Fundamentals of philosophy / Walter S. Gamertsfelder and D. Luther Evans

Preface

The present work attempts to provide textbook material for a thoroughgoing introductory course in philosophy. The authors have sought to meet the intellectual abilities of a beginner in philosophy without disparagement to the recognized dignity and difficulty of philosophical knowledge. Nearly all of the chapters are revised statements of material which, in mimeographed form, received extended testing in actual classroom use. To facilitate the studying of the book, special effort has been made to acquaint the student definitely with the outline followed by the authors in the organization of their discussions.

The general standpoint of the book is that philosophy is the preéminent instrument for the evaluation, unification, and justification of the higher cultural interests of man. Specialization of thought and action is, of course, recognized as a necessary condition for the progress of the human race, but the narrowness of intellectual outlook which frequently characterizes the contemporary specialized mind seriously needs the correction and supplementation of the criticizing and harmonizing ministries of philosophy. Science, morality, art, and religion must be investigated individually and analytically if their origin, nature, and value are to be understood; but, after all, they must be treated as interpenetrating and interdependent if the unity and extent of human experience is to receive adequate appreciation. This norm of the oneness of knowledge legitimately requires, we believe, that philosophy should be faithful both to the established findings of science and to the persistent claims of the spirit. To the authors, the notion which seems most satisfactorily to meet the ideal of a sympathetic vii viil PREFACE interpretation of man and the world is the concept of personality. It will be observed that, in the discussions of personality, the idea of community receives a prominent place. ,

The general plan of the work may be regarded as combining the problem approach with the historical point of view. The method adopted seeks to furnish the reader with information and a technique for meeting the fundamental issues which constantly confront the reflective individual of the present day. In providing this aid we have taken care to acquaint the reader with the works of the ereat thinkers who, in the history of culture, have been the outstanding interpreters of human experience. The origin and development of the important philosophical doctrines are, therefore, treated in considerable detail. In no part of the work has it been our aim to present the student with an array of conclusions to be accepted without question; but throughout the book we have desired to stimulate an appreciation of the wholesome critical attitude of the truly philosophical approach. Where one or another of contending views seems to be especially favored, it is only to indicate that the authors have not wished to treat their subject matter in a wholly impersonal way. This purpose of treating extensively all sides of controversial problems has resulted in a text which demands but a modicum of collateral reading. The references at the end of each chapter will prove helpful, however, to those who wish additional knowledge on the subject.

The preparation of the manuscript was shared equally in every respect by the two authors. Certain chapters naturally were written by one of the authors, but frequent conferences and continuous correspondence have resulted, we believe, in a book possessing unity of plan and thought.

Our debt to the philosophers of the past and present is, of course, inestimable. Frequent use of the language of others is an obvious recognition of this indebtedness. We are indeed thankful to the many publishers who gave us

PREFACE 1X permission to use quoted passages. To Professors H. T. Houf, J. R. Morton, Emmett Rowles, and L. M. Heil, and to Mr. HE. C. Shimp we are very grateful for reading portions of the manuscript and for making valuable suggestions.

Wauter 8. GAMERTSFELDER D. LutHer Hivans

Part THREE

THE PRINCIPLES OF COSMOLOGY AND THE NATURE OF REALITY IX—TuHeE StTrRucTuURE oF THE MATERIAL WorRLD X—THE EvoLutTionarRy Process IN NATURE . XI—TuHE Concept or LIFE IN THE THEORY OF EVOLUTION XII—TuHeE ProspueM or CosmicaAL MECHANISM AND TELE- OLOGY XITI—THE QUALITATIVE CHARACTER OF ULTIMATE BEING .

XIV—THE QUANTITATIVE NATURE OF THE REAL WORLD xi

153 191 229 268

295 334 378

410 450 487 xii CONTENTS