
frequent allusions
horses,
have
of the immutable
more
will
human
intensifiea.
are
us
of inanimate
piece
to
seems
to
peculiarities
get
forof Schopenhauer can
the trockener ernst of dogs
ehrlichkeit.
every
no-
deep impression of
the few, simple,and
receive
must
And
fatallyliteral character of
treadmill-like operationsof their minds.
But turn to the highestorder of minds, and what a
things pachange ! Instead of thoughts of concrete
tiently
bitual
followingone another in a beaten track of hasuggestion,we have the most abrupt cross-cuts
the
transitions
and
from
abstractions
rarefied
unheard-of
one
and
combinations
another, the
most
discriminations, the
most
idea
of
to
elements,
the
subtlest
suddenly
analogy ; in a word, we seem
of ideas, where
into a seething caldron
introduced
in a state of
and bobbing about
everything is fizzling
be joined
where partnerships
can
bewilderingactivity,
associations
or
loosened
of
in
an
instant,treadmill routine
is unknown,
ing
only law. Accordlations
the individual,the scintilto
character or another.
will have one
They will
flashes of
be sallies of wit and humor
; they will be
of
poetry and eloquence ; they will be constructions
fiction or
of mechanical
dramatic
device, logicalor
tific
philosophicabstractions, business projects,or scienquences
hypotheses,with trains of experimental consethereon ; they will be musical sounds,
based
ions
or
images of plasticbeauty or picturesqueness,or vistheir differof moral
But, whatever
harmony.
and
the
unexpected seems
the idiosyncrasyof
the
250
When
sky
or
grotesque whim
some
suddenly
catch
unsolved
problem,
thoughts.
from
the
my
which
intuition
an
that
at
"
of
moment
notions
of
I may
a
longfar
was
shaken
are
blue
smile at
or
me,
solution
the reservoir
reservoir,
same
of the
which
Both
to
occurs
the
brain
of
out
in which
in
arouses
me
fever
for verification.
of desire
book
mouth
to
spreads from
mouth, till at
enshrined
nature's
in
ways.
which
less
notion, which
my
the
unable
idiosyncraticthan
Now,
of the
environment
was
the spontaneous
to
review
last there is
Pantheon
The
it
review
Everything
being then published
my
to
no
and
doubt
from
I
great diviners
preserves
produce
in
the
any
am
of
ception
con-
brain
own.
upsettingsof
brains
this way
particularideas
matched
and combinations
are
by their equallyspontaneous
terminat
detiltingsor saggings towards
permanent
bent
is quite
The
humorous
directions.
And
characteristic ; the sentimental
one
equally so.
makes
it more
of each mind, which
the personaltone
of experience than
classes
others,
alive to certain
to
attentive to certain
more
impressions,more
open
is equally the result of that invisible
certain
reasons,
and unimaginableplay of the forces of growth within
to the enthe nervous
system which, irresponsibly
and
that at
particularmoments
into
Great
Men
the brain
vironment, makes
in
certain
peculiarlyapt to
again the selection
Here
way.
products of
The
their Environment.
and
the mind
with
the determined
251
function
goes on.
aesthetic
bent
We
please or displease the community.
adopt
and serene.
We
Wordsworth, and grow unsentimental
fascinated
are
by Schopenhauer, and learn from him
the true luxury of woe.
The
adopted bent becomes
in the community, and alters its tone.
The
a ferment
be a benefit or a misfortune, for it is
alteration may
(pace Mr. Allen) a differentiation from within, which
has to run
the gauntlet of the larger environment's
selective power.
Civilized Languedoc, taking the tone
of its scholars, poets, princes,and
fell a
theologians,
in the Albigenprey to its rude Catholic environment
sian crusade.
France
in 1792, taking the tone
of its
St. Justs and Marats, plunged into its long career
of
unstable
outward
relations.
Prussia
in 1806, taking
the tone
of its Humboldts
and its Steins,proved itself
in the most
signalway
adjusted to its environment
in 1872.
of the strangest chapters of
Mr. Spencer, in one
'
'
his
tries
Psychology,1
which
race
the
to
development
No
occurs.
according
have
him,
to
reached
law,
is
the
a
few
in
data
displayedin
conception
until
certain
an
belief of which
incapable.
but
belief
the
order in
necessary
of conceptions in the human
abstract
coherence,
definiteness,
"Thus
show
and
the
outward
of
degree
so
be
can
ences
experi-
heterogeneity,
forth.
unchanging order,the
the
oped,
devel-
primitive man
is
belief in
absolutely
Part
1^1
sions
which
the
savage
and
in but
few
Of
cases.
most
"
likeness
widely,
nearly
so
that,whether
alive
of
the
arts
presented
that
difficult.
speciesit rarelyhappens
same
...
"
so
discrimination
or
It is
attitudes.
same
of the
animals
between
Even
objectsaround,
forth,
approach complete
few
make
fectly,
imper-
very
clouds, and
water,
to
as
all the
and
notion
there
in
just the
velopmen
gradual de-
come
frequent
complete
lines admittingof
experiences of perfectly
straight
equalit
apposition,bringing the perceptions of equalityand indevoid
is savage life of the experiences
Still more
which
sion.
generate the conception of the uniformityof succesThe
observed
sequences
from
hour
hour
to
and
day
...
of
which
it tends
of
rather
sequence,
the
to
than
generate.
develops
arts
the
is the notion
uniformity,
Only as fast as the practice
idea, of
measure
clear.
Those
uniformitybecome
furnished
by advancing civilization which
make
possiblethe notion of uniformitysimultaneously
of
consciousness
of
notion
the
exactness.
man
of what
call truth.
we
in
well
statement.
true
mechanical
as
fit,
the
make
sible
pos-
primitive
Exactness
as
ditions
con-
closelyallied
How
well
Hence
the
implied even
as
practice of the
language. We speak of
which
consciousness
the
can
this is to
cultivates
arts
a
true
surface
the
is
as
in
perfection
describes
between
perfectagreement
the
results of calculations."
The
show
whole
the
passive,is
of
burden
fatal
way
moulded
in
by
Mr.
which
its
book
Spencer's
the
mind,
experiences of
'
is to
supposed
outer
rela-
Men
Great
this
In
tions.'
chapter
to
mind.
the
figure among
Surely they are so,
; but only because
social environment.
of the
all other
and
individual
institutions
head, of
253
yard-stick,the balance,
the
machines
other
and
the chronometer,
come
their Environment.
and
and
'
relations
instruments
external
the
to
ufactured
they have been manof the preservative
power
Originallyall these things
flashes of genius in an
were
after
which
the
environment
outer
become
and
sign. Adopted by the race
its heritage,they then
to
new
supply instigations
inventions
new
geniuses whom
they environ to make
showed
no
and
discoveries
But
take
rolls.
progress
alter their idiosyncrasies,
the
ball of
geniuses,or
increasinguniformities will
We
defy Mr. Spencer or
what
show?
else
so
the
out
and
and
the
ronment
envione
any
reply.
The
tion
plain truth is that the philosophy of evolu(as distinguishedfrom our
special information
about
of change) is a metaphysical
particularcases
of contemplation,
creed, and nothing else. It is a mood
to
'
emotional
an
of
and
thought,
which
(such as
mood
and
and
from
Far
be
mood
which
refutation
no
of any
is
one
old
than
as
system
the
world,
incarnation
of it
the
of
One
All, which
whose
it from
hoary
and
this.
What
had
"
attitude,rather
womb
us
mighty
we
was,
at
and
is,and
ever
shall
the
the
be,
each
laugh
the
at
should
draws
it
whether
which
above
from
its
against
me
'
will
far
thus
of
social
just
effacing
all
etc.,
as
the
potential
which
achieved,
the
in
had
the
the
to
'
is
an
so
test
pro-
follow
ophy
philos-
obsolete
type
of
'
Force/
actual
between
with
the
plumes.
to
philosophy
to
in
'
patience
of
voice
pre-darwinian
have
back
truth
scientific
work,
gether
alto-
dwells.
spencerian
momentum,
physicists
us
his
distinctions
previous
least
at
the
progress
spencerian
energy,
carries
itself
intellectual
reverting
thought,
raise
that
agree
and
anachronism,
and
have
who
least
region
science
disprove
disguising
all
that
think
which
in
at
can
is
can
science
from
"
cannot
creed,
metaphysic
who
however,
critic,
that
It
which
on
below
or
be.
to
breath
vital
its
"
different
out
turn
distinctions
phenomenal
for
based,
Philosophy.
Popular
accumulates
science
is
in
Essays
254
force,
much
pre-galilean
mass,
agony
age.
of
Importance of Individuals.
The
OF
IMPORTANCE
THE
by
"
'
the
Genesis
of
It
article.
but
the
saw
It
1890.
the
refused
was
later
day
at
foregoing article,on
light.
Mr.
very
Allen's
simple
contempt
entitled
the
in the
here
appears
Grant
Mr.
titled
Allen, en-
'Sociology and
follows
article which
The
other
Mr.
Worship,' by
Hero
etc., called
Men,
the
INDIVIDUALS.
Great
previous Essay, on
forth two replies, one
THE
255
as
time
natural
it casts
which
for
considerations.
Court
Open
a
the
by
Atlantic,
for
August,
supplement to
some
tory
explana-
hero-worshipis based
A
nation's
great
on
men,
but
says, are
hero
level. The
he
the
every
them
extra
What
vast
differences
between
every
mind.
Greek
mind
and
We
Egyptian or Chinese
neglect
may
in a philosophy of history,just as
in calculating
the impetus of a locomotive
we
neglect the
impetus given by a singlepiece of better coal.
each
compared
man
with
adds
what
is but
an
he derives
infinitesimal fraction
from
his parents,
of
i$6
from
his earlier ancestry.
indirectly
the past gives to the hero
is so much
what
future
the
from
receives
if what
And
bulkier
than
him, it is what
really
problem for
The
philosophical treatment.
the
sociologistis as to what produces the average
and what they produce
man
; the extraordinarymen
by the philosophers be taken for granted,as too
may
trivial variations to merit deep inquiry.
Now, as I wish to vie with Mr. Allen's unrivalled
polemic amiabilityand be as conciliatoryas possible,
I will not cavil at his facts or try to magnify the chasm
between
an
Aristotle,a Goethe, or a Napoleon and
the average
level of their respectivetribes.
Let it be
small as Mr. Allen
All that I object to is
thinks.
as
calls
that
for
he
should
think
the
size of
mere
difference
is
that difference be or be
deciding whether
not a fit subjectfor philosophic
study. Truly enough,
the details vanish in the bird's-eyeview ; but so does
is the
view vanish in the details. Which
the bird's-eye
Nature
right point of view for philosophicvision?
gives no reply,for both points of view, being equally
natural reality
real,are equally natural ; and no one
tuation,
emphatic than any other. AccenPer se is any more
foreground,and background are created solely
by the interested attention of the looker-on ; and if
the genius and his tribe
between
the small difference
that
between
interests me
most, while the large one
capable
of
tribe and
another
be ended
cannot
accounting
us
tribe
interests
until
Mr.
Allen,
our
troversy
con-
complete philosophy,
shall justify
impartially,
a
both.
An
said
unlearned
in my
between
one
carpenter of
hearing :
man
and
"
There
another
my
acquaintance
is very
; but
once
little difference
what
little there
258
is thus
all the
of
zone
insecurityin
of the
dead
machinery
zone,
affairs in which
interest
dramatic
human
This
stage.
belongs
is the
to
formative
the race's
the
age,
aver-
factor
typical,hereditary,and constant
it occurs.
of the social community in which
It is like
the bark of the tree in which
the soft layer beneath
Life has abanall the year's growth is going on.
doned
the mighty trunk
stands
inert
inside, which
and
belongs almost to the inorganic world.
