The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-09-23
THE NEW PHILOSOPHY.

Professor Josiah Royce, in answering a
question concerning the advisability of
adopting philosophy as study essential
to liberal education, has answered boldly
to the effect that no study should be taken
up merely as task for the ben
eft of the mental drill which it is
expected to impart, and that the
best results come from the pursuit OF
studies through a liking for them. He de-
cries the theory of studying the higher
mathematics solely for the mental exer-
else, and asserts fondness for athletic
sports to be an explanation of the prof.
cheney which their followers achieve in
them.
This is in effect the new philosophy
which has given rise, particularly in Ger
many, to the science OF child-psychology a
leading feature of which is to ascertain by
study and observation the natural bent OF
each young students mind. 1t is, in short,
the science of the personal equation ap-
piled to that time of life when nature gives
its first hint of individual peculiarities.
This is a prominent feature of the system OF
education at Stanford University, and we
are aware Of the fact that number of Cali
fornia teachers have gone to Germany to
perfect themselves in the science.
1t is the beginning of new and alto
gether revolutionary phase of education.
Very likely the Froebel kindergarten sys-
tenn has been the inspiration. This system
takes children before the disciplinary force
of their general and special environment
has operated to level them, and at time
1rbar +ba natural inolipa+iop r,oapifaste
itself very strongly, after the fashion of in
stinct. The kindergarten opened the eyes
of the world to the astonishing varieties
and variations of childish inclination and
to the freedom and boldness with which
idiosyncrasies are manifested.
The philosophy seems the most rational
imaginable, and none the less so because it
happens to strike at the root of established
systems of instruction. What proportion
of the SORROWS and pains of existence are
chargeable to the system of bringing ali
youthful minds and tastes under one form
of yoke it would be impossible to imagine,
but it would be difficult to find an adult
who does not look back upon some study
or other regime of his childhood with
horror. Character has been warped, intel
lect Impoverished and hopes and ambi-
tons destroyed by this dreadful form OF
discipline.
And yet the new idea is so radical as to
have dismaying aspect. That discipline
is one of the most useful things in the
world cannot be gainsaid. and that wonder
full results have been achieved by persist
ent drill in particular occupation in the
absence of any desire to pursue it, but on
the contrary in the presence of great loath-
ing for it, has been demonstrated lnnumer-
able times. This phase of the subject,
added to possibilities of changes in natural
bent as development proceeds and the pos
sibility OF error on the part of him who
undertakes the task of deciding what the
prevailing inclination of the child may be,
invests the matter with labyrinth OF diff
culties. In spite of these, however, the new
philosophy promises wonderful things and
offers a bright hope for the future of the
race.