Choose an application

• Reference Manager
• EndNote
• RefWorks (Direct export to RefWorks)

Philosophy

Choose an application

• Reference Manager
• EndNote
• RefWorks (Direct export to RefWorks)

Philosophy

Choose an application

• Reference Manager
• EndNote
• RefWorks (Direct export to RefWorks)

Political philosophy. Social philosophy

Choose an application

• Reference Manager
• EndNote
• RefWorks (Direct export to RefWorks)

This treatise is called a Text-Book, because it has been purposely thrown into the form adapted to the class-room, rather than that adapted to general reading; and to intimate, at the same time, that it is offered to the public, not so much as a new contribution to the matter of the science, as to its form. However, it will probably be found about as original as the other treatises on the subject, which have appeared since the principles of the science have been so fully developed. To ignore what has been done by others is simply proof of folly, not of originality. A book on such a subject as this, to be up with the times, must embrace the best views of previous investigators. Could I promise this with regard to the present treatise, I should deem it a much better commendation than any pretence to unusual originality. As it is, I can only say, that I have endeavored to make myself acquainted with the views of the best thinkers on the subject, and have not hesitated to adopt them when I could present no better of my own. I wish particularly to acknowledge my indebtedness to Sir W. Hamilton, to whom I am under obligations far beyond what is implied in the number of direct quotations from his works, and to whom I might have been under still greater obligations, had not this treatise been virtually completed before the publication of his excellent Lectures on Metaphysics. What is here presented is confessedly but an outline; and, as a text-book, it should be only such. Whether we consider the wants of the pupil or those of the teacher, a text-book should be brief; it should contain only the fundamental facts and principles of the science to which it is devoted. The field of science is so extended, that only the most commanding and essential features can be surveyed in a general course of education. Where there is so much that is important, the mind of the pupil should not be encumbered with what is unessential. Something should be left to be supplied by the teacher, and something to be learned by after study. An outline is all that ought to be committed to memory by the pupil, and all that is required by the teacher, as a nucleus around which to gather supplementary and illustrative matter. If the present treatise shall be found adequate to such a purpose, it will fully meet the expectations of the author. The brief abstract of the history of philosophy, subjoined in an appendix, it is hoped will not be wholly devoid of use. It may at least stimulate the curiosity of the student to know something more of a subject so rich and varied. Both the philosophic aptitude and a correct view of philosophy are best acquired by viewing the subject on many sides, as it has presented itself to different speculators, in different ages and various parts of the world. The abstract contains, of course, but the merest hint of the views of the different philosophers and schools; but I have studied to convey in these hints the leading idea and distinguishing character of each system. Aiming at a mere abstract of the history, I have not always felt bound to consult the original works of the authors, but for the most part have been content to follow such competent guides as Ritter, Tennemann, Stewart, Morrell, Schwegler, Chalybaus, Lewes, Archer Butler, and Hamilton.

Intellect --- Philosophy.

Choose an application

• Reference Manager
• EndNote
• RefWorks (Direct export to RefWorks)

Philosophy --- Homer