New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-03-12

dination of Nature. which the Darwinian pOstulatcs
on appropriate occasions. The outcome OF Darwin
ian evolution lis that the OF natural history
has been in an unbroken lne that the origin OF AMI
nal and vegetable species stands on The same loot-
ing as the rest of Nature But this Professor tray
maintains, should not be denounced as athelstic'
practical atheism, or as absurd. From the ma
ture of the case. this conception can never De
demonstrated; but il can be believed and is coming
TO be largely believed; and agrees with doctrine
alleged to have been taught by philosophers ana
saints, by Lebnitz and Malebranche. by Thomas
bquinas and Augustine. IL would be rash az well
as unjust fotheiss to assert that this conception
IS opposed TO thesm The religious idea of Nature
Is that OF an ordered and fixed system of forms ana
means working to ultimate ends. II this is our
idea of inorganic nature, it holds still more firmly
when we pass from things to organisms. to crea-
lures which are themselves both means and ends.
The cardinal demand of theology. Professor Gray
affirms is not n system which may DO adjusted to
theism nor even one which finds its most reasonable
Interpretation in theism. but one which theism only
can account for If more is demanded. such evil
dence for instance, as will compel belief III per-
sOnal God, the demand cannot be met by any
method within our control Experience shows that
the opposite hypothesis IS possible. Some persons
rest IN il. but few probably on scientific grounds
The affirmative hypothesis, Professor Gray AYERS.
affords a practical conception of how the world
of forms and means" is related TO "the world
of worths and ends" The negative hypothesis gives
mental or ethical satisfaction whatever Like
the theory Of the immediate creation of forms, It
explains nothing Whatever view we take of the
subject, the author affms in the conclusion Of his
work. the outcome of the vast and partly compre-
henslble system. as concerns us. which under one
aspect we call Nature, and under another Provi-
dence, and in part under another, Creation, Is seen
in the emergence of free and self-doteIminng
personality, which being capable OF conceiylng It,
may hope for immortality.
The condnct of tine discussion by Professor Gray
is marked by caut0usucss of statement, fairness OF
reasoning, temperance of Judgment, and critical
reserve and impartiality. He is evidently sincere
lover OF truth. but more nten. It's ascertanment
than on its illustration and enforcement. lie uses
no arts to present it in a captivating light, and aims
rather to settle and clarity his convictions
than to recommend them to the acceptance OF
Others. The modesty of his nature forbids the use
of dogmatc assertion while his chaste literary cul-
ture and transparent good preserve him from
tie rhetoric OF the pulpit and the defamation of
the platform in the treatment of themes of vital
religious import.
HISTORY or MATERIALIsM. BY FREDEaIcK 4lEfE l
H. I2mo. pp. S01. HougG,oD Osgooi, CO.
The present volume of this important work !
treats of English and French Materiasm in the eish
eenth century, with account Of the reaction in Ger
many under the influence OF the critical philosophy OF
Kant, and the progress OF philosophical materam In
connection with the natural from that time to
present. The end of the dealstic period in Ger
many according to Professor LANCE is marked by the
French Revolution ofJuly 1880. with that distinctive
event, epoch commences in the history Of
speculative philosophy, which had lost its charm |
since II entered the sphere OF absolutism. IL |
was now regarded with universal distrust |
In poetic literature had become stated |
with Romanticsm, and nOe OF frivohy siruck by |
Heine in the country OF Schiller The author regards
FeueTbach the father OF modern MateTalism, who |
comes prominently upon the stage in 1910. and wcs |
soon followed by MOleschot. VOgt, and Buchner, who
have become conspicuous leaders Of the move
ment. the last of these writers is described by the |
author as keen and relentless critic Of the negative
stamp but 1t affirmed that his negaon is not the
suit of arid and purely critical understanding but
OF an eager enthusiasm for the progress OF humanity
Biichner he asserts OF essentially dealisc nature
He was distinguished early period OF his for
his literary poetical Studies and by his in
style. He applied his abilities TO scientific re-
searches and the popular exposition of the results
Of physical discovery TO political and social pro-
gress Bat he broke with his politi- |
cal tendencies. limiting the exercise Of thought |
TO the sphere OF experience, and thus denying, |
not only speculative inquiry and religious fath but ali
poetry that clothes ideas in hguratye expression. Both
and Bichner frequently exhibit genuine
pho .ophica in the Of single ques
tons but as often themselves in scarcely Ineligible
trviaties. Professor LANCE closes this volume with
some significant remarks In regard to the relation be
tween philosophical Ideasm and Materiasm and their
reciprocal influences and consequences. lie maintains
thorough scientific investigation necessarily carries
the student of Nature beyond the limits OF Matcralism
We are compelled conceive the universe OF science
phenomenal world by the side OF which the phenomena
of mental hfe despite their apparent dependence
matter remain essentially of foreign and different
character Strictly speaking scientific research
does NOT produce Materlalism; but neither does
it rcfute IL; least IN the in which most OF its
opponents demand its refutaton for the limits of
material knowledge In their true by means
sufficient for this purpose. 1t requires considerable
degree OF philosophical training 10 thus find the solu
ton OF the question and be with solution
Still scientific inquiry cannot maintain neutral atti
tude towards Materalsm II ia chance that
revival materialstic theories In Germany has been
almost entirely owing scientific The material
istc order thought lies exclusively within their field
OF view There are only two conditions under which
this consequence can be avoided. The lies behind
vs. namely, the authority OF philosophy aud the infu
ence Of religion; the other sim IN the future the
general spread OF philosophical culture among the
students or physical science. III dhcIcnJ Umes,
Matealism remained sterile OF Its obstinate
adherence TO Gogmstic prejudice and had little
taste for bold and novel ideas. The Ideaistc
school, the other hand, gave antiquity the richest
fruits OF scientnc knowledge. far more favorable
account Of Ma,erialism be given, regards it's
special inventions and discoveries in modern times.
Idcasm Is its very nature meiaphy sica speculation,
though the representative OF higher unknown truths
In the witness Of the all agree. Bn ideas
are poetic births Of the individual often sufficiently
powerful whole nations with their charm, but
never universal and still less mnuable But ideas
as Indispensable FOR the progress Of the sciences facts
They 90 not necessarily lead to metaphysic although