History of the Philosophy of History

Front matter

PHILOSOPHY OF HISTOEY "TOO SWIFT ARRIVES TOO TARDY AS TOO SLOW." — Shakespeare. HISTORY OF THE PHILOSOPHY OF HISTOEY BY ROBERT FLINT CORRESPONDING MEMBER OF THE INSTITUTE OF FRANCE ; HONORARY MEMBER OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF PALERMO ; PROFESSOR IN THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH, etc. WILLIAM BLACKWOOD AND SONS EDINBURGH AND LONDON MDCCCXOIII AU Rights reserved " AS THE EARTH BRINGETH FORTH HER BUD, AND AS THE GARDEN* CAUSETH THE THINGS THAT ARE SOWN IN IT TO SPRING FORTH ; SO THE LORD GOD WILL CAUSE RIGHTEOUSNESS AND PRAISE TO SPRING FORTH BEFORE ALL THE NATIONS."— Isaiah. "DIE GESCHICHTE 1ST DAS WISSEN DER MENSCHHEIT VON SICH, IHRE SELBSTGEWISSHEIT. — SIE 1ST NICHT 'DAS LICHT UND DIE WAHRHEIT, ' ABER EIN SUCHEN DANACH, EINE PREDIGT DARAUF, EINE WEIHE DAZU ; DEM JOHANNES GLEICH : ovk ?iv rb <pu>s, a\\' 8ti fMOTvp-f)trri ixepl tou <Pwt6s." — TDroysen.

HISTOKICAL PHILOSOPHY IX FRANCE AND FEENCH BELGIUM AM) SWITZEELAM) UY ROBERT FLINT WILLIAM BLACKWOOD AND SONS EDINBURGH AND LONDON MDCCCXCIII aHI Rights reserved P E E F A C E. Almost twenty years ago the Author published a volume in which he endeavoured to describe and criticise the principal attempts which had been made in France and Germany philosophically to comprehend and explain the history of mankind. Had he. not been called soon afterwards to a position which required for a considerable number of years al most exclusive devotion to a different order of studies, that volume would have been followed by one dealing in a similar way with the course and succession of historical phdosophies in Italy and England. But be fore he could resume the work, he had become so con vinced of the necessity of altering and enlarging his plan, as well as of endeavouring to improve the execution, that he bas allowed the volume which he had published to remain out of print for nearly a dozen years, during which it has only been known through the excellent French translation of the late M. Carrau.

He now believes himself to be able to make his work, instead of simply a connected series of studies, a real and comprehensive history ; and, if life and strength be granted, to carry it on steadily, although not per haps rapidly, to completion.

Preface

. VIII For the reasons stated in the Introduction, the Author deems it impossible to describe the course of historical philosophy in a detailed, orderly, and useful manner, otherwise than by tracing it in the first place in its national channels. He desires so to do this that his work may be not merely a history of a department of philosophy, but the history of an interesting and in structive phase of the intellectual development of four great nations — France, Germany, Italy, and England. Believing that in few, if any, spheres of activity are national tendencies and characteristics more clearly dis cernible than in that of historical thought, he hopes that the present volume will be found to be to some extent a contribution to the history of France, as well as of the philosophy of history ; and will equally en deavour to give to subsequent volumes not merely a general and philosophical, but likewise a special and national interest and value.

The volumes being so far relatively distinct will be published separately, although they have a common subject. The one now issued has beeu a considerable time passing through the press. Hence some writers treated of in it when alive are now dead. Hence also a considerable number of books which would probably have been referred to if they had appeared earlier are unnoticed. The best thanks of the Author are due to his learned friend, the Rev. W. Hastie, B.D., for his assistance in revising the proofs of the entire volume, and for many helpful suggestions. Johnstone Lodge, Craigmillar Park, Edinburgh, 20./. November 1893. CONTENTS,