Layer
after layer of human
from
perfection separates me
who
the central Africans
pursued Stanley with cries
!
This
of
difference
meat
vast
meat,
ought, on
attention far more
Mr. Allen's principles,
to rivet my
not
yet
"
"
the
than
birds
of
while
petty
in
I
free
do
in the
Allen
as
and
than
more
indeed, I
Will
moment.
all human
a
I shall
student
of the
Allen
Mr.
eyes
gap
latter
and
differences
Mr.
To
between
my
infinitely
amphioxus
chasm
seriouslysay
tweedledum
the
the
to
debate.
for
counts
thought
feel very
inferior
appear
intellectual
dullest
folly,and
Veddah's
myself. Yet
sight of a passer-by
waterings of the
of this momentous
the
such
two
and
that
publicly
not
that between
never
that the
confess
conduct
my
Allen
cannibalistic
to
teacher
ablest
proud
between
obtains
Mr.
as
no
me
am
if I
proud
To
feel
never
mouth,
me
feather
awakens
which
one
till this
that
this
is
tweedledee?
between
two
clothes,
same
slightindeed,
habit
harmless disposition,
same
same
same
spectacles,
and
of scribblingon
books, etc.
poring over
paper
with
will say,
Just two white fellows,"the Veddah
But what
difference to
a
no
perceptible difference."
themselves
! Think, Mr.
the literarymen
Allen, of
white
"
literarymen
seem
"
"
Importanceof
The
Individuals.
259
to
of
Veddah
flesh creeps
Our
thought.
in judging of historyMr.
But
Allen
deliberately
point of view,
prefersto place himself at the Veddah's
and
to
see
things en gros and out of focus, rather
than minutely. It is quite true
that there are things
and differences
either way.
But
enough to be seen
which
the humanly important ones,
those most
are
our
interest, the large distinctions
worthy to arouse
the small?
In the answer
to this question lies the
or
from the sowhole divergence of the hero-worshippers
ciologists.
As I said at the outset, it is merely a quarrel
do is to
of emphasis ; and the only thing I can
for the emphasis I prefer.
state my
personal reasons
at the
"
The
of the
zone
'
social
'
twists
which
is the
initiate,
belt of
past and
take
not
of life ; and
by
of the
differences,and
confession
common
they
namic
dy-
of formative
zone
quivering
future
for
individual
the
processes,
uncertainty,the line where
It is the
meet.
narrow
of all
theatre
we
do
living drama
of the
its scope,
it is roomy
of human
passions.
range
built up
active
with
successive
by
the trunk
of
tree, it has
of successive
concretions
The
victories,and
and
to
Like
make
defeats, will
leave
room
its small
for
fresh
soon
pass
deposit on
actors
and
over
to
the
jority
ma-
newer
play.
260
And
that
though
each
later
forerunners
be
it may
shall
zone
; and
true,
as
Mr.
fatallybe
that when
the
warfare,
"
the whole
will span
still even
and
enfeebled
there
Battles
and
its
lady-liketeashall prevail,
such
the
at the large or
of possiblehuman
scope
shrunken
in this
than
narrower
ultimate
table
small end
Spencer predicts,
defeats
ness
eager-
will occur,
the
will be
fate's scale.
And
is not
its instinct
right? Do not
in the making,
the race-differences
grasp
the only glimpse it is allotted to
working
action
What
units
of
themselves,
us
but
the
form
race-gaps
of scientific
strange inversion
the
here
and
catch
attain
to
whose
we
of
the
differentiating
sum?
stagnant
procedure does
to
us
neglect
he teaches
practise when
elements
and
attend
only to aggregate resultants?
the active
the
On
contrary, simply because
ring,
its bulk, is elementary,I hold that the study
whatever
of its conditions
so
(be these never
'proximate') is
the highest of topics for the social philosopher. If
Mr.
Allen
individual
variations
hair-breadth
Allen
from
and
escapes
Mr. Fiske
tabooing
the
determine
and
both
study
its ups
twists and
of
these
history our
heroes, and
downs
turns,
admit, Heaven
!
the contrary, let us
On
average
the importance of these; and
and
from
and
in
as
forbid
favor
of
and
Mr.
us
the
emphasize these,
in picking out
communing with their
The
Importanceof
spirits,
kindred
hands, and
each
"
creative
what
This
imagining
261
stronglyas possible
their individualities brought about
in
its surface was
still plasticin their
whilom
feasibilities they made
possible
imof us
best fortify
and
spire
inone
may
"
differences
what
in
Individuals.
energy
as
lie in his
may
soul.1
own
is the
of hero-worship,and
lastingjustification
the pooh-poohing of it by 'sociologists'
is the everlasting
for popular indifference
to their genexcuse
eral
laws
America
and
The
averages.
rescued
by
difference
between
an
Washington or by a Jenkins
Allen
Mr.
be
as
little/but it is,in the
says,
may,
words
of my
carpenter friend,. important.' Some
of things have
in the nature
organizinggenius must
the
French
Revolution; but what
emerged from
a
'
'
'
Frenchman
no
will affirm
it to
that he
consequence
should
have
scarce
word
from
survived
had
Bonaparte?
it
the
numerary
super-
What
mal,
ani-
of
matter
of
accident
an
have
or
that
moment
been
should
of
idiosyncrasies
domestic
have
no
of
Nazareth?
The
create
and
ultimate
but
cannot
law-giverhere.
consider
the
talk
of
And
what
are
the
lute
abso-
I for my
the
part
contemporary
M.
G.
Tarde's
book
of genius), Les
Lois
de
(itselfa work
l'lmitation,Etude Sociologique (2me Edition,Paris, Alcan, 189=5),
is the best possiblecommentary
this text,
invention
the
on
on
'
'
"
one
hand, and
'
imitation
'
on
the other,
change.
being for
this author
the two
ences,
as
the
whose
be,
is
There
mine?
one
which
Popular
pernicious
most
there
Suppose
is
in
Essays
262
it
to
lies
no
is
be,
the
study
Philosophy.
social
that
of
of
question
averages
preference,
your
of
isms.
fatal-
fated
equilibrium
"
of
immoral
and
questions,
can
decide.
and
to
or
it
On
ON
WE
are
Hegelisms.
some
263
HEGELISMS.1
SOME
non
witnessinga singularphenomeBritish and
American
philosophy.
justnow
in
there
is
no
doubt
that, as
movement
of
tion
reac-
Reprinted from
Mind, April,1882.
Essays in PopularPhilosophy.
264
The
point of
clearer
have
begin with
if I
the
on
view
motives
in
few
become
remarks
preparatory
difficulties of
and
will
mind
philosophizingin
general.
show
To
that
the
may
of the world
of
some
is
and
ideal from
as
faculties
our
the
the
as
ideal
the
of
mainspring
sophic
philo-
mechanical
conception
the point of view of
is from
one
teleological
the
whole
is defined
of reaction, to
real
different law.
The
of
be shot out
simple
far
as
"
can
we
way
parts
pistolat
see,
our
powers
to understand.
Hegel
as
seem,
Each
us.
might
with
at
seems
for
fact,uncalled
brute
by
make
even
has
said,to
itself as
asserts
the
follow
to
rest, which,
a
better
a
so
system
ous
Arbitrary, foreign,jolting,discontinuthe adjectivesby which
are
we
tempted
it.
without
to
see
congruous
and
is to approve
of the
Much
a
in
are
describe
it.
And
yet from
out
the bosom
of it
in which
actuallyreached.
for each
mean
personal consciousness,
of
us
reason's
the continua
of time
and
ideal
of memory
of space.
In
166
further
given time extend
parts; but the beyond is
homogeneous with what is embraced, and follows the
same
law; so that no surprises,no foreignness,can
from
ever
space'swomb.
emerge
Thus
with space
is absolutelyintimate
our
intelligence
and
transparency incarnate.
; it is rationality
The
same
if for
of the ego
said
sake
simplicity's
that
when
the world
the
say
be
may
is what
heaven
the
ignore them,
we
desire.1
our
But
we
the
Cannot
may
breaks, the
of
from
foreignness,be exorcised
leave
them
unitary like the space
this be done, the philosophickingdom
jolts,the margin
other
thingsand
they fill? Could
But
of time.
truly
desiderate
rational knowledge of
we
standard
set by our
knowledge of space
governs
of
and
would
moment
be
turn
we
hand.
at
the
to
material
qualities
ism,
space as actual and space as potential.For idealexists so far as it is represented; but all actuallyrepresented
tinguishesbetween
only
space
that
of
sake
only for simplicity's
Not
rationalizingcontinuum.
items
far
while
or
fixed way
if
other
so
of
manner
matter
of
the paragon
select space as
determines
the relations of the
we
all,they
at
all need
make
but
them
the
lodge itself
can
cannot
conform
must
not
rationality.Under
unreason
One
of content.
do
Space
more
does
than
as
to
geometry
conform
logic
to
shelteringwings
safely as
of
any other
of the ego-
worship
time
far
the
any
self the
kind
it in
that enter
more
that
only possiblyrepresentablespaces
infinite.
are
finite ; it is
are
spaces
never
of
so
some
of
essential
experience
at
give the
from,
not
which
its mantle
of the
transcendental
our
condition
all,must
character
is cast),one
ego
of
the
existence
of
world
of ized
organcharacter
own
but
'
one
thing
of its believers.
On
of
Hegelisms.
some
267
find the
continuityruptured on every
if we
A fearful joltingbegins. Even
side.
simplify
bare poles,
the world by reducing it to its mechanical
and
their motions,
the discontinuity is
atoms
The
laws
of clash, the effects of distance
bad enough.
and
trary
arbiattraction
repulsion,all seem
upon
being, we
"
"
collocations
so
of which
have
The
in
no
wise
have
We
rest.
involve
banished
not
the
discontinuity,we
that
had
to
great
still as
rationalized
But
in
when
labelled
facts,and
are
some
of its contents.
stripped off
secondary qualitieswe
and
part
one
existence
it finer-grained.And
to get
only made
into the universe
we
degree of rationality
butcher
are
of any
existence
to
seems
themselves
atoms
independent facts,the
many
of the
of data.
from
'
even
have
The
the
reality
sion/
subjectiveilluthemselves
must
be
way.
deal with
facts believed
be
purely
from
the goal.
subjective,we are farther than ever
have
the refuge of distinguishing
We
between
not
now
the
of
Facts
reality and its appearances.
thought being the only facts,differences of thought
the only differences,and identities of thought
become
the only identities there are.
Two
thoughtsthat seem
different to all eternity. We
different
are
can
no
longer speak of heat and light being reconciled in
tertium quid like wave-motion.
For
motion
is
any
motion, and lightis light,and heat heat forever,and
their discontinuity is as absolute
their existence.
as
Together with the other attributes and things we
Plato's realm
of immutable
conceive, they make
up
we
'
'
ideas.
Neither
out, is its
community
to
per
se
truth,'creates
with
it
it,or
it except
other, hatches
268
in
or
of
an
found
and
ego
more
the
resembling, as
is a world
qualities
less
inter
each
and
Each
se.
it
says
world
with
and
account
own
of which
continuities
lute
abso-
they partake,
of
for most
possess.
