Additional Remarks and Illustrations. Categories of Spontaneous and Reflective Reason-Relation of Observation and Reflection to this original Spontaneity-Con- fidence reposed in the first Truths of Reason, how awakened- Use of the Common Demonstrations of the Divine Existence --Conclusions arrived at by a process of Reasoning, when false The two Schools in Philosophy--Principles of Locke-Theory of Kant-Principles of Locke tested with reference to Neces- sary Ideas-Principles of Locke fail in respect to Understand- ing-conceptions-Error of Kant-Position of Kant true in respect to Understanding-conceptions and Affirmations of the Intuitions-Notions-The Judgment - Associating Principle Manner in which the General, Abstract, and Universal, are eliminated from Investigation and Reasoning distinguished- - Substances, how known--Induction of Phenomena, for what purposes made- Induction pertaining to particular Substances-Induction for purposes of Classification into Genera and Species-Finding a General Fact, or Order of Sequence-The Probable and Im- Characteristics of the Statements made by a Witness-Cir- cumstances which go to establish the Credibility of a Witness The Syllogism the universal form of Reasoning-The above Prin- Principles which lie at the Basis of all Conclusions from a Distinctions Elucidated-Distinction between Demonstrative and Probable Reasoning-Common Impression in respect to the Extent of Demonstrative Reasoning-Method of Proof- The Bearing of the Philosophy of Locke upon Science, properly Kant's distinction between Analytical and Synthetical Judgments. Analytical and Synthetical Judgments defined and distinguish- ed-Errors of Kant in the Application of the above Principles. Progress of Transcendental Philosophy since the time of Kant. System of Kant-System of Fichte-System of Schelling— Remarks upon the Systems above Presented. Difficulties in the System of Kant-Difficulties inherent in the Systems of Fichte and Schelling-Difficulties in the System of Hegel-Difficulties common to all the Systems. Common Sense defined-Common Sense a Standard of Truth -Philosophic Principles, why rejected by the Mass of Man- kind-Dictates of Common Sense, how known and distinguish- ed-Characteristics of Men distinguished for Common Sense. Characteristics of the German Mind. Characteristic stated-Ground of these Peculiarities.... .249 Principle on which the Argument is based-The Soul, how revealed to itself-Matter, how revealed-Our Knowledge of the Existence of Matter and Spirit equally certain--Principle on which the Argument rests re-stated--Qualities of these two Substances-The Argument--Common Objections. God, the Unconditioned and Absolute Cause of all that Conditionally This Principle holds, whether the conditioned be conceived of Logical Consequents of the Principle above Elucidated. Eternity Freedom as opposed to Necessity-Intelligence- This a First Truth of Reason-Does Creation indicate the Character of God as Infinite and Perfect ?-Reasons why these Elements have not yet been designated-Foundation of the Conviction that God is both Infinite and Perfect-Nature of the Arguments above adduced-Relation of the Idea of God above elucidated to all other Ideas of Him. The idea of a System of Theology. Theology defined-Postulate, Axioms, &c., in Theology-Kind of Proof pertaining to each particular Attribute-This science to be evolved in the light of the Works of God, Material and Mental, and of the Teachings of Inspiration- Theology, Natu- ral and Revealed-Difference between Mystery and Absurdity in Theology-Absurdity defined--Mystery defined-Mystery and Absurdity defined in another form-Fundamental Charac- teristics of Real Revelation from God-Revealed Theology defined-Defects of Method in the common Systems of Theo- INTELLECTUAL PHILOSOPHY. CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION. Classification of the Sciences. ALL substances may be ranged together under two general divisions, MATTER and MIND. This arrangement presents a twofold division of the sciences, to wit, PHYSICAL and MENTAL; a division not strictly universal, but sufficiently comprehensive for our present purpose. Object of Mental Philosophy. Mental Philosophy is the science of Mind, and of the human Mind in particular. Its object is a correct classification of the phenomena, for the purpose of a full and distinct development of the Powers, Susceptibilities, and Laws of the human Mind. This department of inquiry being completed, Mental Philosophy, as a science, then ascends to an investigation of the wide field of Moral Obligation, for the purpose of developing the extent, limits, and grounds of human responsibility. What is to be expected from such Investigations. We The field before us is of almost boundless extent. are not, therefore, to expect that any one treatise will present all that may be known of the human Mind. All that I hope to accomplish, is to introduce the inquirer to the science, and give to his inquiries in respect to it, a right direction. His own investigations will then lead him to exhaustless treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Mental Philosophy, as a Science, possible. Every substance in existence is known, and can be known by us, through and only through its respective phenomena. This, with us, is the changeless condition of knowledge in respect to all realities which lie around us in the universe. Every power or substance in existence is knowable to us, so far only as we can know its phenomena. The question, then, whether Mental Philosophy is possible to us, depends wholly upon this, whether the Mind, in the action of its varied powers and susceptibilities, is so revealed to itself, that it can know its own operations or phenomena ? To this question, but one answer can be given. We are so constituted, that we have a knowledge of whatever passes in the interior of our minds. This power, or law of our Mental Faculties, explain the fact in whatever manner we please, is denominated Consciousness, which is a faithful witness of whatever passes within us. On the authority of Consciousness, all men do and must rely. Here Scepticism itself assumes the garb of positive faith: for in the language of Descartes, “let a man doubt everything else, he cannot doubt that he doubts ;" and "he cannot doubt that he doubts" for this reason, that he cannot but rely, in some form or other, upon the testimony of his own Consciousness. Not only are all things which pass within us given as phenomena of Consciousness, but we have also the power of retaining these phenomena under the eye of the mind, until we have fully resolved them into their original elements, and marked their characteristics. This power or exercise of the mind is denominated reflection, and is conditioned on the Will. Mental Philosophy then becomes possible for the same reasons, and on the same conditions that physical science, or Natural Philosophy is possible. Facts equally undeniable, and equally distinct and palpable, are given as the foundation of both sciences. All that is required in either instance, is, that our researches be conducted upon right principles-that we introduce into our investigations nothing but actual facts, -that these facts be correctly arranged and classified,-and that none but legitimate conclusions be drawn from them. |