New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-09-25
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
ROMANS MODERN PHILOSOPHY.

The point Of departure adopted ny froi' bowen III
this volume is the conviction of the truth OF DIVINE
Revelation and She validity of the Christian con-
oon,on If the Deity. He chershcs no fear that the
ancient traditions of Chrstendom will be exlled
from the prevailing faith Of civilization by the re-
,nlts Of modern philosophy With this confidence
he enters upon his work with no soruples from
religions timidty and perhaps with deepcr sense
of Justice in describing systems of speculation when
are the opposite OF his own belief. His purpose
however is more comprehensive than that OF tne
re1storian Of philosophy; he subjects the theor
ies which he discusses to a cautious Criticism an
alyses their proofs, and weighs their conclusions IN
an impartial balance; although he conducts ms
examination in the interests Of clear statement ana
sound logic, rather than IN the spirit OF controversy
Commencing his researches with Descartcs who
NAV Justly be regarded as the father Of modern
philosophy. he follows the course of speculation
in the writings Of MalebTanche, SplnOza, Lelb-
niiz. Kant. Fehte, Schclling, and Hegel, down
10 the more recent expositions Of Comte ana
the English Positiyists, dwelling at length on tne
remarkable Developments of Thought III the 'eac'-
ings Of SchopenhaGer and Hartmann, who appear 10
have taken by storm the world Of philosophy on the
Continent OF Europe, aud vOuchsahng hut compaIa-
lively little attention 10 the names OF cir "lliiain
Hamilton. John Stuart Mil, Herbert Spencer, and
the powerful school, especially represented by the
among English thinkers.
Tn one Of his chapters on Describes Prof. Bow
en- takes occasion TO discuss the idea of God III
the soul OF man. which he justly considers as belong
ing TO philosophy, at least much as TO theology
and which might indeed be said to form the Key
note Of speculation rs well Of religion. AS the
author remarks. this idea the central point OF
the system OF Descartes. Malehranche and spnoza'
and almost equally of Leibnltz and the iater.Oel-
man NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS., less than OF the eminent
thinkers of our own day who veil the inexphcable
being and essence of the Deity under the names OF
the Absolute, tie Universal VIII, the Unknowable
and the Unconscious Al these terms attest the
reality of the idea which. in some Of its FORMS Is
primitive in the human mind. The analysis OF
Irof Bowen resolves the idea into three cardinal
forms First. the primitive idea OF God, which
is innate in the secret depths of con-
seriousness. forming the germ Of all subsequent
conceptions on the subject. Second, the metaphys-
cal idea of God, as the Infinite and the Absolute
necessarily existent, eternal, immutable, evolving
creation from his own essence, though without
designing il. as he is without purpose, without
affection, and even without consciousness, or any
distinct attribute Of personality. Third the Chris
tian idea of God as the all-wisc Providence and
moral governor of the Universe with distinct and
conscious personality that of any member OF the
human race In his further discussion OF the
subject, Prof. Bowen makes some important
concessions. Neither Of these ideas, he maintains,
taken exclusively by itsefis adequate conception
ofHim whom it partially represents. Each alone 10
deceptive and illusOry, leading TO untenable con-
sequences But each contains some aspect OF truth
which is wanting in both the others. Hence, their
combination is necessary to a worthy conception of
the Deity But such combination is a matter or
difficulty Many Of the attributes which We strive
rrae,, to0ather onrpor on closer examination,
be incoucevable IN thought and irreconcilabe with
each other. Our conclusions seem at variance with
facts or with orr most cherished convictions. or
with those necessary laws of thought on which
all reasonings depend We find ourselves
either cropping in the dark, or blinded by
excess Of light But we learn upon reflection that
these difficulties srisefrOm the necessary limitations
of the human intellect They not inherent in this
one object Of thought OF peculiar to single line Of
inquiry They meet on every hand, whenever
we attempt 10 transcend the sphere of the limited
and the finite. We cannot grasp the unreasonable.
We cannot descend to the atom, or mount to the
absolute beginning of things The attempt 10 know
ANYTHING whatever as it really it, in its inmost
essence Is as futile the ambition of the child 10
grasp the MOON In thislne of thought it is remark
able that Prof Bowen takes the ground as
MI Herbert Spencer, a philosopher whom he anus
ingy affects to look down upon and of whose merits
he shows a curious lack OF appreciation.
But Prof. Bowen continues. if cannot fully
comprehend God, neither we fully understand
ourselves. Space aud time, substance and cause,
pure being and personal being man and God must
be accepted as ultimate and inexplicable facts. No
difficulty energies ia theology, as Sir William Ham
ilton suggests, which had not previously emerged
III philosophy. The first principles of mathematical
and physical science as inconceivable as the
first principles of theology.
Passing over large space Of philosophical dis
cusson. which includes an elaborate exposition of
Rants "Crtiquc of Pure Reason" we come to the
latest representatives of German speculation, SchO
penhauer and Hartmann, who have given a new
turn TO transceudental thought in Europe, and
rekindled the fires of audacOus theories which
seemed to have expired in the ashes Of obsolete
systems In the opinion of the author the writings
of Schopenhauer show more literary and specula-
tive ability and brilliancy than those of any of his
German contemporaries Though not a model of the
beatitudes in his personal character. selfconceed,
irascible suspicious literary Ishinael in his whole
career he obtained an insight into many truths of
great moment, which he defended with more wit,
originality and vigor than had eve been bestowed
upon them before. Prof. Bowen confesses that
he has read some parts Of his works with more in
struction and deli ght than those of any other meta
physician of the present century Even his reckless
ness is set forth advantage as it enabled him
TO express his ideas with pquant raciness, which
more scrupulous thinker could never initiate.
As master of style. of literature of sarcasm, the
author regards him without a rival in Ger
many, and perhaps among the writer's of any
country at the present time. Macaulay is not more
keen in ridiculing theory, nor Votare in dissect
ing an opponent. He writes more, we are told like