It might
seem
do
forth,
"
not
space,
the
whiteness
and
admitted.
'
mere
heat
time, and
of
heat
space,
and
so
time,
each
other?
help to create
be
few
such
a
priori couplings must
They are the axioms : no feelingexcept
'
partaking there
of the discontinuity. If the white
if in the
as
lay a contradiction
must
partake of
as
occupying
in
some
some
no
ego
thought
number,
or
space
motion
of
but
previoustime,
in
The
Plato's
in
no
be.
may
more
tinuous
things almost wholly disconthat I am,"
I am
only says,
its
on
case
or
differing,
"
The
monotony.
Yes
of
less
or
and
but
time,
of
object;
an
the like.
and
"
and
obtain
they
moment
something
moved
no
But
only
or
as
time
they
without
are
between
limited
sively
exces-
leave
of concepts, and
quite
genera
of those genera
what
the specifications
undetermined
stance
What
shall be.
feelingshall fill this time, what subbroad
this
the
qualitiescombine
unanswered
questions as
execute
being, are
as
much
metaphysicalaxioms
never
existed
at
in
if
all.
existence
"
In
such
seems
yet another
of
such
the truth.
way,
real
are
so
far
On
apart that
To
eat
their
conjunction
have
and
cake
our
Hegelisms.
some
quite hopeless.
seems
lose
it,to
and
soul
our
of selfishness
it,to enjoy the physical privileges
the moral
time,
luxury of altruism at the same
save
and
would
be
the
shape
only one
of which
But
ideal.
in the
terms
of
be
can
choose,
and
The
wrench
is absolute:
whenever
comes
I bet
without
poorer
just
Portland
when
or
Cambridge
as
New
to
in
resultant
we
possibility.
or!"
Just as
"
on
between
not
direction
event, there
an
hundred
does
that
so
;
one
intermediate
York
these
us
alternatives
once
murder
wavering
my
at
"Either
am
offers
exclusive
dollars
any
real
true
choosing
hundred
instant
an
over;
in
the
mutually
must
or
269
dollars richer
degrees passed
a
journey to
from
me
carry
in which
both
Albany, but at a
results in the conjunction of realityin
given moment
all its fulness for one
alternative and impossibility
in
all its fulness for the other,
the bachelor
so
joys
are
utterlylost from the face of being for the married
motions
are
compounded,
say
to
"
who
man,
must
find
henceforward
that
is not
them
then
think
that
but
his
account
in
good enough to
him forget them ; so the careless
make
and irresponsible
livingin the sunshine, the 'unbuttoning after
in the afternoon,'
and sleepingupon
benches
supper
the path of him who
in
stars that have
set upon
are
makes
The
himself a moralist.
tions
transigood earnest
are
abrupt, absolute, trulyshot out of a pistol;
for while many
are
called,the few that are
possibilities
chosen
in all their sudden
chosen
are
completeness.
something
Must
and
and
we
time
the
is
world
that
yield us no acquaintance of
perfect type yielded by empty space
can
themselves?
Is
what
unity
there
is in
fillsspace
that
high
and
time
the
world
Essays in PopularPhilosophy.
270
and
space
vision
of
time
and
fact that
'partakes'
the
of
facts of
it forestall the
fractions
some
the
from
derived
mainly
others
before
world
the
them?
is in
Can
no
it, or
know
from
the
others
have
logicallyindeterminate
sibilitie
posthere
which
forbid
being any equivalent
for the happening of it all but the happening itself?
that what is to
Can we
gain no anticipatoryassurance
tute,
will have
come
no
strangeness? Is there no substiin short, for life but the livingitselfin all its longdrawn
length and breadth and thickness?
weary
In the
negative reply to all these questions, a
finds no
in acquiescmodest
common-sense
ing.
difficulty
To
such a way
of thinking the notion of
taking
parhas a deep and real significance.Whoso
takes
parinto
of a thing enjoys his share, and
comes
with the thing and its other partakers. But
contact
Are
arrived?
there
real
'
'
he
claims
no
His
more.
share
in
no
wise
negates
does
it preclude his
thing or their share ; nor
possessionof reserved and privatepowers with which
all
not
are
nothing to do, and which
they have
function
of sharing. Why
in the mere
absorbed
may
the world be a sort of republicanbanquet of this
not
all the qualitiesof being respect one
sort, where
another's personal sacredness, yet sit at the common
the
comport
not
"
named
so
the
comport
act
of
leaves
As
the
first three
notes
of
tune
On
the facts
the
the
is not
one
the
not
are
Hegelisms.
some
the
knowledge of
other in anything
complements, so
knowledge of the
elements
271
of which
all must
take
par-
to be
powers
the
other
my
ridiculous
the
not
"
mouth
the
bounds
After
all,what
accounts
of the
universe
owe
and
right to
philosophicthrone
as
if I
to do
know
in
/ think
as
do
By what
despotism do
me?
to
their
the nethermost
secrets, and
from
to
the
were
itself,
as
lust of intellectual
I arrogate the
to,
do
have
which
right,'
the freedom
to
insatiate conceit
my
march
do
to
freedom
either.
wrong
it would
freedom
only mean
can
right,but
freedom
same
Lord's
anointed?
shall
Is not
my
actions
There
where
bounds
so
as
to
'
are
they
meet
bounds
must
of human
them.
of ord'nance
pause
or
rue
knowledge, set
'
it.
set
'
for all
Facts
for it,not
things,
'
are
by
it.
the
Essays in PopularPhilosophy.
272
Now,
to
j" can't
overpass
till we
"
banquet of which
!
we
rational
It
all.
at
nulliverse,to whose
But,
is pure
own,
"
get her
teeth
become
her
have
on
prey
and
in the
sense
her
truckle.
I will not
world
to
The
is
ophy's
philos-
if she
once
shall
inevitably
all-devouringtheoretic
necessities
she
shall
freedom
actual
champion, will be
her
as
or
philosopher
nothing. If
sense,
sway
the world.
obey
to
all
off,
grant that it is
incoherence, a chaos, a
maw.
for
we
this is
Heavens,
world
haphazard
! this is not
no
Hands
say,
can't control
surrender, I refuse
of unconditional
that
"
be rational in my
cannot
pusillanimous
Bounds
we
possibilities
merely share !
such
! facts that
Data
given
are
Hegel's
simply loathsome.
sounds
twaddle
like
mind
mean
shall
satisfied
be
one
on
no
ates
cre-
she,
lower
terms.
insolence
The
take vengeance,
of sway,
usually admitted
But when
intellect
an
PhilipII. are called monsters.
insatiate enough to declare that all existence
is found
do not call
the knee to its requirements,we
bend
must
but a philosophicprophet. May
its owner
a monster,
all
this be
not
exempted
with
its
from
where
And
excess?
Is there
wrong?
the
one
any
lot of
common
everything else
of
must
our
tions
func-
to
liability
be contented
ulty
part in the universe, shall the theorizingfac-
ride
I confess
He
the whole?
rough-shod over
I
who
can
see
claims
no
it
274
Germany,
for
where
brought
moment
vaults
into the
of
mental
is endemic.
excess
to
saddle, and
bay,
from
Richard,
is himself
that
again.
time
his
He
career
series of
one
philosophic desperado,
the chastityof thought.
outrages upon
And
ourselves
not
can
we
sympathize with his
in some
mood
degree? The old receiptsof squeezing
have
the thistle and taking the bull by the horns
applications. An evil frankly accepted loses
many
The
Stoics had their
half its stingand all its terror.
cheap and easy way of dealingwith evil. Call your
ings
woes
goods, they said ; refuse to call your lost blessand you are
happy. So of the
by that name,
of intelligibility
call them
:
means
unintelligibilities
further do you
is even
and what
a
require? There
than that.
In the exceedingmore
legitimateexcuse
is that
"
"
ness
our
formulas
lies
ing
stand-
On
And
of
some
Hegel's ways
resembles
system
the
pass
after this
now
door
Hegelisms.
some
you
may
not
entering. Hegelians
the
entrance
in
with
abstract
an
form,
fatal arch.
know
considerations
so
almost
drink
to
need
nor
which, stated
plausible as to slide
unwittingly through
necessary
it is salt ;
that
Safety lies in
anointed, so to speak,
have
are
It is not
the
that
they
break
shall
down,
prop.
First
of all,Hegel
sharing
and
has to do
call contradiction
identity in another;
and
Contradiction
derive
be
must
from
its credit
in
he
cases
that
we
the
that
is
so
the
glue
in
points
if
that
they
with
much
too
whole
which
system
the
rotten.
utterlyaway
business
partaking
will not
He
the
must
so
us
to
ocean
critic dissect
after
system
once
lost forever.
various
unresistinglyand
if you
mouse-trap, in which
275
the
loathes.
place
one
half-hearted.
wholes,
be
must
shown
Contradiction, shown
coherence
and
to
defeat
solvent.
dream
of
To
dissolve
'
earlier
in
continuity,cannot
"
involve
lurk
to
to
J.
cruder
difference
'
be
is
taken
contradiction.
the
after
as
very
that
the
heart
be
held
universal
schools.
is their
of
Hegel will
and
identity,
of
the
show
that
276
in the
and
of detachment
act
they
Now,
fall into
each
the very
at
philosopher who
it
words
which
contradictories)
obliges him
understanding,'whenever
of
term
above.
The
common
there
he
secrets,
nothing
make
sees;
but
the
the
use
case
looks
at
space
word
as
used
lieves
be-
acquainted with
hidden
no
machinery, no
parts as they lie side by side
in
it to
static whole.
the
is
in his pages,
of space we
occurs
who
man
nothing
what
beyond
and
is
it
the
Take
contempt.
fact to
in
that
absolutely
it can
be completely
tity
a principle(theidenstanding,
utterly defies under-
on
and
rather odd
the world
that
fall back
is undone,
arms.
seems
pretends that
understood, should
of
detachment
other's
outset
in other
rational,or
the
be
intellect is satisfied
His
with
of the
accepting space as an ultimate genus
given. But Hegel cries to him :
Dupe ! dost thou
it to be one
of incompatibilities?Do
not
nest
see
and the diversityof its
the unity of its wholeness
not
"
parts stand
unite
and
in
patent contradiction
divide
things; and
would
activity,
irreconcilable
dynamism
produces
the
static
Does
it not
both
self-contradiction
of
appearance
is what
by
which
incessantly
sense
your
is fooled."
But
if the
all this,and
man
ask
how
self-contradiction
can
do
to work,
dynamism may be seen
Hegel can only replyby showing him the space itself
In other words, instead of
and
Lo, thus."
saying :
the principleof explanation being more
intelligible
telligible
than
the thing to be explained,it is absolutely uninand
if taken
must
appeal to its
by itself,
its existence.
Surely,
pretended product to prove
of
such a system of explaining noturn per ignotunt,
how
"
its
On
Hegelisms.
some
277
from
credentials
the
making the explicans borrow
explicand,and of creatingparadoxes and impossibilities
where
none
were
suspected,is a strange candidate
of being a complete rationalizer of the
for the honor
world.
of identity
principleof the contradictoriness
is the essence
of
and
the identityof contradictories
But what
the hegeliansystem.
probably washes this
tion
with beginners is the combinamost
principledown
in which
its author works
it with another principle
which
is by no
characteristic of his system,
means
and which, for want
of a better name,
might be called
the
principleof totality.'This principlesays that
cannot
even
a
adequately know
part until you
you
The
'
know
of what
writes
and
is not
loves
Hegel
even
it forms
whole
hand.
