The times., 1901-06-02

! this underlying sentiment of idealism and
might thus properly be connected with
the whole building. 1t cannot be tech
nical philosopher Such name would
indicate prejudice for special system
of philosophy. while we want above all
freedom of thought. IT CLght to be an
American. to remind the young genera
| tion that they do not live up to the hopes
Of the School Of Philosophy if they simply
learn thoughts imported from other
parts of the world. but that they them
selves as young Americans ought to hei0
the growth of philosophical thought. II
ought to be a Harvard mana man whose
memory deserves mat his name be daily
on the lips of our students. ana whose
character and whose writing will remain
a fountain of inspiration. Only one man
fuliflls all these demands perfectly. Ralph
Waldo Emerson. II is our wish and hope
that the new. digniiied, beautiful home of
philosophy may soon rise as the moral
and intellectual centre of Harvard Uni
Nersity and that over its doors we shall
see the name, Emerson Hall-School of
Philosophy"
The $Srvard philosophical department
as il eXisAi at present is the creation of
the last twenty-five years The growth
of the department has been remarkable
even within the last two or three years,
and its popularity is an illustration of the
new interest in philosophy among Ameri-
can undergraduate and graduate students.
The number IF teachers is twenty-siX
professors. two assistant professors. four
instructors, two teaching fellows. and six
=
ed. covering history of philosophy. meta
physics, theory of knowledge. psychology.
logic, ethics, aeStCticS. philosophy OF re-
lgton. philosophy of science, sociology.
and eduCatiCn-so various are the branch
es included in present day philosophy
even after the restriction which modern
usage has placed upon the word. The at
tendance in all courses last year was
over 1000 students. The Introductory
courses alone We're attended By almost
200 students-that is by a number cor
responding to the size Of the junior class.
Naturally, however, since the department
has for many years considered the ID
vancement of lSno' ledge as its highest
on the graduate work now being done
under its direction. Altogether ninety
six students have taken part this last
year in the so-called graduate courses, of
whom seVenty-one took strictly re
search" as differentiated from merely
lecture, courses. In this special class of
courses, it appears. no other department
makes a stronger showing.
These statistics are perhaps necessary !
in order to explain satisfactorily the
character of the building which it is now
proposed to erect to EmerSon's s memory
as planned. must always largely depend |
on the activity of the department which |
II is Intended to house. Curiously enough |
Emerson has not yet had his memorial in |
either Boston. Concord, or Cambridge, al |
though 1t is understood that a bronze |
statue, by Mr. Daniel c. French, the |
sculptor Of the Minute Man at Con /
cord, may some day be placed in the in |
terror court OF the Boston Public Library. |
But doubtless Emerson himself would /
school of philosophy as Harvard now |
hopes to erect to his memory as her chief |
If not altogether the greatest !
OF her long line of famous graduates.