New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-01-19
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
r,sKr,s CC.nuC PHILOSOPHY.

In these volumes OtuoltS Nho oNSNtm VI N"NNe'N
which brings the phenomena of the Universe
into relation with Que another considered
ms the corollarics Of SINGLE primordlal
fruth concerning the omnipresent Existence OF
which they are the manifestations This sys-
ten is based the doctrine Of Evolution, as set
forth Ivy Mr.. Herbert Spencer although 1t Is mere
presented in n more popular form of exposition ana
with broader development of its practical apphea
tons than are to be found in the writings OF tna'
philosopher. The domain of science, accoru,hs ~
Mr. FiSke, is relative to the human mind' anu uO''
not extend to metaphysical speculatlous VII" 10
gard to the origin of the Universe the nature VI
the First Cause. or the ultimate constitution Vi
matter or of mind. The difference between phlos-
-, 81 e.ionce like the difference between Sci
enc and common knowledge is difference only in
degr.e Philosophy, however, embraces wider
range of thought than can he claimed for sciences
the relations which it foTmulatCs are more general,
abstract and remote; and il presents larger and
more complex organization Of general truths INTO
coherent svstem. To he more precise il may be
affirmed that common knowledge expresses in
single formula particular truth respecting par
ucular group Jf ph nOmena; science expresses IN
single formula general truth respecting an entire
order Of phenomena; philosophy expresses in
single formula universal truth respecting the
whole world Of Phenomena Hence philosophy oc-
cupjes il ancient ground that of the study of the
Cosmos. although it IS limited to the study of pho
noIn.ua not oi roumena of evolution not OF crea-
tiou, oi Laws not Of purposes.
The Lext question, which Nr. Iiske discusses, re-
latcs 30 tlc test of truth, rs the object oil human
thought Truth may De Professionally defined as the
corrcSpondcuce between the subjective order OF our
eoncept ils aud The objective order of the relations
among taius But it philosophy concerns itself only
% WITH p'enomeua, aud can never attempt TO deal
with cIiecive realities, now can this correspondence
b. aScortaIucd This is pregnant question, 10
which tnc substance cf Nr. Nskc's reply is as fol-
lows, When any given order au0rg our conceptions
i, so coherent lh4t t canuo be suudered except by
The temporary auuibiltlOn Of OF its terms,
there must he q corresponding order among phenom-
ena since the order 81 conceptions is the express
sion of oar experience Of the erdor of phenomena
What we c reality j. the Inevitable persistence of
fact If consciousness Hence, concludes Mr..
L eke when the unknown objective order Of things
produces in rs n subjective order of conceptions,
which persists in spite OF every effort TO change It,
the subjective order is i'm every respect real TO Us
as the effective order would he if could know it.
This is all The assurance which need as war
rant for science and safeguard against skepti-
cism. We lose nothing in being unable to transcend
the conditions within which alone knowledge is pos
sihle Experience is merely the consciousness of
tbe manner in which affected by the incom-
prebeuslble Universe. Hence our inability to trans
oend the limits of experience is a guarantee of
the validity of the conceptions which guide daily
life and upon which our philosophy must be built
Having thus explained the criterion of scientific
truth Mr. Fi,ke proceeds to consider the doctrine of
Evolution, which he regards as the most important
achievement OF science philosophy since the time
Of Sir Isaac Newton. The successful coordination Of
the phenomena formulated by the law of Evolution,
he afrms, was q task involving the exeTtiOn of men
tai powers less extraordinary than those required
by the demonstrations of the Principal. Newton
and Spencer resemble each other in the bOldness Of
speculation which suggests profound hypothesis, and
in the scientific sobriety and patience which verify
them; while the marvellous mathematical genius Of
the one is Parallcled by the equally unique power Of
psychologist analy sis exhibited by the other.
The exposition of the theory of Evolution. which
OCCUPIES large portion Of the work. proceeds from
few simple principles bat expands into series of
details aud illustrations which are at once too COM
phcated aud too aGstruse for discussion in col
umns IGtarts from the fact that the attractive and
repulsve forces of Nature in their reciprocal action,
necesState perpetual rhythmcal redistribution
of the i tier and motion of which the phenomenal
universe is composed. This eternal rhythm is
manifested in alternate eras of Evolution and Disso
luton, in Which at one time the concentration of
matter and dissipation Of motion predominant. and
at another the diffusion of matter and the absorp-
ton OF motion. The process Of Evolution, during
which matter is concentrated and motion is lost,
suits. under certain conditions, in continuous
change from a state OF hOmogeDeity. indefDitenoss
and indifference to state Of hetcrogeneity. definite
ness and Conference. This stupeDdous process
according ~ the author, extends through
all the provinces Of Nature. 1t is wit
messed ia the development of our planetary
system from a homogeneous bali Of vapor
1t is seen in the physical and chemical diversity
of the various portions Of the cooling EARTH and
in the transformation Of the solar radiance into
the energy of winds and waves of growing plants
and animals. aud Of human strength and intelli-
Rence. "When one takes a country ramble on a
pleasant Summers day, one NAV fifty ponder upon
the wOndrOus significance of this law of the trans
formal on Of energy Il is wOndrOus to reflect that
all the energy stored w in the tmbers of the fences
and famhouses which we pass, as well as in the
gIindstone and the AK lying beside it, and in the
iron axles and heavy tires of the cart which stands
tipped by the roadside; all the energy from moment
to moment given ont by the roaring cascade and the
busy wheel that rumbes at its foot, by the undu-
lating stalks of corn in the field and the swayiDg
branches in the forest beyond by the birds that sing
IN the tree-tops and the butterflies to which they
anon give chase. by the COW standing in the brook
and the water which battles her lazy feet by the
sportsnen who pass shouting in the distance as well
~ by their dogs aud guns that all this multifom
energy is nothing but metamorphOsed solar radiance
and that all these various objects, giving life and
cheerfulDcss to the landscape, have been built up
into their cOgniZable forms bv the agency Of sun
beams such those by which the scene is now rem
deIed visible. We may well declare with Prof. Tyn-
nah that the grandest conceptions of Dante and
milton are dwaTfed in comparison with the truths