New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-01-01
NEW PUBLICATIOS.

In the opinion of the author OF th- N"ie' Fl" ~
reconcilcd by the true theory of knowledge cs'No-
rshod upon sound philosophical principles AS "
contribution to that end he presents the views con
famed in the volume although he is perfectly aware
,La+ fine cnupleion of the final philosophy must be
The work of many minds hrOug coming generations
A comprehensive survey Of the relations between
science and religion in different ages OF the ""f"'
and in different aspects Of thought. leads 20 Vh'
conclusion that neither the Positive Philosophy nor
the Absolute Philosophy can furnish an exhaustive
theory Of KNOWLEDGE the former, DIR. Shields re-
marks, because 1t would ignore the "ho!e h'el'-
pitvs.c.l region which is largely occupied
Inv revelation: the latter because II would
snuersede revelation throughout that region IN the
future aud final philosophy, reason vii! be mace 10
appear concurrent with revelation. and human
Science rendered harmonious with divine olhhis-
cencc.
SIR William Hamilton, as the. author alleges
ncted an important part in laying the i"nnHaiioh'
for a final philosophy. No philosopher IN modern
fines has 81 strcnuously underworld 10 set due
bounds to the cOgnitive instinct. or has brought 10
the task such transcendent powers. The philosophy
of the conditioned as set forth by Sir William Ham
ilton had decidedly wholesome influence as a
check upon the philosophy of the absolute " II was
the protest of robust Scottish common sense AGAINST
the yagaries of German Observation-Disclosures and the
dazzling concentrations Of French eclecuclsm
Appearing at a critical juncture, II has already
restored more healthy and masculine
tone TO all modern thinking. But he ana
not pretend to build mp anything III
Mace of the systems which he destroyed. lie
rather strovc to demonstrate that We have ne!ther
fonudotiou nor material for absolute science, ana
that all efforts to that end must from the very ma
ture Of the case prove unavailmg. HIS usclplrS
have made a use of his doctrine of neScience when
he could not have approved. Hence we behold on
the one hand a theolOgian like Dean ManSe resoly-
ing the material of faith into pure contradiction
and on the other, philosopher, like Herbert Spcn-
Ger who denounces the impiety that claims to pen
citrate the secrets of the Power manifested TO us
through all existence" TIE cant of divines. says
the author is thus becoming the creed of thinkers,
while the speculations of thinkers are made the dog
mas of divincs.
The problem accordingly, which is now 10 he met
rs n logical Cancellation of the Absolute Philosophy
and the Positive Philosophy in some one final phllo-
SONNY which shall be their sequel and complement.
The comparison by DR.. Shields between these TWO
systems is luminous and instructive. In strict
sense as lie explains the terms. the word Absolute
denotes that which is absolved or looscd from any
necessary relation which exists t. itself, IN It's
own interior essence, neither conditioned nor mod
flied by our cognitive faculties Tie word Posi-
tive denotes that which is posted or fixed in some
contingent relation; which appears as manifested
to us under its phenomenal character, and either
conditioned or modified by our cognitive faculties
Hence the Positive must also he finite, embracing
uIy manifested existence while the Absolute may
also he infinite embracing all real existence: me
Positive deals with Things only aS they poSl1Vey
apnear with facts and the laws of facS OF, III othcr
words, with the uniformity Of succession ara CO.
existence among phenomena The AbsOlutlst onthe
cOutrarv deals with things as they absolutely are ;
with realities and causes or, IN Other ""Tus' WIZ
substances, essences, noumeh; occ9it poWtI; anu ~
In he M
practical. logical and exact; man OF fact =, VINO
SCOTS al ideas the mere chah OF things, ana Is nos
t. he reasoned out Of his senses ihe ADSolu'lSt ~
his habit of mind. is contcinpaJYe' ,apst2act; ana
Theoretical q man of ideas, who eSchewS fhciS IS
the mere hgsks of truth, ana 1? NOT TO o. P".
twist holds doctrine of human nesccncc. lie main
tains that man is so limited by his cognrtiye facu-
ties, that he can never know things as tncY are III
themselves The AbsOutSt holds doctrluc OF hui
man omnisCicnce. Real knowledge, he in SiStS must
he the same in man as in God not restricted Ia mere
Phenomena but an apprehension Of things as III
reality and often the very opposite OF Their APP
pearance.
The author firmly believes in the Cancellation OF
thesc phiIasophical antithescs. Both systems he
contends. are deeply rooted in the human mind ard
have grown for centuries in history The germs of
both are found in every sound mental constitution.
History refuses to accept tendency more than
the other but regards both alike lneradicabe ana
universal
This ideal of a final philosophy is carried ont by
the author with cogcncy of reasoning and copious-
mess of illustration. His whole book is remarkable
as plea not so much for harmony Of sentiment as
oruniyerSaty of thought. Taking lis stand on the
identify of the human intellect, he vigorously urges
the recognition Of its inherent tendencies. without
allowing one element to predominant over another.
His motive is not the mdu gence OF catholic spirit
much less an aversion TO the contest for rutr and
an efeminate love of concession but clear 2erccP-
ton that every faculty of the mind Is essential
to compass the whole domain OF human knowledge
that every variety of character of taste, of mental
tendency must be enlisted in the cOnquests of uni
ycrsal Thought; and As it takes "the whole church
to preach the whole gospel" it requires all the wiz
dom and wit of man 10 estab sl sound philosophy
In the course of his work. DIR. Shields endcay0Ts To
cover the entire ground of philosophical speculation
and il must be admitted that he has lett lew pom Is
of magnitude unnoticed. His calculations, how
eyer-Often only few lines OF rctereDce-aIe neC6S-
sarily 50 brief TO demand good deal of previous
knowledge the part of the reader Tor tnclr
full comprehension. He betrays an extensive
range of philosophical studies, remarkable
familiarity with the successive aspects OF sl"cII,
laiOn. aud rare power OF perception ana
appreciation Of different systems and theories,
as well as transparent lucldty IN the eNp9-
tion CleaTness Of apprehension or pcrapculiy oil
statement, recent publication Of the American
press conspicuous than this volulnc;-lt Is
greatly to be regretted that work OF such sh"pey
propOTtOns and attractive exterior should have bccu
80 grossly matrcaed by the proof readers especially
in the matter Of proper names. One. need hot bI
very thln-sknned to be dlsgaSted with the 0Tthogr@
ply, of which We give Il few OF the most glaunt
Examples: Bertley Up. 81, Bnrkcly Up. lG'N, Barley
(p 1872 Bossuet lp 500, Gregg i223l, Sir HUMPING,
Davy Opp. 10l l23, l2sD, Judge EdrT6s i9I :'uog'
Edmonds, y. 40, TuUcttjn Up. 4lSl, Inesue
%. 1876 $50. Shopenhauer Up. l9l 21I, go ~
William Thompson (p. 1901, lynd0t lp. lO7,, Arch
bishop WhatclCg ~. 374), WOOldStOn tfoI ollastOn
p. As.