"Little
flower
What
And
"
you are,
I should
know
Obviously,
immediate
until
or
we
remote,
to
but
root
what
have
into
part.
As
Aristotle
amputated
Tennyson says,
quote,
as
an
hand
"
if I could
and
understand
all,and
all in all,
and
is."
God
taken
which
man
in all the
the
relations,
thing actually
all
potentiallymay enter, we do not know
about the thing.
And
obviously for such an exhaustive acquaintance
with
the
thing, an acquaintance with every other
is
and
and
remote,
potential,near
thing, actual
science
needed; so that it is quite fair to say that omnialone
one
can
thing
completely know
any
it stands.
as
Standing in a world of relations,that
before the thing is fullyknown.
world
be known
must
This doctrine
is of course
an
integralpart of empiricism,
Since when
an
integralpart of common-sense.
could good men
not
apprehend the passing hour
enters
or
278
in the
lightof
not
"
grow
sionate
dispas-
their view?
Did
they stretched
little legitimatetheir procelaw of sharing so
dure
of contradictories,forsooth,
that a law of identity
be trumped up to give it scope?
Out
upon
the
the
life's largersweep,
more
'
'
must
idea !
the
Hume's
of the way
account
of causation
in which
empiricism may
something a cause
is
good
use
illustration
the
principle
at the
totality.We call
; but we
time deny its effect to be in any latent way
same
tained
conidentical with
in or substantially
it. We
thus
tell what
its causalityamounts
until its
cannot
to
effect has actuallysupervened. The
effect,then, or
something beyond the thing is what makes the thing
of
to
be
so
far
as
it is
cause.
Humism
thus
says
and
not
causalityis something adventitious
necessarilygiven when its other attributes are there.
that we
must
Generalizing this,empiricism contends
the intrinsic being of
everywhere distinguishbetween
these, between
a
thing ind its relations,and, among
essential to our
those that are
knowing it at all and
The
be called adventitious.
those that may
thing as
actuallypresent in a given world is there with all its
it there exists, they
as
relations; for it to be known
be known
must
too, and it and they form a singlefact
consciousness
that
for any
large enough to embrace
what constitutes this singleness
world
as
a unity. But
of fact,this unity? Empiricism says, Nothing but the
the several items of
in which
matrix
relation-yielding
find themselves
the world
embedded,
time, namely,
that
its
"
and
space,
that
they
see,
were
are
an
and
the mind
of the knower.
And
it says
of the items
On
item
an
were
determinate
Hegelisms.
some
objectfor consciousness
point in space and time.
relations would
in such
and
occupied a
All
the
world
and
along with the intrinsic natures
which
they obtained
beings between
of totality in knowledge would
279
titious
adven-
be
changed,
places of the
but the
ciple
prin'
'
in
wise
no
^_"t Vk~~^
affected.
be
*-
this to
But
no
says there are
relations of what
call
trinsic
in-
second
relations.
adventitious
no
are
be
it
the
When
'
"
'
relation;
of
unity
'
and
all the
the
world
matrix.'
make
has
matrix
The
unity,simply
proof
The
rest.
which
relations
are
nothing
and
the
because
items, each
each
that
infallibly
reproducethe
whole.
which
so
alone
is to
deny the
them
; to
refer to them
that of
on
the
time
to
end.
If
Not
call this
we
so
To
; and
scene
say
to
the
To
latter to
posit one
deny them
is to
operandi
partnership
the identityof
recommends
rest ; to
it and
I said, that
in, as
comes
from
emanate
them
all,
In the modus
with
principleof totality
contradictories
with
tality,
hegelianprincipleof toif any one
part be positeds
of the
any
lies in the
demands
of the emanation
The
necessary.
do
with
to
is to
item
refer to
begin is in
monism,
simply that
Hegel
the
one
is
the
fulness of
quick
item
to
cry,
is the rest
280
of the universe
it is
simply
is
which
on
be
in
expressed
The
sentence.
it
the trouble
joininghands
is that
well.
Thus
keeps
in
respects in which
the world
the
us
and
is
one
refuses
judgment
monism
Hegel
formula
to
or
and
introductory
own
or
distinguish,
try
we
of
a
our
this apparent
over
and
the truth
as
appears
appeared
that
neither;
single act
any
world
pluralism,
justas
exposition.
But
as
and
say that
to
as
we
fail not
we
that it is not,
while
one-sided
itself. It is both
only condition
to
false and
as
from
ever
of brotherhood
the
distinguish,
from
those
in which
formula
the time-honored
most.
reason
For
my
own
part,
of
empiricistpluralism,that
in any singleproposibe set down
the world cannot
tion,
of more
less instead
when
I
intelligible
grows
add, And yet the different propositionsthat express
!
The unity of the propositionsis that of
it are one
that harbors
them.
who
the mind
insists
Any one
is in any way
itselftheir unity,can
that their diversity
only do so because he loves obscurityand mystification
"
"
for their
Where
you
Herbart
own
pure
meet
used
sakes.
with
to
contradiction
say, it shows
real distinction.
you
ities,
realamong
have failed to
make
282
be called
the
For
one.
and
pure
is in
or
instance, we
on
bedroom.
Hold
still,naked
if it
the
but
Like
boon.
say
because
the
naked
the drawing-room
not
enter
simple must
danger of taking cold, that the naked with
his clothes
bond
cannot
to
it
amuse
cold
It does
contradiction
not
either
exclusion, or what
involve.
may
In a version
stay in his
"
so-called
blood
must
Shylock's pound
consequences.
his Christian
or
of
is
the
sterile
flesh,it leads
entitle you
in the way
is
to
no
drop
of
to
one
of
cial
catarrh,so-
nakedness
except
make.
we
elephant
'
as
himself
he
where
the
audience
The
showman
who
advertised
his
larger than
any
On
"
a
so
Hegelisms.
some
any
in the
he
himself
is in
with
the
elephant,largerthan
This
; for
contradiction
stands
endowed
virtue
283
world, involves
the world, and
of
being both
perfect hegelian
was
creature
as
your
all he meant.
other
exemplifies*J
'
to
him
identical.
ing
such, are accordThat
is, otherness/ which
can
a given thing A, secundum
quid
'
only be predicated of
is predicatedsimpliciter,
and
(as other than B, etc.),
in question with B, which
made
is
to identifythe A
other only secundum
allied, namely other than A.
Another
maxim
tired of
that Hegelism is never
limit is alreadyto be
to know
a
repeating is that
walls do not
Stone
a
beyond it."
prison make,
"
"
"
tiary
cage." The inmate of the penitenshows
by his grumbling that he is still in the
and of separativethought. The
stage of abstraction
more
keenly he thinks of the fun he might be having
outside, the more
deeply he ought to feel that the
walls
identifyhim with it. They set him beyond
them
secundum
quid, in imagination,in longing,in
and
despair; argal they take him there simpliciter
nor
iron
bars
284
in flesh,in power,
convict, to ignore his blessings!
in every
way,
in deed.
"
Foolish
To
statinghis principleis this :
know
the finite as such, is also to know
the infinite."
Expressed in this abstract shape, the formula is as
it is unobjectionable. We
as
can
insignificant
cap
word
with a negative particle,
and
the word
every
finishedimmediately suggests the word
unfinished,
words
and
the two
know
we
together.
it is an
But
entirely different thing to take the
of ending, and
to say
case
knowledge of a concrete
makes
that it virtually
us
crete
acquainted with other confacts in infinitum. For, in the first place,the
mode
Another
end
be
may
an
of
"
absolute
The
one.
of
matter
the
in finite amount
if we
knew
that
we
had
counted
"
remain
it would
be
; but
may
spaces
dollar in my
fatuous
one
to say, because
pocket is
homogeneous with all the dollars in the country, that
with
to
have
space
the
whatever
it is to
are
dollars
as
have
them.
The
numerically distinct
from
the
dollar, and
further
from
the
not
until
points of
fringe as
we
have
\
be
said to
know
we
can
actually intuited them
them
hegelian reply is that the
simpliciter. The
qualityof space constitutes its only worth ; and that
there is nothing true, good, or beautiful to be known
'
On
in the
the
into
and
the
Hegelisms.
some
beyond
which
285
in
already known
of a eulogisticterm
fringe. This introduction
true
a mathematical
question is original. The
false infinite are
the
about
tinction
as
appropriate disof cognition as the good and
in a discussion
be in a treatise on
ology.
meteornaughty rain would
spaces
is not
'
'
'
'
when
But
we
of the
one
could
be
other ;
nor
does
true
tution."
by identitycapacity for substiThis
sounds
suspiciouslylike the g^od and
the naughty infinite,
rather
like the mysteries of
or
the Trinity and the Eucharist.
To the unsentimental
but two sorts of identity, total identhere are
mind
tity
the identityis total,
and partialidentity. Where
the things can
be substituted
wholly for one another.
Where
is impossible,it must
substitution
be that the
identityis incomplete. It is the duty of the student
the exact
then
which
it
to ascertain
quid, secundum
philosophy
ever
mean
"
obtains,
Catholic
as
we
will
have
tell you
tried
to
do
that when
above.
he
Even
believes
in
the
the
286
mean
muscular
baked
sole
respect of
it is identical
body
that
so
"
fibre, or
in the
meat
Christ's
with
he
He
oven.
make
cook
and
use
in
not
it to
it smell
be substituted
can
does
that in the
means
nourishinghis being
with
he
body,
might
certain
hibit
ex-
like
one
way,
of his Redeemer.
The
'
'
'
"
X.
The
'
use
is the
of the
maxim
fattest and
'
All
most
determination
is tion
negaapplicationof
full-blown
in its
refusingto distinguish. Taken
than anything
confusion, it probably does more
vague
of flicker and dazzle which
else to produce the sort
for the reception of
conditions
the first mental
are
word
The
negation taken simpliHegel's system.
the
method
of
'
'
citer is treated
as
if it covered
an
indefinite number
of
On
Hegelisms.
some
very
287
peculiarone
of self-
Whence
is drawn
finallythe conclusion
that assertions are universally
As
self-contradictory.
this is an
worth
while
to
important matter, it seems
treat it a littleminutely.
I measure
When
of milk, and so deout
termine
a pint,say
make
two
it,what do I do ? I virtually
tions
asserregarding it, it is this pint; it is not those
other
gallons. One of these is an affirmation,the
other a negation. Both have a common
subject; but
the predicatesbeing mutually exclusive,the two assertions
negation.
"
lie beside
I may
more
with
remote
each
other
propriety be
in endless
said
still, assertions
"
to
peace.
make
assertions
of which
those
other
"
"
"
288
And
sion ?
the
do you
which
it now
being
Assuredly
with
and
milk
exclude
maintains
had
been
hearing of
and
found
country,
another
"
there
but
was
front
land flowing
this
limited
un-
fill;
singlepint in the
of the pint would
the determination
determination
them
its own?
as
if you
whole
if you
equallyexclude
not
so
which
your
mind
had
There
be a real
would
previouslymade of the milk.
conflict resultingin the victory of one
side.
The
rivers would
be
negated by the single pint being
affirmed ; and as rivers and
pint are affirmed of the
milk (first
same
as
supposed and then as found), the
contradiction
would
be complete.
But
that can
it is a contradiction
never
by any
chance
in real nature
occur
or
being. It can only
between
false representationof a being and
occur
a
idea of the being when
the true
actuallycognized.
it had no
The first got into a place where
rightsand
But in rerum
had to be ousted.
natura
things do not
another's logicalplaces. The
gallons
get into one
We
the pint; the pint
first spoken of never
are
say,
the gallons." It never
tries to
I am
never
says,
for anything to
expand ; and so there is no chance
"
"
"
exclude
or
negate
it.
