
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1899 edition. Excerpt:... LECTURE XX SPIRITUALISTIC MONISM Laws of Nature used in two senses: (a) as implying substantial causes; (6) as implying only constant relations. Does the substitution of the latter for the former enable positive science to clear itself of all anthropomorphic taint 9 No, for (1) its method and assumptions prove it to be a human instrument; (2) it shows that things are ordered by measure and number, but not what they are themselves. Subjects with intrinsic qualities, and causally efficient, are facts of experience prior to and independent of it. It must come to terms with these when challenged. We say then: Either it is itself intelligent or there is intelligence beyond it. Either it is itself causally efficient or there is a causal agent behind it. But for an answer to these questions Naturalism refers us to Agnosticism. And Agnosticism again betrays it. Mr. Herbert Spencer's answer examined. A First Cause is "a necessary datum of consciousness, but cannot in any manner or degree be known in the strict sense of knowing." Nevertheless, his Unknowable turns out to be uthe same Power which in ourselves wells up under the form of consciousness." What Mr. Spencer means by 'knowing in the strict sense.' The Kantian distinction of determinant, and reflective, judgment brought to bear. The agnostic use of 'Phenomenon' criticised. Appearances do not veil reality. As a further objection to a spiritualistic interpretation of Nature, it is said that there can be no mind behind it, for it is never interfered with. This objection due to a confusion easily exposed. Moreover, when we divest ourselves of the scientific bias, and contemplate the world in its historical concreteness, we can see the true reality to be not a mechanism but a Bealm of Ends, 258...
Page Count:
78
Publication Date:
2013-09-01
Publisher:
General Books
ISBN-10:
1230318895
ISBN-13:
9781230318899
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