New-York tribune., 1879-11-14

ner Of the modern metaphysics OF which he hmsen
the head physiology Professor Bain the great
psychology. and Mr.. Herbert Spencer, the most po
found philosopher and theologian lie would even go
50 far as to persuade himself. and perhaps HIS
readers, that Locke, Dcscartcs, spnoza' """
Kant at one with him on ''
important principles, and worthy OF the "'h"
est respect prophets OF the new pWlosop"l'
After a vigiiant examination OF Professor huN'vS
statements In regard 10 the theories "f De-e"'''S
Hume Locke and Kant, which evinces familiar "c-
quantance with the history aud development oi phi'-
osophca opinions. President Porter concludes 'he us
cusson with vigorous protest against inc sha'o" an"
presumptious spirit with which tHe prominent questions
of modern science are treated by their leadng expound
ers The superficial ignorance Of ideas to wIch men OF
the highest rank In the world OF thought have attached
supreme Importance is an omnous sign. Men OF
scientific sprt retire beyond fighting distance into
two separate camps, instead of engaging IN brave ana
strenuous controversy. President Porter earnestly dep
recaes the angry fulmnaiions Of ignorant rehgonists
on the hand, and the contomptuous noseunngso OF
one-sded science the other, equally hostile
the progress of thought and the interests OF truth
Mr. Hume he afrms, did greater damage to the world
by the uncandd and frivolous spirit, which gre"
out OF his distrust OF scientific certainty, than
by his direct attacks on religion. In ike manner
Professor Huxley is more dangerous on account "l MS
habit Of unscIentic and superficial philosophizins
than by the positive aid which his sneers ana hs u"l
matism have furnished 10 scientific unbeef. In open
ing his review of The Data OF Ethics" President NC
Gosh remarks that Herbert spencer commands our re
spect by his terrible earnesness lie has an end to i've
for lives for 1t. For at least thirty years grand
system of speeuativc physics founded the recent
discoveries In biology, has been Iipenng In his mih1
and he must unfold IL the worl1 with or without en-
couraeement from his external surroundings. TO
large extent he the author OF the theory OF develop
ment He is certainly its most eminent organizer ana
exponent He evolves the doctrine in the confident as
surance that II will triumph every obstacle and
bong ali environments into accordance with lis action
In regard Mr. sponccr's assertion that moral iniunc
losing authority gwen them by their
supposed sacred origin. DIR. McC0sh very justly re-
marks that however true this may be OF the school OF
which Mr.. Spencer is the head, of the circle asso
ciated with him in London, and Of his cor
respondents various countries, 1t may he doubted
true of men in general even educated men,
of Americans, particular, who probably nave as
firm faith morality with Divine sanctions as they
had and likely readily to part with it, Dr.
MeCosh then proceeds with an ingenious parallel be-
tween Spencer aud Hecel as philosophers which viii
perhaps be regarded by readers familiar with both
writers remarkable for pausbiiiiy than depth
Spencer, he a0lrms, occupies much the same place
among the EngshsPeaking peoples as Hegel did among
the Germanlc age Both are distinguished
for speculative abilities of the highest order. Both
would embrace all nature, mind and matter, in their
vast and indefinite systems. Both absorbed in
their be dsinclined 10 look at the views
OF others. Both exert powerful influence over young
men 10y the dcgnatism Of their assertions and the com
proenslvcncss of their theories which seem TO explain
what cannot otherwise be accounted for In other re-
spects they widely differ. Hegel bad an extensive.
though not AN accurate acquaintance with the philoso-
pliers of ancient Greece and modern Germany, but
had no firm footing In physical science. spen-
Ger has large knowledge of the recent dis
coveries in the sphere of organic law. but has
not apparently studied the phenomena Of mind
in fbp uf
these ATE founded the facts of matter and motion.
Hegels is below the horizon. the sun OF Spen-
Ger is at zenith. What may be the estimate of his
philosophy the end of the century, Dr. McCosh does
not undertake 10 predict. But he ventures u believe
that there is much IN his system which will abide ana
ne adncres to the opinion formerly expressed that his
bold generalzations are always instructive, ana that
OF them may In the end be established as the pro-
fouudest laws the movable universe" In tacklng
tue Data OF Ethics" DR.. McCosh remarks that Mr.
Spencer does not upon himself and does not wish
to be regarded by others, as sceptic. On the
contrary, his philosophy demands a large amount
of faith. In particular, he admits certain
truths as Incapable OF being proved. but which
must be accepted by all His criterion of
first principles though imperfect and never expressed
in proper form, is sound as far as II goes and may
serve g5od purposes The first important criii-
cism made by DR.. McCosh the 4" Data OF Ethics is
that gives account OF the emotion called forth by
the perception OF moral OF immoral action We can
conceive Tor instance, OF deceit as Oelhs goou OF
bencvolonce. This " first principle" of ethics
which Mr.. Spencer does not recognize. Nor docs he
make moral good affection or voluntary act, nor
even IA mental operation or state. 1t is whatever as
means on the whole promotes pleasure. DR.. McCosh
ON the contrary maintains that moral good Is mental
act or state, and that IT implies intention lie admits
that Measure is good and that II is be promoted
an end, but It Is not the only good. nor even the
highest end. Whatever means promotes happiness
is not necessarily virtue. In order to be morally good
il must be intended promote happiness by agent
A telescope, an electric telegraph. telephone may
greatly increase the happiness Of the but they
t,nly cannot be classed virtues ike honesty. and
Justice and elf-sacrce. We do Offer moral iudg
mcnt on the tue reptile the Bird of the dog
the elephant. Until man appears with conscience
pointing to moral law, there is nothing which
he called moral or immoral Mr. Spencer accordingly,
in the opinion Of Dr. McCosh has not found scientific
basis for the principles Of right and wrong. In
fact he has not properly entered the domain Of
morality The objections to his system. which, however
are chiefly OF negative character, drawn out
with considerable amplitude OF detail aud maintained
with a certain degree Of philosophical acumen. IN
pont OF syle author is lucid and Orcibe
Indicted TO too familiar Illustrations for digned dis
course and perssting his peculiar mannerism of the
uu-Engsh use Of trM for shall and shdH for WW thus
setting a vicious example before the ingenious youth
of Princeton and the American world of letters in
eral II may be added in closing that the monthly ap
pearance OF the Princeton Review" continues to be
perpetual surprise Its pages teen with matter OF the
most profound significance. discussing themes OF
highest philosophical and religious import and bringing
to the task mastery OF intellectual weapons. anu
plenitude OF literary resource TO which parallel
scarcely be found in the current periodicals OF any
nation.