It
thus
remains
affirmed
absolutely.
it be
believed
elementary
truths that the principledeterminatio
negatiois held
throughout Hegel to imply an active contradiction,
Do
the horse-cars jingling
conflict,and exclusion?
Do
outside negate me
I,reader,
writingin this room?
if I say,
Of course,
are
Reader, we
negate you?
two," I negate you, for I am
two, and therefore I am
actuallythrustinga part into the seat of the whole.
Can
"
290
and
(as Emerson
incense
forward
goes
own
says),the
seems
still,
to
of the
dance
but
me
to
atoms
manifest
his
deformity.
This
leads
me
to
animadvert
on
an
ference
In-
erroneous
which
se
table and
after the
fashion
same
as
But
but
consubstantial.
An
affirmation
says
thing
some-
A negation says
objectiveexistence.
something about an affirmation, namely, that it is
false. There
are
no
negativepredicatesor falsities in
false hypotheses that have
nature.
no
Being makes
about
an
"
On
Some
291
be in
only denials she can
construed
to
perform are denials of our
way
any
This shows
errors.
plainlyenough that denial must
be of something mental, since the thing denied
is
table is not
the chair
always a fiction. "The
poses
supthe
false
have
been
with
the speaker to
playing
to
be contradicted.
Hegelisms.
The
"
have
that it may
notion
been
perfectlywell
may
the
be
of
chair.
But
tion
affirma-
something having no
relation to thought.
such
constitutive
and
necessary
it reallyis of such a thing is for harder
Whether
siderations
con-
decide.
to
If idealism
infinite,unitary, and
whether
republic of semi-detached
will do,
consciousnesses
"
fund
of
hypothesis is
be
to
one
of
to
or
another
one
some
each
the
united
to
the others
do
by
the nextness
within
them
universe.
To
be
certain
possessing a
Either
share.
not
But
mon
com-
the
whether
representations
tion
the principleof unificathus consciously next
many,
is
each
conceivable.
me
or
consciousnesses
but
representations,
which
privatestore
egos
consciousness,
of
excluded
being
Dundreary's bird
separate
'
this
like
other
Lord
forming a
tion
only a condi-
universe
of which
all their
universe, and
flocking all alone,' and
from
determinations
undecided.
leaves
To
say,
verse
uni-
because
be in the same
representationb cannot
with a without being c?s neighbor; that therefore
possesses,
flesh and
involves, or
necessitates
all appurtenances
fell,
and
b, hide and
hair,
belongings,
"
is
Essays in PopularPhilosophy.
292
only
the
once
more.
insatiateness
silly hegelian all-or-nothing
Hegel's
pocus
The
exert
own
them
"
have
The
submitted
conditions
In
till we
decide
cannot
we
with
continuity,of selfhood,
penalty of being excluded.
under
space, and time
But
shall be
what this universe
which
universe
same
of
conditions
the
"
into the
of entrance
the conditions
is
know
themselves
impose
no
real
of fact
matter
what
its sole
these
to
tations
represen-
conditions.
further
requirements.
contingency and
"
fate.
But
have
the
tired
reader
The
out.
them
addressed.
which
which
itself.
they are
mirage, of
is the
What
almost
seem
very
as
fantastic
The
as
use-
we
sounds
the
of
sense
of
worst
errors
a
versal
uni-
us,
ghostlyunreality,steals over
moonlit
atmosphere of Hegelism
wonder
then
if, instead
of
convert-
On
words
do
ing, our
already baptized in
charmed
senses
only
but
the
of
us
rejoice and
children
seem
have
not
the
293
delight,those
faith of confusion?
all
we
some
Hegelisms.
some
of
To
their
Hegel
wit to know
gether,
toour
father.
Just as Romanists
are
to inform
sure
us
that our
reasons
against Papal Christianity
unconsciously
breathe
the purest spiritof Catholicism, so
Hegelism benignantlysmiles at our
exertions, and
"If
the
red
murmurs,
slayer think he slays;"
"When
me
the wings," etc.
they fly,I am
To
forefend this unwelcome
adoption, let me recapitulate
in a few propositions the reasons
why I am
not an
hegelian.
cannot
eat
cake and
have it; that is,
1. We
our
the only real contradiction
there
be
between
can
thoughts is where one is true, the other false. When
this happens, one
is there any
must
go forever ; nor
higher synthesis in which both can wholly revive.
chasm
is not a bridge in any utilizable sense
2. A
;
that is,no mere
be the instrument
of a
negation can
in thought.
positiveadvance
the ego, are
and
continua, time, space,
3. The
bridges,because they are without chasm.
the chasms
between
4. But they bridge over
sented
reprequalities
only partially.
the qual5. This partialbridging,however, makes
ities
own
'
share
6. The
in
world.
common
other
characteristics
the
of
qualitiesare
separate facts.
7. But
same
Generic
spaces.
found
the
becomes
joltsare
8. But
qualityappears
of the
sameness
thus
in many
further
means
times
and
quality wherever
by which the
reduced.
between
different
qualities
jolts remain*
294
Each,
far
as
the
as
other
is
concerned,
is
an
lutely
abso-
separate and
contingentbeing.
moral
judgment may lead us to postulate
9. The
irreducible
the contingencies of the world.
as
Elements
10.
flict
mutually contingent are not in conof time,
so
long as they partake of the continua
partaking being the exact
opposite of
space, etc.,
sive
strife. They conflict only when, as mutually exclupossibilities,
they strive to possess themselves of
"
the
same
That
11.
there
such
are
and
ego.
real conflicts,irreducible
and
of
intelligence,
giving rise to an excess
possibilityover
actuality,is an hypothesis, but a
credible- one.
No
philosophy should pretend to be
anything more.
to
any
Note.
Since
"
the
precedingarticle was
written,some
vations
obser-
the effects of
which
I
nitrous-oxide-gas-intoxication
was
prompted to make
by reading the pamphlet called The
and the Gist of Philosophy,
Anaesthetic
Revelation
by Benjamin
understand
Paul Blood, Amsterdam, N. Y., 1874, have made
me
of
better than
before both the strengthand the weakness
ever
Hegel'sphilosophy. I stronglyurge others to repeat the experiment,
which
with pure gas is short and harmless
enough. The
effects will of course
vary with the individual,justas they vary
individual
from
time to time ; but it is probable
in the same
that in the former
a generic resemblance
case, as in the latter,
on
will obtain.
have
With
me,
with
as
every
other
of whom
I
person
is the tremendously
Truth
metaphysical illumination.
lies open
to the view in depth beneath
depth of almost blinding
mind
all the logicalrelations of being with
The
evidence.
sees
its normal
to which
sciousness
conan
apparent subtletyand instantaneity
ing
offers no
parallel
sobrietyreturns, the feel; only as
is left staring vacantlyat a few
of insightfades, and
one
stares
at a cadaverousdisjointedwords and phrases, as one
looking snow-peak from which the sunset glow has justfled,or
excitingsense
at
the black
of
an
intense
cinder left by
an
extinguishedbrand.
On
emotional
immense
The
Hegelisms.
some
'maudlin'
the
of
sense
of
reconciliation
295
which
acterizes
char-
alcoholic
drunkenness, a
to lookers-on,but the subjective
silly
stage which seems
rapture
of which
probably constitutes a chief part of the temptation to
The
is well known.
the vice,
and peripheryof things
centre
to come
seem
together. The ego and its objects,the meum
stage
"
"
the
and
tuum,
make
to
peal through
Hegelism was
that
of
convictions
idea
Now
one.
effect upon
the
was
was
are
me
same
logicalforceps,and
and
that
truth
that
was
things,vanishes
in
all,and
after
true
hitherto
representationoccurred
or
thousandfold
were
the
to
served
to
that the
deepest
Whatever
wrong.
mind
seized
was
illustrate the
but
differences
; that
by
the
truth ;
whatsoever
same
opposition,among
higher unity in which it is based;
every
contradictions,so-called,are
hanced,
en-
me
intellect
my
this,only
that all
all differences
kind ; that
degree ; that all degrees are of a common
of being; and
unbroken
that we
continuityis of the essence
in the midst of an
to perceivethe existence
are
infinite,
literally
are
of
of
which
to
is the
both
strife
occur
in this
attain.
Without
Strife
presupposes
common
parties,the differences
the tenderest
and
; yes
statement
can
thus
can
we
about; and
striven
to
could
basis,how
be
utmost
agree at
is but another
and
It is
no
only occur
of
From
as
something
topic,the
the
same
hardest
same
for
diction
contra-
the same.
But the same
are
synonymous,
difference of emphasis is two ; and here again ence
differ-
synonyms,
phrase by
merge.
of
diversity
the
are
no-difference merge
impossibleto
of the identification
in
one.
296
figurein
trasts
mind
how
saw
edge
each
in the
pages
which
the
eternal,was
monotonous
same
it
through a
knife-
effected,and
which, perennial
of life.
thought
stans
nunc
The
way.
its contrast
belongedto
term
of transition
moment
and
these
The
of
'
"
or
"
of its initialletter.
shorn
but
*s mistake
What
What's
but
nausea
Let
kind
transcribe
me
few sentences
of take ?
of -ausea?
kind
"
subjectof criticism
the
become
Everything can
something to criticise
disagreement !!
Agreement
without
how
"
cise
criti-
"
Emotion
motion
"
!!!
Die
away
evil reconciled
and
Good
it escapes
It escapes,
in
laugh !
But
What
?
escapes
there must
what
escapes,
be
Emphasis, EMphasis;
for there to be a phasis.
No verbiage can
give it,because
/^coherent, coherent
And
it fades
If it
it 's infinite !
same
Extreme
1
extreme
tellingyou
me
and
other
Intoxication,and
Every attempt
"
is
to write
at
the
than
that
otherness
than
betterment,
and
'
and
forever
as
not
to
it?
the
to
identity?
write !
the
extretne
'
of
density that
/^tensity.
thing !
intoxication.
every
"
It fades forever
see
you
Within
extreme
extreme,
contains is contained
Something,
on
"
'
it 's infinite!
hold
should
Constantlyoppositesunited
The
verbiage is other.
And
you
don't
the difference,
see
you
the
in order
same.
"
why
Ji'tgoingi
was
Don't
And
emphasis
some
we
move.
attempt
at
otherment,
in
Essays
298
if
intoxication,
within
depth
united,
whichever
you
when
Even
by
so
left
It
indeed,
seems,
world,
Hegel
his
was
life
that
pessimistic
contradictories,
Hegel
which
from
a
laugh
amazement
at
and
less
the
at
to
is
ultimate
a
the
the
to
more
pertain
finally,
being
really
the
the
that
and
or
infinity.
in
mood
that
and
made
that
the
world
and
essence,
that
accidental
mere
identification
of
of
process
process,
terminating
a
mon
com-
much,
so
self-developing
self-consuming
abstract,
nothingness,
meaningless
the
to
of
view
its
employed
he
be
in
throughout
end,
every
to
more
object.'
own
emotion
means
wilderment,
be-
nothing
emotion
supreme
of
attitudes
from
this
his
became
of
said
powerful
to
and
no
things
have
it
itself.
its
of
very
the
one
with
become
which
continuity
moment;
supposes,
the
of
susceptible
true
far
so
lation
reve-
bewilderment
the
save
outcome
the
often
know
togetherness
the
of
subjectivity
the
optimistic
or
that
'escapes;'
intense
an
'spirit
engender
infinity
makes
of
how
bewilderment,
or
as
is
into
at
sharing,
of
'fades,'
intense
unscrupulous
indifferentism
which
that
gratification
its
fact
ultimatum,
quoted
astonishment.
sut,
unusually
so
tolerably
him
this
perceived,
when
may,
law
the
the
upshot
this
of
phrases
changed
is
causa
is
conclusion
My
short
Something
bewildered
is the
and
reason
in
"
the
confusion,
be
this
one,
from
than
to
but
synthesis,
stops
clue.
sensation
indifference,
fatalism,
bright.
insight
of
pessimistic
and
higher
process
puzzle,
particular
rosy
the
losing
singular
in
noticed
have
feeling
the
impotence
it is all
the
will
reader
of
choose
began
that
ends
not
Philosophy.
prolonged.
sufficiently
depth
silliness
Popular
ing
passeither
vertiginous
in
PsychicalResearch.
