Studies in Theism |
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Page 5
... present facts ; but if we choose to be skeptical , we can say that this necessity does not prove their reality ; and we can say it in this case with as much justice as in the case of theism . Another point to be borne in mind is , that ...
... present facts ; but if we choose to be skeptical , we can say that this necessity does not prove their reality ; and we can say it in this case with as much justice as in the case of theism . Another point to be borne in mind is , that ...
Page 14
... present in every mind . This mistake has kept the empiricists at work ever since the time of Locke , hunting in the minds of babies and savages for failing cases of universal truths . The self - evidence of the truth is its fundamental ...
... present in every mind . This mistake has kept the empiricists at work ever since the time of Locke , hunting in the minds of babies and savages for failing cases of universal truths . The self - evidence of the truth is its fundamental ...
Page 19
... present knowledge where it is . A profounder insight into their structure would not overturn their known laws . Where , then , is the opposition between absolute and relative knowledge ? The true antith- esis is that of more or less ...
... present knowledge where it is . A profounder insight into their structure would not overturn their known laws . Where , then , is the opposition between absolute and relative knowledge ? The true antith- esis is that of more or less ...
Page 20
... present knowledge . Here the phenomenalist appears , and expresses his delight at finding us agreeing with him in rejecting all ontological and noumenal knowledge . The truth , he says , on which all great thinkers are agreed , is ...
... present knowledge . Here the phenomenalist appears , and expresses his delight at finding us agreeing with him in rejecting all ontological and noumenal knowledge . The truth , he says , on which all great thinkers are agreed , is ...
Page 53
... presents the world as a plurality of objects of various kinds . Finally , we sus- pect that even this view does not give us the deepest fact , but that things which appear are functions of things which do not appear , and that the many ...
... presents the world as a plurality of objects of various kinds . Finally , we sus- pect that even this view does not give us the deepest fact , but that things which appear are functions of things which do not appear , and that the many ...
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Common terms and phrases
absolute action activity affirm agents agnosticism allow anthropomorphism appears argument assume assumption atheist atomic theory atoms belief cause certainly chemical affinity claim common sense conceived conception conclusion consciousness consists contradiction definite deny difficulty divine doctrine elements energy evolution evolutionist exist experience explain external fact feeling finite force ground Hence human hylozoism hypostasized ical impossible independent infinite intelligence J. S. Mill knowledge law of identity laws of thought logical manifestation material materialist matter means mechanical ment mental metaphysical mind moral nature nebular theory necessity never notion noumenon objective objective science ourselves outcome pantheistic perception phenomena philosophy physical possible postulate produce proof prove purpose question reality reason regard relations result rience righteousness scientific sensation simple skepticism soul space speculation substance teleology theory things thought tion true truth unity universe vis viva volition
Popular passages
Page 415 - MAY I join the choir invisible Of those immortal dead who live again In minds made better by their presence : live In pulses stirred to generosity, In deeds of daring rectitude, in scorn For miserable aims that end with self. In thoughts sublime that pierce the night like stars, And with their mild persistence urge man's search To vaster issues.
Page 189 - We are conscious automata, endowed with free will in the only intelligible sense of that much-abused term — inasmuch as in many respects we are able to do as we like — but none the less parts of the great series of causes and effects which, in unbroken continuity, composes that which is, and has been, and shall be — the sum of existence.
Page 217 - Life is not a bully, who swaggers out into the open universe, upsetting the laws of energy in all directions, but rather a consummate strategist, who, sitting in his secret chamber, before his wires, directs the movements of a great army.* 223.
Page 163 - ... and all that they involve. Did that formless fog contain potentially the sadness with which I regarded the Matterhorn ? Did the thought which now ran back to it simply return to its primeval home ? If so, had we not better recast our definitions of matter and force ? for if life and thought be the very flower of both, any definition which omits life and thought must be inadequate, if not untrue.
Page 202 - ... planetary spheres, but also molecularly, or throughout its most intimate structure : thus every alteration of temperature produces a molecular change throughout the whole substance heated or cooled ; slow chemical or electrical actions, actions of light or invisible radiant forces, are always at play, so that as a fact we cannot predicate of any portion of matter that it is absolutely at rest.
Page 221 - If we could view the Universe as a candle not lit, then it is perhaps conceivable to regard it as having been always in existence ; but if we regard it rather as a candle that has been lit, we become absolutely certain that it cannot have been burning from eternity, and that a time will come when it will cease to burn.
Page 204 - The scientific idea of force is the idea of as pure and mysterious a unity as the One of Parmenides. It is a noumenal integer phenomenally differentiated into the glittering universe of things. The Christian who asserts that the unknowable cause of all is an intelligent and affectionate Father, a personal counterpart of himself dilated to immensity, would brand as an atheistic nothingarian the scientist who pauses with the idea of a unit of force, and denies substantive validity to everything...
Page 276 - For contrivance — the need of employing means — is a consequence of the limitation of power. Who would have recourse to means if to attain his end his mere word was sufficient? The very idea of means implies that the means have an efficacy which the direct action of the being who employs them has not. Otherwise they are not means, but an incumbrance. A man does not use machinery to move his arms. If he did, it could only be when paralysis had deprived him of the power of moving them by volition.
Page 221 - Now, it has been well pointed out by Thomson, that looked at in this light, the universe is a system that had a beginning and must have an end; for a process of degradation cannot be eternal. If we could view the universe as a candle not lit, then it is perhaps conceivable to regard it as having been always in existence ; but if we regard it rather as a candle that has been lit, we become absolutely certain that it cannot have been burning from eternity, and that a time will come when it will cease...
Page 202 - ... the whole substance heated or cooled; slow chemical or electrical actions, actions of light or invisible radiant forces, are always at play, so that as a fact we cannot predicate of any portion of matter that it is absolutely at rest. Supposing, however, that motion is not an indispensable function of matter, but that matter can be at rest, matter at rest would never of itself cease to be at rest; it would not move unless impelled to such motion by some other moving body, or body which has moved....