The New York herald., 1874-09-30
Theories of the Philosophers of An
tiquity Contrasted with Those
Of the Present.
THE MATERIALISM OF THE BRAYMlNS.
Principles Of Order and Adaptation in
the Universe Considered.
The Arguments Of Number, Time, Color and
Form, rs Manifested in Nature.

PRINCETON, Sept. 90, 1874.
presume | am safe in asserting that the ad-
vent OF Tyndahsm has taken the world some
what by surprise; not that the "atomc theory"
first advanced by Democrltus and subsequently
stripped Of its absurdities by Lucretius is new
not that from the earliest history of civilization
mp until the present IL Eas not had It's own accom-
plished disciples; but because in his former lit
erary and philosophical efforts Professor Tyndall
has given SO little that would lead US to anticipate
the theories which recently he has pronounced.
Toe reader OF his works, have no doubt, was first
enabled TO gain an insight TO his peculiar convic-
tons through the medium OF his Alpine essay upon
prayer; subsequently physician, acting under
Professor Tyndals dictatlon, evolved an essay of
an extraordinary philosophical nature in one OF
the numbers or the C0ntempOT'd1y Reuieao; but
still think but few OF his admirers indeed but
lew of his associates were prepared lor his last
announcement iOr the simple reason that 1T has
taken the general literary and scientific world en-
rireiy by surprise.
great deal OF our so-called modern philosophy
Is plagiarzed from the ancients; great deal that
many regard as new Is simply paraphrase of the
Old; but whenever any particular theory is ad-
vanced by any school, no matter whether it be
new or old, the best mode OF securing It's merits
and defects Is by referring IL or analysis to dis
ciple OF another school directly opposite and an
tagonlstic to itself.
AN INTERVIEW WITH DIX. MCosH
/ have just concluded an interesting interview
with Dr. James McCosh, President OF Princeton
College. have submitted the views Of Professor
Tyndall TO him, and below VIII be found his re-
sponse. At the time Professor Tyndall gave his
convictions to the world DR.. McCosh was in mid
ocean, passenger OH board one of our transatlan-
TIC steamers Immediately upon his arrival he
senior OK
answer TO Professor Tyndall, which. however, was
much more cuTtailed and unsatisfactory than the
interview given below DR.. McCosh informs me
Of his refusal to submit 10 New York daily his
opinions concerning TyndaIlism. and states that
his forthcoming essay in regard to it Will be
published in the International Repie,c. Approach
ing DR.. McCosh in the seclusion of his own
private library, l held with HIM the following
conversation
"Dr. McCosh," said ], "what do you think of
Professor fyndall as purely scientific manr'
81 regard him as eminenty respectable as n
scient tist," was the response. "wni!e as an ex-
pounder OF science nave always found him able
and interesting. judging him from his last work,
however, while he shows cunning method OF dis
playing scientific research, he clearly proves him
self a novice IN philosophy He has borrowed a
great deal Of what he states, and regret TO say
ne has not always relied upon the best recognized
authorities Tor his information"
Taking my cue from what you have Just
spoken" was my next remark, 81 presume that
Professor Tyndall makes for the support Of his
theories great many references to the philosophy
Of the ancients ~
Eyes, certainly" answered Or. McCosh, ''and ig
Is in this connection that he makes a great many
Dlunders. He lniers that the majority OF the an
clients were materialists, when IN reality It was
the anclents who first claimed that behind nature
there was an intelligent, designing cause. He
represents the ancients exactly the reverse Of
what they really were-as those who had no per-
ception OF this designing cause. aud as those who
utterly ignored 1t. This is great error for man
OF Tyndali's culture and emlnence TO make Hun
dreds OF years before Christ the materiasm OF
the Brahmins was undermined by Confucius in
CHINA and numerous contemporaries in other
quarters OF the world. great deal that am
telling you now has already appeared under my
name in print; bur in order to give you precisely
what you wish 1t is necessary Tor me to begin at
the beginning Of philosophy and to state to you
my Impressions during every stage OF its deve-
0pement."
DESIGNING CAUSE.
"Of what philosophy Is the idea that behind ma.
ture there was designing cause the productg'
queried.
'Thc idea Of designing cause was advanced
even In the old philosophy OF the Greeks. 1t was
they who 1rst sought che great idea that was be-
meath nature, and that had wrought all things In
the system and order III which they were behed.
The lonics, the Pythagoreans, the Eleatics and
AnaXagoras, each one proceeding step by step to
solve the difficult problem until finally the latter
came TO the conclusion that behind nature there
was designing cause which conlormed all things
TO order and harmony. Then came Democrtus
with his atomic theory but his atoms are des-
but also Of sensation. The successor OF Democ-
ritus was Socrates. It is useless for me to make
an analysis Of his philosophy its grand and noble
truths have never until this day been overturned.
1t Is also useless for me to dae further upon the
systems OF philosophy which have been promoted
during the different ages OF the world. Suilce 1t
to say that consider Professor Tyndall to have
ignored the past; to have ignored tpe circum.
stance that for almost 900 years philosophers have
been forced to recognize the existence OF a primal
Intelligent designing and responsible cause"
Doctor" said ], 'do you, therefore, deny
utterly the doctrine OF evolution ~
'By no means, for by doing so l would deny
Holy Writ The Scriptures undoubtedly recognize
the theory Of evolution, but when people use the
theory to account for the existence Of everything
they see around them believe they 60 too far.r
What Is the falacy OF the theory when carried
too far p,
"Tne fallacy is that evolution implies something
10 oe evolved from. Before evolution can origl-
Eate thcre must needs be a first fofm"
"How does Tyndal regard this first iorm?"
LAS an atom. But his notion OF the first form
1ails to account for numerous important particu-
lars that we everywhere see in the world around
us.v
"The atomic theory as advanced by Democritus
Is not, then, the atomic theory OF TyndallYp
'Oh, no." replied the Doctor; 'the theory of
Democritus was full OF ridiculous absurdities. lt
was not until Lucretius the great Latin poet,
promulgated the theory That we derived any cor
rect idea OF It's Importance
"From what you have told me presume that
yon consider there are many Things that Tyndars
materialistic theories will not account ior. If 80.
what are theyY"'
"TyndaIl's theory will not account for typical
ATma In taking an euIargea Wow OF Tho cnnrli