WHAT
PSYCHICAL
299
RESEARCH
HAS
ACCOMPLISHED.1
"
"
I ''HE
scientific
friend
discoveries," said
new
to
the
me
ever
of
met
The
dust-cloud
it
always
attend
to.
The
of
closed
of
charm
and
about
proves
is
the
there
easy to
science
more
every
completed system
their
to
"
vations,
exceptional obserdom
irregularand sel-
ideal of
sciences
most
day,
science
every
and
with, which
to
Round
of
minute
occurrences
ignore than
is that
of
sort
other
of
truth.
passive
more
to
seems
every
definite
possiblephenomenon
to
and
cover;
fancy,that, when
of this sort
has
a
once
whether
conceived
within
the
This
of
Research,
Science.
consistent
been
whole
which
sort
free
and
it professes
is most
men's
organized scheme
comprehended and
is unimaginable. No
or
parts,
can
any
lated,
assiminative,
alter-
longer
as
is formed
for March,
the
of the
classification for
unclassifiable
possible. Phenomena
therefore paradoxical absurdisystem are
Essay
Magazine
and
to
of
far from
so
scheme
different
be
head
1890, of
President's
published
of
in
portions of
an
Address
the
before
the
Proceedings
article
an
article in the
Forum
in
for
July,1892,
Psychical
June, 1896, and in
Society for
for
Scribner's
300
ties,and
must
be
held
When,
untrue.
moreover,
as
often
"
its
of the
to be
No
been
often have
formulas
new
exceptions in them
the
than
of the voice
more
of what
were
supposed
rules.
treated
has
residuum
contemptuous
more
usually
scientific
of phenomena
disregard than the mass
generally
called mystical. Physiology will have
nothing to
do with them.
Orthodox
psychology turns its back
upon
when
them.
in
an
Medicine
anecdotal
them
sweeps
vein, records
out
a
; or, at most,
few of them
as
missal,
disimagination,' a phrase of mere
whose
meaning, in this connection, it is impossible
to make
precise. All the while, however, the
phenomena are there, lying broadcast over the surface
its pages,
of history. No
where
matter
you
open
of divinaunder
the name
find things recorded
tions,
you
demoniacal
possessions,
apparitions,
inspirations,
healings and productrances, ecstasies, miraculous
tions
of disease, and
occult powers
possessed by
and things in their
peculiarindividuals over
persons
neighborhood. We suppose that mediumship origi1
effects of the
"
'
'
PsychicalResearch.
Rochester, N.
in
nated
with
but
Mesmer;
Y., and
look
once
animal
behind
301
magnetism
the
pages
of
and
you
will find
official
that there
never
was
time
when
these
not
things were
reported just as abundantly as now.
We
follow the stream
of
college-bred gentry, who
cosmopolitan culture exclusively,not infrequently
stumble
old-established
some
journal,or some
upon
voluminous
heard
author, whose
native
of in
our
circle,but who
names
number
are
never
their readers
the
"
because
have
we
twist.
The
scientific-academic
feminine-mysticalmind
shy from each
other's facts,justas they flyfrom each other's temper
have
and spirit. Facts
there only for those who
are
When
mental
once
a
affinitywith them.
they are
and
admitted, the academic
indisputablyascertained
and
critical minds
to
are
by far the best fitted ones
for surely to pass from
interpretand discuss them,
is like passing from
mystical to scientific speculations
lunacy to sanity; but on the other hand if there is
mind
and
the
"
3"D2
anything which
human
historydemonstrates, it is the
the ordinary academic
with which
acknowledges facts to exist which
slowness
extreme
critical mind
and
present
themselves
wild
as
which
pigeon-hole,or as facts
the accepted system.
a
and
the
been
about
it in
mystics who
the factSywhile
the
to
respect
have
for
once
the
scientifics had
theories.
'
medical
all
usuallyproved
The
break
to
or
up
psychology, physiology,
the mystics
debate between
medicine, wherever
is the
threaten
stall
no
In
and
scientifics has
facts, with
the
science
decided, it
to
the
be
right
better
and
recent
most
of
magnetism,' whose
a
pack of lies by
world
until
over,
the
'
'
non-mystical theory of
hypnotic suggestion was
found
for them,
admitted
be
when
to
they were
that special
so
excessivelyand dangerously common
be passed to keep all perpenal laws, forsooth, must
sons
diplomas from taking
unequipped with medical
nerabilitie
part in their production. Justso somatizations, invulinstantaneous
inspired discourses,
cures,
of which
and
demoniacal
possessions,the records
libraries but
shelved
in our
were
yesterday in the
the brandalcove
under
headed
now,
superstitions,'
of hystero-epilepsy,'
title of
are
cases
new
lished,
repubtoo
even
reobserved, and reported with an
credulous
avidity.
Repugnant as the mystical styleof philosophizing
there is no
be (especially
when
self-complacent),
may
that it goes with a giftfor meeting with
sort of doubt
certain kinds of phenomenal experience. The writer
"
'
'
past few
of these
in the
to
believes
forced
has been
pages
this admission
he now
; and
will pay
attention
to
dear
that
to
years
he who
mystics,
PsychicalResearch.
while
reflecting
upon
them
303
in academic-scientific
ways,
in the best
uninstructed
reader.
and
According to the newspaper
drawing-room
idiotic credulity are
and
the
myth, soft-headedness
bond
of sympathy in this Society,and
der-sickness
general wonits dynamic principle. A glance at the
this view.
membership fails,however, to corroborate
The
president is Prof. Henry Sidgwick,1known
by
his other deeds as the most
and exasperincorrigibly
atinglycritical and scepticalmind in England. The
Arthur
Balfour
is one
hard-headed
and
vice-president,
Prof. J. P. Langley, secretary of the
the hard-headed
Institution, is another.
Smithsonian
the
Professor
Lodge,
Professor
Richet, the
are
among
the
most
eminent
men
as
and
English physicist,
French
physiologist,
eminent
active
Such
contributors
to
the
ety's
Soci-
the
catalogue of
honored
out
throughfor their scientific capacity. In fact,
the world
I asked
to point to a scientific journal where
were
and
hard-headedness
never-sleepingsuspicion of
of error
in their full bloom,
sources
might be seen
1
and
Written
Professor
in
1891.
William
Since
Crookes
then,
Mr.
have
Balfour, the
held
the
present
writer,
office.
presidential
304
I think
I should
of
the
common
fall back
level
of
rigorous canons
to
testimony
ago
years
mediums
'
the
on
ings
Proceed-
The
Psychical Research.
physiological
subjects,
papers, say on
in other professionalorgans,
are
apt
the
few
*
for
far lower
Indeed,
Society
finds
one
show
to
to
of
run
which
have
led to the
critical
consciousness.
of evidence
in
secession
the
case
from
the
applied
of
a'
certain
Society of
number
case.
S. P. R.,
The
in 1882
founded
among
W. F.
whom
as
by
number
to
seem
have
Balfour
Barrett, and
of
been
convenience,
was
gentlemen, foremost
Professors Sidgwick,
Stewart, and
Messrs.
R. H.
Gurney, and
Hensleigh Wedgwood, Edmund
Their
was
first,
F. W. H. Myers.
twofold,
purpose
to carry on
tic
systematic experimentation with hypnoand others; and,
subjects,mediums, clairvoyants,
concerning apparitions,
secondly, to collect evidence
which
similar phenomena
haunted
are
houses, and
incidentallyreported, but which, from their fugitive
Hutton,
"
character, admit
Sidgwick, in
the divided
was
of
his
state
scandal
no
deliberate
control.
introductory address,
of
public opinion on
to
science,
"
Professor
insisted
all these
absolute
disdain
that
ters
maton
be called
priorigrounds characterizingwhat may
credulity
professionalopinion, while indiscriminate
those who
often found among
too
pretended to
was
have a first-hand acquaintance with the facts.
for accumulating
bureau
of
weather
As
sort
a
306
have
been
looked
precise coefficient
that all may
its
it,
know
who
will
leave
great
full occupancy
scientific scandal
of the stage
have
soon
been
to
human
should
duty
this
themselves
to
the
idea
societies
much
mass
accustom
results of
But
of
it has
one
any
have
sort
emerge
begun in some
by
cannot
progress
in
mere
matters
at
first.
such
outward
All
modest
and
perform
conclusive
our
learned
way.
organizationmake
scientific.
Societies
can
PsychicalResearch.
back
The
of
men
genius,but
between
contrast
Branch
American
of
group
work
their
place.
parent
illustrates this.
with
men
the
take
never
can
307
enthusiasm
century found
belief that
there
in
an
individual.
His
obstinate
is
"
kind.
His
two
thick volumes
on
'
Phantasms
of
the
collected and
published in three years, are a
Living,'
proof of this. Besides this,he had exquisite artistic
and
instincts,
Sound*
was,
his massive
when
it
volume
on
appeared, the
'The
most
Power
of
important
308
aesthetics in the
work
on
also
the
heart
tenderest
power,
Quid,'will prove
as
to
English language.
and
his
volumes
any
reader.
mind
of
He
rare
had
physical
meta-
of
'
Tertium
essays,
Mr. Frederic
Myers,
of the most
brilliant of
as
one
already well known
English essayists,is the ingenium prcefervidum of
the S. P. R.
Of the value of Mr. Myers's theoretic
later. Dr. Hodgson, the
writings I will say a word
American
secretary, is distinguishedby a balance of
mind
in its way
almost as rare
as
Sidgwick's. He is
of the phenomena
persuaded of the realityof many
ness
keencalled spiritualistic,
but he also has uncommon
in detectingerror
; and it is impossibleto say in
it will give him
satisfaction
advance
whether
more
offered
to confirm
to smash
to his
or
a
given case
examination.
It is
to
of these
contents
were
time
now
largelytaken
transference.
The
cast
brief look
upon
the
actual
these
were
made
Creery, and
Messrs. Balfour Stewart, Barrett, Myers, and
convinced
of
Gurney that the girlshad an inexplicablepower
and objectsthought of by other perguessing names
sons.
Two
years later,Mrs. Sidgwickand Mr. Gurney,
detected
girls,
recommencing experiments with the same
It is true that
them
signallingto each other.
with
the
daughtersof
clergyman
named
of the
earlier
series
excluded
PsychicalResearch.
its
labors to have
heard
only
of this
309
Smith
; the
other
two
were
young
Malcolm
in the
there
But
case.
of
thirtyother
at
upon
great
Mr.
was
ladies in
G. A.
Liverpool
Guthrie.
employment of Mr.
