New-York tribune., 1872-01-30

The Science Of Nature rerSuS the Science of
Nan nv NOAH PORTER (Dodd a Mead) f. tho title of
philosophical essay by the President of Yale College, de-
Tending the study OF human against the exclusive
claims OF Comte and other cultiyators Of physica
science who IN the view Of the author, leave out tn,
spirit of from the facts Of the universe He argues
that the recent systems OF philosophy TO which he refers
while protesting he constructed in the spirit OF III,
inductiye method, and after tho analogfes OF
modern physics, present science Of man that
js too defective 10 furnish a basis for any pro
found and accurate science of nature. The
Positive Philosophy Of COmte, for instance, regards
man only OF nervous substance, incased Ill
material SHE'LL OF which the functions merely plysi
oogical While Comte may challenge high degree OF
praise for the bodness OF his problem his exact and
manifold knowledge Of the special Sciences the breadth
OF his goneraizaton and the austerity Of his criticism
his omission OF man, the knowing agent, In pbioso
ply of knowledge, certainly presents no claim to adma
ton In like manner John Stuart Mill, who recognizes
the defects OF Comc and attempts ia supply then has
failed in the opinion of President Porter both i'm his the
Org of mind and OF matter, and also Of the pro
OF induction. lie has not only failed, by
his own confession, 10 provide mind which inter
pret matter but he has less gnay failed provide
for belief In matter the universe OF nature which
il TO interpret While protesting to be The philoso-
pber Of things, he makes provision for knowledge
OF things. OF belief in material world Herbert
Spencer II is rrue cannot be charged with negectng
the philosophy Of man. He stands foremost among
modern writer's, Dr. Porter admits in recognizing psy.
cholOgy fundamental TO AL philosophy, whether Of
matter spirit. He may be said accept spir-
tual phenomena having existence Of their
own right. lie fully acknowledges the rcquiremon nj
that certain principles should he necessary and diouatic
But these promises President Porter contends,
sacrificed TO the merciless demands Of metaphy ysical
theory The law Of evolution is brought upon the scene
but destined like Saturn TO dcvOur its children
fast they produced. According 10 Spencer nun
is pfysiOOgcaly evolved from lees complex type OF
being. Intelligence IL more complex evolution OF life
and life Is the Joint product of interior and exterior
relations But. DR.. Porter contends that the First
Principles" of Herbert Spencer will not stand
the test of rigid analysis. They do not eX-
haust the nature Of man. nor explain his place IN
the spiritual universe Herbert Spcnccrs attempt 10
reconcile philosophy with religion, is pronounced by
President Porter 10 he superficial aud inadequate. Such
is the prevailing tone OF the present volume which adj
ministers repuof 10 the prominent specuations
the present day. that supposed TO be indifferent 10
the Oftest characteristics of human nature The treat
OF the subject j. popular, rather than profound,
and would probably sasfy few earnest nqurers after
truth. At the time, the volume is ATTRACTIVE to the
general reader account Of the lueidy OF its state
rnents and the aptness OF It's illustrations in which
spects sGrpasses the elaborate productions ot the
author,