New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-04-12
NEW PUBLICATIONS.


name the Spirit of Inquiry and which gives origin 10 Phi
losophy by philosophy is to be understood the high
est explanation which has attained Of the frame Of
things in the midst Of which he finds himself placed and
part of which he IS But if this definition be correct it is
obvious that the philosophy Of age may be very diff
fereDt thing from that Of another knowledge progress
i've and the resulting insight becomes clearer and deeper
with the lapse Of time. Plato constructed philosophy
than two thousand years ago. and therefore in the
fancy positive knowledge lie understood nothing Of
heavens above of the earth beneath nothing of the
order Of nature the laws Of tho universe and conse-
quenty nothing of his own being in its largest and tuest
Interpretation 1t therefore, it must have been
philosophy with nature left out. Turning within no
opened the questions which in consciousness and
thus founded Metaphysics The mind was assumed as the
of nature and the fountain Of TRUTH and 1t was
believed that by pure medtaton-the naked power OF
thought-Inan could solve all the problems of tho world
This system prevailed for centuries and finally exhausted
itself in the empty schoasticism of the middle ages
Modern science took its rise in complete inversion Of
the ancient method began by observing the facts OF
the outward world and cautiously rising general prnc
pies which might be tested by oil. One department Of
nature after another has been explored science after SCI
has asen and vast body of verified and product
I've truth has been called into being What mighty mean
ings do find in such terms astronomy, cool
ogy the seasons climate, heat, electricity, light mag
netism the elements, combustion, growth, decay, dl-
gestion respiration circulation, innovation oerebraton
life force law meanings Of which the ancients knew alb
soutey nothing Nor is the modern method without its
Astounding and priceless fruits which stand in glorious
contrast with the scsnty and worthless results of the old
procedure Through science has subordinated the
energies Of his uses has developed her mex
haustibe materials has extended and multiplied the pro-
il. tlo- al wi
umphs theyare supreme atestations that Nature has
been questioned Alright that is coming to better
understanding of his possibilities and position, and the
truth is beginning slowly to dawn that his earthly destiny
is nothing less than to accomplish his unfolding
through the development of the planet which has been
given into his charge Social and political changes wide
and profound the subverson of old institutions and the
growth of new indeed nothing less than the reorganza
on of human relations has flowed from this progress Of
Inquiry into the Of nature and the laws of mans
physical surroundings.
But these material and social but the result
of new modes of thinking. The new heavens and the
new earth but understanding Of the universe
Scientific discovery amiarizes with advanced con-
reptions and establishes better principles of inquiry The
spirt of doubt and the demand for evidence are neu
rated the fundamental of valid thinking, while
reason presses her memorable inquest into the objects Of
of hu man interest and universal moment.
But Notwithstanding this great intellectual revolution
This altered direction of the very axis of intelligence by
which all the high questions of human affairs have be
come readusted it still possible for round
In the old traditional rus of thought they can still g
more the entire realm of modern knowledge and busy
themselves with the neverendng questions of metaphys
les. Because such the scope Of philosophy two thou
sand years ago. they thatit is STILL But the mis-
take is immense. For while the problem Of philosophy
remains essentially unchanged to unfold andexplain the
true order of the world and thus throw clearer and bet
ter light upon the nature of man. how multiplied are now
The factors and how different the possible solution If
philosophy aspre to DO the regulator of human thought
1t must first become the master Of human thought II
mus. grid itself to the submest task that the intellect
has yet proposedto grasp the great principles of
science in their encyclopedia range-to organize the
comprehensive and solid results of the worlds thinking
md coordinate the varied and fagmentay truths Of
Deach into grand organon of principles that shall be
faithful reflex of the verify of things that shall combine
the authenticity Of science with the full breadth Of
lure, and bectne guiding and trusting light to
through the vcsstudes of his earthly experience In the
Tin and chaos of and parties in the confusion of
Doctrines and conflict of opinions amid the groupings Of
nespondency and the exaations Of hope yearn for
the voice Of nature for the consultations and encourage
ents Of philosophy which has the Divine warrant Of
Accordance with the realities Of the universe 1t the
aim of ancient philosophy to bring thought into harmony
with thoughts it is the higher aim Of modern philosophy
70 bring thought into harmony with things
Probably no man has clearly dscerned this exalted
REQUIREMENT of the present age as Mr. Herbert Spencer
Ye published some four five years ago complete out
line of a new philosophical system which evinced
broad and lucid perception Of the intellectual needs and
possibilities of his time while the parts already accom-
hed proye that he who could admirably map out the
scheme, is also eminently the man to execute it,
loving student Of nature from boyhood, fascinated
NTH science and giving himself to its systematic pursuit.
hod and independent as q thinker, unincumbered with
university traditions Of highly philosophical turn OF H.
cury master of style Of remarkable cealess and force
and finally of deeply conscientious nature and profoundly
sympathetio with all healthful social ameorations he
combines rare accomplishments for the imposing task
Nor were his claims without recognition The author
Vt work upon social science pronounced by many the
most original and suggestive treatise yet produced npon
me subject the author of work upon Mind declared by
perhaps the best Judge in EuropcMr John Stuart Mill
Ito be zone of the finest examples VIC possess Of the
psychological method in full power and the author also
of various essays upon wide range Of topics, which, in
their ANONYMOUS publication had arrested the marked at
tenton of thoughtful men, Mr.. Spencer publicly and
thoroughly justified in entering upon his great under
taking
The fundamental question in awork Of this kind is Of
course that Of method What is the ainteprstng con-
cepton that is TO give unity to the schemo More and
more is the conviction deepening that nothing in nature
Is tobe understood by ITSELF but only in relation to other
parts and to the whole The ties of inerdependence are
close and universal; the understanding Of one thing
throws light upon Others and the mastery Of each helps
60 the comprehension Of ALL This truth has found
preston in such works as Mrs Somerves "Connexon Of
Ar. phvs;nal SoianceaU Humboldts 0Cosmos and the