It is the opinion of all who
took
ter
part in these latof conscious
and unconscious
experiments that sources
excluded, and that
deception were
sufficiently
the largepercentage of correct
reproductions by the
subjectsof words, diagrams, and sensations occupying
other persons'consciousness
were
entirelyinexplicable
results
as
of
The
chance.
in fact all
of
witnesses
satisfied of
these
formances
per-
the
genuineness
of the phenomena, that
telepathy has figured
freelyin the papers of the Proceedings and in GurPhantasms
which
on
as
vera
a
causa
on
ney's book
additional
mere
hypotheses might be built. No
be blamed, however, if he demand,
reader
for so
can
revolutionarya belief,a more
overwhelming bulk of
testimony than has yet been supplied. Any day, of
bring in fresh experiments in successful
course,
may
picture-guessing.But meanwhile, and lackingthat,we
can
only point out that the present data are strengthened
in the flank,so to speak,by all observations
that
the possibility
of other kindred
tend
to corroborate
ance,
phenomena, such as telepathicimpression,clairvoywhat is called
or
test-mediumship.' The wider
the narrower
will naturallycover
specieswith
genus
were
so
'
'
'
its credit.
Gurney's
next.
on
papers
of them
Some
new
facts
omitting these, we
hypnotism
are
than with
must
be mentioned
less concerned
analyzingold
with
lishing
estab-
ones.
But
obser-
310
the
screens
absorbed
operator
from
in conversation
his
with
eyes,
a
and
third
his mind
person.
is
The
"
meanwhile
PsychicalResearch.
credit of
demonstratingthe
different
two
other, in the
simultaneous
of consciousness,
strata
'
The
same
person.
call it,can
be
311
existence
ignorant of
of
each
extra-consciousness/
one
may
either
in
made
the
these, of
torture
course,
note, is
selves;
them-
presumptively due
are
hallucination.
or
unobtrusive
an
of the victims
This
only
one
statement,
instance
In
care
course
number
of these
'
were
veridical,'in the
sense
of
the
dred
hunA
large
of coinciding
with
some
hallucination.
an
'
'
be
Apparitions, on this telepathic theory, may
called
rial
mateobjective facts,although they are not
'
'
'
facts.
veridical
Gurney
has
In
'
order
to
hallucinations
the
instituted
been
from
continued
over
'
test
the
being
census
with
the
likelihood
due
to
mere
of
such
chance,
of hallucinations,'
which
result
twenty-fivethousand
of
swers
obtaining an-
persons,
asked
312
at
random
health
good
seen
in
and
form,
could
different
touch
for.
account
has had
life,and
number
to
that
whether, when
or
countries
ever
which
The
no
heard
with
to
in
distant
some
between
the
two
cases
suppose
events?
be,
adult
in his
large
The
event.
ence
pres-
seems
coincide
voice,
material
result
in
tion
ques-
too
great
an
Mr.
cult
oc-
and
Mrs.
of
an
to
individual
some
one
the
and
at
occurrence
distance, the
of his parition
apdeath is no
likelyto
fall on
the
same
314
appears
calls the
Lang
physical miracle.
In the
medium,
case
we
of Mrs.
seem
to
to force
choice
Piper,not
have
no
upon
between
us
a
what
moral
physicalbut
choice
Mr.
offered
and
trance
all.
at
'
kind
of daze, and
in
see
visions.
remarkable
Miss
X.
degree, and
has
this
ceptibility
sus-
is,moreover,
ions
viscritic. She reports many
unusuallyintelligent
voyant,
which
can
only be described as apparently clairfilla vacant
niche
and others which
beautifully
in our
mental
operations.
knowledge of subconscious
For example, looking into the crystalbefore breakfast
one
morning she reads in printed characters of the
an
PsychicalResearch.
of
death
lady of
this,she looks
other
are
the
day
speak, the
special corner
out
visual
of
of
hallucination
her
memory,
when
the
is
and
Mr.
by
have
number
Mrs.
As
the
and
of
ghost stories,
discussed
by Messrs.
the best ghost literature
of view
conclusions
of emotional
such
Sidgwick
while Mr.
Myers
pitable
respectivelyhos-
rigorously non-committal,
show
Podmore
themselves
of the
dead.
my
gossip
about
after
all,seems
to
close
naming what,
part of its
by
Mr.
This
contents.
Myers
what
on
what
came
to papers
Mrs.
to
existence
articles
page
remembers
drawn,
I must
tical
iden-
ification
peculiarmodby the crystal-
and
have
the
same
observation
on
Sidgwick and
They form
Myers and Podmore.
I know
of from the point
interest.
the
she
induced
based
papers
narrative,we
etc., sifted
which
are
only explanation
served,
inattentivelyobforthwith
death-item, which
consciousness
On
seen.
items
to
fell into
as
the deaths
before ; and
the
then
that her eyes
be
so
based
among
she has
which
to
seems
there
Times
reading
'
'
and
verification,
of the
her
circumstances
words
315
stories
ued
the contin-
the
me
is
he
Proceedings by
the most
ant
importthe long series of
now
calls the
'
liminal
sub-
one
"
3 16
"
Each
of
extensive
more
never
is in
abidingpsychicalentityfar
than he knows,
which
an
can
individuality
itself completelythrough any corporealmanifestation.
us
express
"
The
but
is
there
The
itself
self manifests
always
through
the
organism ;
some
it seems,
always, as
abeyance
an
reality
some
of
power
organic expressionin
reserve."
or
Mr.
ordinary consciousness
Myers likens
to
the
ness
; the total conscious-
spectrum
ultra
parts
may
embrace
far wider
of
both
'
'
we
begin
to
and
the
rudest
see
for the
first time
graded system
these
motor-automatisms
to
what
vast
locked
inter-
phenomena, from
the most
startling
Mr.
Quite apart from
sensory-apparition,form.
of
treatment
Myers's conclusions, his methodical
them
by classes and series is the first great step
science
toward
overcoming the distaste of orthodox
to
look
at
them
at
all.
Research.
Psychical
reaction
One's
317
more
less
or
of which
wide
the
work
'
made
insignificant
evidential values,'
full,seems
are
their
supernatural
over
of
quiddling discussion
the Society'sreports
of
mind
minute
doors
the
to
open
To
extent.
throw
evidence, and
to
as
on
ably
insuffer-
species of literature
are
more
trulydull than reports of phantasms. Taken
simply by themselves, as separate facts to stare at,
devoid
of meaning and
so
that,
they appear
sweep,
even
were
they certainlytrue, one would be tempted
leave
them
for being so
of one's universe
to
out
idiotic. Every other sort of fact has some
context
and
These
alone
continuitywith the rest of nature.
tedious.
contextless
are
Hence
'
sense
and
which
"
the
of
loathing no milder
words
search
psychical re"
'
very
'
'
of
conceive
mood
discontinuous.
and
in so many
awaken
psychicalresearcher
scientific breasts is not only natural, but in a
who
is unable
himself to
praiseworthy. A man
honest
only
; few
so
will do
word
it is
And
any
mental
meteors
can
that Messrs.
suppose
in dealing with them
at
prodigies!
so
non-possumus
and
most
of the would-be
critics
of the
to
to oppose
Proceedings have been contented
the simple presumption
the phenomena
recorded
that
in
some
way
or
other
the
reports
must
be
fal-
3 18
lacious,
"
for
so
far
as
the order
has
of nature
been
our
and
eyes
ears
also that
remember
and
this
other
And
senses.
undermining
of the
we
must
strength
facts to the
the facts in
presumptionof
his
And
soundness.
all the
more
would
"
chain.
No
item
one
cites the
content
of another
item
part of its
force
the orthodox
from
in any
own
ordinary experiences of
But
it is
miserable
not
come
ing
be noth-
can
in
through
sense.
thing for
questionof
truth
Research.
Psychical
to
confined
be
to
319
and
presumption
mere
counter-
'
the
thunderbolt
has
fallen,and
had
its
the
belief
orthodox
not
merely
the
law
that
seek
show
to
that
no
singlecrow
Mrs. Piper.
is
resist the
cannot
which
she
has
crows
to
be
you
; it is
are
white.
In the trances
conviction
never
black,
are
crows
one
prove
crow
all
not
must
if you
enough
My own
white
I
of this medium,
that
knowledge appears
gained by the ordinary waking
the source
and wits.
What
of her eyes and ears
be I know
of this knowledge may
not, and have not
the glimmer of an
explanatory suggestion to make ;
use
but
from
see
no
admitting the
escape.
So
fact of such
when
all,I
I turn
cannot
knowledge
to
the
carry
rest
with
can
of
the
the
me
'
method.
To
suppose
that
it
means
certain
set
of
Essays in PopularPhilosophy.
320
results that
should
one
sadly to
the scientific body
forever
is
all,scientists
We
plane
inclined
in
way
he
As
stone
have
broken
such
denies
the
of
be
way
the
which
speak of
far
science
as
lies prostrate in
most
intellectual
urgent
I feel at
may
first to cast
Science, so
the
one
exceptionaloccurrences,
and
some
and
trances
mind
own
nature.
for me;
dust
need
for my
down
order
admitted
no
on
plane tips
in another
way
of fact,the
matter
degrades
non-scientists,live
another
hug
sect.
credulity. The
plane tips in
whose
of
status
and
of
man,
one
the
to
and
built
be
such
things may have a
again in a form in which
cay.
defeeds on its own
positiveplace. Science, like life,
New
facts burst old rules ; then
newly divined
ciling
together into a reconconceptions bind old and new
up
law.
is the
here
And
and
Myers
Gurney's work.
of
method
seemed
as
poser
heard
an
I have
it with
might heap
get his
dirt
round
team
over
Myers, startingfrom
long
series which
show
that these
most
but
in
extreme
Myers
has
nature
uses
that
performed
Darwin
facts,as
in
met
the
wagoner
road, and
upsetting. So Mr.
inatordinary facts of tentive
this
follows
of
theory,his regular
colleague say, was
rock
without
terminates
are
his
able
big
laws
When
smaller
the
consciousness,
to
Messrs.
old
hands.
in Darwin's
fact which
thus
find
to
possiblestrain. Mr.
gradual approach which
wonders
custom,
to
are
smallest
the
such
They
subject the
shall
which
of
instructiveness
conscientiousness
utmost
to
real
clue
through
ghosts,and
seeks
manifestations
to
of
322
say
the
under
ing
table, but
she
where
has
it,saying:
You
you
'd
"
How
left the
and
rose
did
know
have
we
servant
servant
where
to
duces
proit was?
as
same
recollect what
The
you
room
may
accustomed
the
summons
forgotten. A lady
"
"
little time
about
to
catch
the
the
train, and
to call,is
for the
expressman
lost key of
a
excitedlylooking
of
packed trunk.
Hurrying upstairswith a bunch
keys, proved useless, in her hand, she hears an
Try the key of the
objective voice distinctly
say,
cake-box."
Being tried,it fits. This also may well
have
been
the effect of forgotten experience.
'
Now,
the
"
effect
is doubtless
mechanism
we
as
instance, goes
servants
who
ascend
; but
the
source
the
scale
of
after breakfast
has
due
become
the
to
same
is less
A
cases.
to
see
ill
over
about
cinatory
hallu-
signed
easilyaslady, for
one
of her
night. She
is
the bedroom
door
distinctly
reading over
in gilt letters the word
small-pox.' The doctor is
sent
for,and ere long pronounces
small-pox to be
The
the disease,although the lady says,
thought of
startled
at
'
"
PsychicalResearch.
