The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-12-19

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Z. CAxsnrpos. Dsc lathe philosophical sky
at Harvard these days II very thick with clouds
that hASp partly burst and are likely TO
cause eevere tempest Philosophers are gen.
orally considered By the layman to be ex-
tremely orderly, retiring individuals. who are
SO deeply engaged In deducins conclusions
from major and minor premises that they
hardly have time TO be like ordinary men. But
Prof Royce Of Harvard and DR.. Abbot Of Cam
bridge. two renowned professors. have allowed
their philosophical offerings to develop into q
fierce and personal quarrel.
The origin OF the chickering's arose last sum-
mer when Prof. Royce. rs one OF the editors
OF the International journal Of Ethics. reviewed
Way Out Of Agnosticism." The following
spirited paragraph caused DR.. Abbot to vow
eternal vengeance against Prof. Royce:
But Dr. Abbo,'s way is not careful Is not novel, and.
when thus forth the people new and bold and
American Il 70 likely 10 DO precisely much harm TO
careful inquiry Il gets influence over immature OF
imperfectly trained minds venture. therefore, to
speak plainly By way Of professional warning to the
liberaiminded public. concerning Dr.>Abbots philo-
sophicai prstsnsion and my warning takes the form
Of saying that people TO think in this infused
way. uncouscously borrowing from great Spectator
like Hegel and then deprvtns the borrowed ooncsp'
ton Of the peculiar subtlsty Of statement that made
useful in It's paceand We readers are for our part
70 accept such scholastcsm 10 found In Dr. Abbots
concluding sections At all resembling philosophy
then were far bsttsr for the world that reflective
thinking whatever should be Done. II We can't i'm.
prove what God has already put into the mouths OF
the babes and suckng let ~ at all events mako some
other uss Of our wisdom and prudence than IN setting
forth the american theory" Of what has been In large
part hidden from ua ~
DR.. Abbot. full OF indignation. prepared .
reply to Prof. Royce. which. however. was sup
pressed. Il ought not to be suppressed. be-
In his reply br. Abbot said:
Dr. Royce outstrps the limits Of legitimate literary
y: s.!as. ssS :apss ga ssasS.e:ss ,Is
psUn e
assal Dr. Royce prcsumes to ascu.e ms fal,siy ana
q .1Iass
rs: :s;:s Il: s;
e m S e G .s for S
piagisrist. and an impostor.
DIR; Abbot described his reply .;tempsrats;;
az %sen rspa
0 sSySt sna EeG IN eg & fox
ings In case DR.. Abbot,s retort should be
printed os pamphlet That moved DR.. Abbot
to appeal 70 the. President and fellows Of the
University. on, the general ground that they
fessors It 10 redress Of grievances" that
Or. Abbot ssys he wants. As Dr. Abbot at one
time was o member Of the Harvard faculty. his
that Of Prof.. Royce. The whole subject Of re-
dress Of grievances has been referred to the
ment, but the probable outcome will be the vim
dicatiop Of Prof. Royce.
Until last summer Prof. Royce and pr. Abbot
were the philosophical Damon and Pythias OF
Cambridge. They would often walk together.
arm In arm. discussing the realization Of tho
Dr. Abbot would occupy Prof. Royce's chair In
philosophy when that noted reasoner was ab:
sent for day. But the ties OF friendship exist