323
the
entered
mind
girl'shaving small-pox never
my
the apparent
till I saw
come
inscription." Then
of warning ; for example, that of a youth
other cases
under
a shed, who
sittingin a wagon
suddenly hears
voice say,
his dead mother's
Stephen,get away from
here quick ! and jumps out just in time to see the
"
"
fall.
shed-roof
this
After
to
which
friends
distant
Then, too,
the
come
have
we
experiences of
at
or
persons
ing
appearthe hour
of death.
near
the trance-visions
and
utterances,
ous,
profuse and continuastonishingly
a fairly
high intellectual level. For
all these higher phenomena, it seems
that while
to me
is that of hallucination,'
the proximate mechanism
it
is straining
an
hypothesisunduly to name
any ordinary
mental operation
subconscious
such as expectation,
recollection,or inference from inattentive perception
may
appear
and maintain
'
"
the
as
"
better
tactics,if you
trustworthiness
mind
far from
that
cause
the narratives
brand
The
ultimate
wish
which
is
which
we
Thousands
States
not
as
yet know
is to
my
own
proved, it
of
of trust.
unworthy
of them
And
might
do
get
themselves
proved.
medium-trance,
to
of most
it up.
It is far
rid of mystery, to
starts
seems
natural kind
as
if
they
of fact of
of sensitive
to-day live as
indifferent to modern
ence,
scias
experiences, and are
if they lived in Bohemia
in the twelfth cenas
tury.
ence
They are indifferent to science, because sciis so callouslyindifferent to their experiences.
science
Although in its essence
only stands for a
method
fixed
and
for no
belief,yet as habitually
taken, both by its votaries and outsiders, it is identi-
324
Essays in PopularPhilosophy.
fied with
hidden
certain
fixed
of nature
order
belief,
"
the
is mechanical
belief that
the
exclusively,and
that non-mechanical
abomination
an
; and
the notions
of
our
divinations and
grandfathersabout oracles and omens,
miraculous
changes of heart and wonders
apparitions,
and
worked
to prayer
by inspired persons, answers
providentialleadings,are a fabric absolutelybaseless,
a
mass
of sheer
of course,
Now,
untruth..
we
must
all admit
that the
excesses
to
which
which
are
the
romantic
such
and
characteristic
marks
of
those
who
Research.
Psychical
325
candid
is that
that
the
day
led
are
by
of stition
superthe scientists of our
which
excuse,
an
of pure
verdict
their intellectual
error,
trainingto
pronounce
the entire
those
facts may
prove
historywould it have
times
most
with
advocates
an
array
which
our
relate to
it would
a
to be ; and
been
have
at
less easy
been
much
than
more
documents
as
publications
present. These
real experiences of persons.
three
now
at
"
easy
for
"
of contemporary
have
in human
time
no
characters
in
good
as
those
all
documents
These
common
experiences
They are
has
now
become
both
name
understand
326
and
It is the intolerance
respect.
phenomena
for such
as
are
we
either of their
proofsof
as
of science
absolute
man's
that
folly),
innate
has
sympathies of
I confess that it is on this,its humanizing
the race.
mission, that the Society'sbest claim to the gratitude
of our
It has
to depend.
to me
generation seems
restored
some
continuity to history. It has shown
aberrations
reasonable basis for the most
superstitious
It has bridged the chasm, healed
of the foretime.
science
set
rift that
f-he hideous
way,
the
apart from
so
science, taken
I will
even
step farther.
one
go
advanced
in
certain
When
standpointwe look
thought, whether
past stages of human
thought or theological
thought, we are
present
which
universe
one
little and
so
Descartes's
the
world
materialists
or
us
should
complication
any
to
appears
of
from
back
and
have
ever
last century
the
upon
amazed
vast
so
our
it be scientific
that
seemed
it be
that
or
rious
mysteto
it be
Whether
plain a thing.
Newton's, whether
of the
narrow
world.
has
common
that
of
of
the
escape
votaries
the
will
never
of the
so.
Yet
past, when
it will be
doom
common
if
we
our
more
look
latter?
that
the
old-fashioned
be
minds
to
the
of
its
children
grand-
follyto suppose
are
to judge by the analogy of the
science once
becomes
old-fashioned,
for its omissions
of fact,for its ignoIt would
Psychical
whole
of
ranee
the
lack
its
in
is
and
spirit
of
science
nothing
the
of
thing
that
only
we
of
elements
part
rigorous
nature
to
prove
be
most
omission
look
personality
belief
that
the
that
to
perspectiveless
at
in
their
eyes
and
own
our
will
short.
the
fessors
pro-
ality,
person-
events,
and
most
inner-
world,
impersonal
of
time
ence's
sci-
on
of
essential
goes
round,
will
descendants
science,
boasted
most
life.
abstract
denial
condition
our
ence
experi-
our
of
of
one
whirligig
form
personal
category
strictly
that
only
thinking,
own
forces
only
own
our
its
defect
very
surprised
is
the
as
The
systematic
as
in
world
our
be
this
And
ing
deal-
personal
our
being
there
from
the
the
is
us,
category
conceivably,
may,
of
tell
that.
of
is
have,
ciples
prin;
science
which
fatal
and
method
effects.
category
other
of
in
any
spirit
encounter,
concretely
philosophy
every
in
new
directly
we
complete
of
this
of
starting-point
that
The
world
for
The
hinder
need
complexity
than
affairs
mere
with
that
of
principles.
them
in
orders
explained,
are
successfully
are
be
to
327
and
ranges
phenomena
Research.
tend
to
make
the
it
Index.
33"
his
providence,182;
his
demands
obligation,
193 ; his function
create
Ethics,212-215.
Goethe, in.
Good, 168,200, 201.
Goodness, 190.
Great-man
theory of history,232.
and
Great
their environment,
men
216-254.
Green, 206.
Gryzanowski, 240.
Gurney, 306, 307, 311.
Guthrie,309.
Guyau, 188.
in
mood,
Easy-going
211, 213.
Elephant, 282.
Emerson,
23, 175.
Heine, 203.
271.
Faith, that truth
against 'scientific'
ate
cremay
91-4;
objections,viii-xi,
its own
verification,
59, 96-103.
76.
Familiarity confers rationality,
Facts,
defended
Hodgson,
H.,
10.
Honor, 50.
Hugo,
Fatalism, 88.
Fiske, 255, 260.
S.
213.
mind,
Human
its habit of
abstracting,
Fitzgerald,160.
Freedom, 103, 271.
Free-will,
103, 145, 157.
Huxley, 6,
Galton,
242.
Geniuses, 226, 229.
Ghosts, 315.
Gnosticism, 138-140, 165,169.
Ideals,
God, 61, 68
our
relations
our
to
on
causation,278.
200
10, 92.
; their
Idealism,89, 291.
285.
mind, 116, Identity,
211.
Imperatives,
him, 134-6;
43 ; the most
; of Nature,
219.
Hume
202.
conflict,
Index.
331
the,281.
Naked,
Zndeterminism, 150.
Individual differences,259.
Nature, 20,
Negation,
Newman,
Natural theology,40-4.
as
Nitrous
262.
56.
41-4,
used by
Hegel,273.
10.
oxide,294.
Nonentity, 72.
Infinite,284.
Intuitionism,in Ethics,186,189.
Jevons, 249.
Judgments of regret,159.
323Omar
Knowing,
Khayam, 160.
Optimism, 60, 102, 163.
Options offered to belief,
3, 11, 27.
Origin of moral judgments, 186-8.
1
Other,'in Hegel, 283.
12.
Knowledge, 85.
Leap
precipice,
59, 96.
on
Leibnitz, 43.
Life,is
it worth
living,
32-62*
Parsimony,
law
of,132.
Pascal's wager,
'Maybes,' 59.
of
n.
Personality,
324, 327.
Pessimism, 39, 40, 47, 60, 100, 101,
161, 167.
Philosophy,65 ; depends on personal
demands, 93 ; makes world unreal,
Materialism, 126.
Measure
5,
good, 205.
Mediumship, physical,
313, 314.
Melancholy, 34, 39, 42"
Mental evolution,
246; structure,114,
117.
ultimate, no;
112.
Physiology,its prestige,
Mrs.,
Piper,
314, 319.
Plato,268.
Pluralism,vi,151, 178, I92" 264,267.
Mill,234.
Mind, its triadic structure, 114, 117;
Positivism, 54, 108.
its evolution,
ments, Postulates,
246 ; its three depart91-2.
114, 122, 127-8.
Possibilities,
181-2,
151,
Monism,
Moods,
292, 294.
with
^
279.
the
strenuous
Powers,
and
the
powers
the world, 86.
easy,
211, 213.
our
as
congruous
Providence, 180.
research, what
subjective,Psvchical
103-108.
299-327;
Moral
;
;
it has
Society
complished,
ac-
for
Pugnacity,49,
51.
philosophy,184-5.
Moral
philosopherand
the, 184-215.
Murder, 178.
Murderer, 160, 177.
the moral
Mysticalphenomena, 300.
Mysticism, 74.
life. Questions,
Rationalism,
three,in Ethics,185.
12, 30.
152.
of,
82-4 ; postulates
practical,
Index.
33*
Rational
Reflex
order of
action
and
theism, m-144.
Reflex action defined,
113 ; it refutes
gnosticism,140-1.
Regret, judgments of,159.
Religion, natural,52; of humanity,
198.
Religious hypothesis,
25, 28, 51.
Religiousminds, 40.
Renan, 170, 172.
Renouvier, 143.
Risks
of
belief
disbelief,
ix, 26
or
rules for
minimizing, 94.
of world, 324.
Romanticism, 172-3.
Rousseau, 4, ^) 87.
Ruskin, 37.
Romantic
view
Subliminal
self,'
315, 321.
Substance, 80.
Suicide,38, 50, 60.
System in philosophy,13, 185,199.
Telepathy,
10, 309.
Theism, and reflex action,111-144.
Theism, 127, 134-6 ; see ' God.'
Theology, natural,41 ; Calvinistic,
45.
Theoretic
faculty,128.
Thought-transference,309.
Thomson, 35-7, 45, 46.
Toleration,30.
Tolstoi,188.
'
Totality,'the principleof,277.
Triadlc structure
of mind, 123.
Truth, criteria of, 15; and error, 18 1
moral, 190-1.
Salter, 62.
Unitarians,
126, 133.
Scepticism, 12, 23, 109.
Unknowable, the,68, 81.
Scholasticism,13.
Universe
M
ality,
=
+ x, 101 ; its rationSchopenhauer, 72, 169.
125, 137.
Science, 10, 21 ; its recency, 52-4 ;
Unseen
world, 51, 54, 56,61.
due to peculiardesire,129-132, 147;
Utopias, 168.
its disbelief of the occult,317-320;
its negation of personality,324-6;
Value, judgments of,103.
nism,
decide questionof determicannot
Variations,in heredity,etc.,225, 249.
152.
Vaudois, 48.
Science of Ethics, 208-210.
Veddah, 258.
226.
Selection of
great
Sentiment
of
men,
rationality,
63.
Verification
of
theories,
95, 105-8.
Vivisection,58.
Seriousness, 86.
260.
Stephen, L., 1.
Stephen, Sir J., t,
Stoics, 274.
Strenuous
mood,
Zola,
211,
213.
Subjectivism,
165, 170.
172.
Zollner,15.