Introduction to philosophy

Introduction To Philosophy

THE MACMILLAN COMPANY

MACMILLAN & CO., Limited

THE MACMILLAN CO. OF CANADA, Ltd.

TORONTO

INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY

WILLIAM JERUSALEM, Ph.D.

Lecturer in Philosophy and Pedagogy at the University of Vienna

Authorized Translation

{From the fourth edition) By

CHARLES F. SANDERS, A. M.

Professor of Philosophy, Pennsylvania College, Gettysburg, Pa.

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THE MACMILLAN COMPANY 1911

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Copyright, 1910, By THE MACMILLAN COMPANY.

Set up and electrotyped. Published December, 1910. Reprinted December, ign.

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Author's Preface

The translator desires me to write a brief preface for the English edition of my Introduction. First of all, I wish to express my gratitude that the little book has been considered worthy of being presented to the English speaking world in their own tongue. I should like to add, furthermore, that I am greatly indebted to English and American thinkers for inspiration and suggestion which I regard of the highest value. Herbert Spencer taught me to think genetically and from William James, whose recent untimely death fills us all with profound sorrow, I got the idea of making psychological analysis the basis of my philosophical investigations. And in the new pragmatic method, which likewise originated in America, I have found a theory to which I had been led independently by my own investigations even before hearing of its American exponents.

My book aims to accomplish a twofold purpose. It seeks to help all who find an interest in philosophy to an acquaintance with the language and the problems of philosophy, and thus to stimulate independent reflection. My constant motto in the presentation of the problems and the various solutions which have been proposed has been objectivity, perspicuity and brevity. The propaevi AUTHOR'S PREFACE

deutic adaptability of the book has been acknowledged by the German public as shown by the fact that four editions were required within ten years (1899-1909). I can only wish that English readers will judge as favorably of my method of exposition.

The second aim of the book is to examine the problems themselves and make some contribution towards their solution. Even in the first edition I denned my own attitude to all the various problems, and these divisions of the book have constantly been increasing in comprehensiveness in the successive editions. The fourth edition, therefore, from which the translation is made, likewise contains my philosophical system in mice. Although my own theory must certainly have influenced the presentation of the problems and thus permeated the entire volume, my distinctive views have nevertheless been brought together and stated coherently in Sections 27, 33> 37> 4 2 , an d the Concluding Reflections.

My philosophy is characterized by the empirical viewpoint, the genetic method and the biological and social method of interpreting the human mind. Adherence to these principles has brought me rather close to pragmatism in epistemology. I have, nevertheless, attempted a further development of the pragmatic concept of truth. This method of interpretation has attested its value as a heuristic principle in Aesthetics and Ethics and led to the discovery of new results.

The empiricist assumes an entirely different attitude to the problems of metaphysics from that of the critical apriorist. I undertook to show in my address at the

AUTHOR'S PREFACE vii

Heidelberg Congress of Philosophy (Kongressbericht, p. 806, ff.) that apriorism contains a latent metaphysics of which its exponents are frequently unaware, and which only becomes apparent when its presuppositions are consistently thought through to their logical conclusions. The evolutional thinker, on the other hand, always understands perfectly that it is utterly impossible for experience to attain to ultimate facts. But, due to the ineradicable, metaphysical impulse the empiricist is obliged, with full consciousness of what he is about, to transcend experience. If this is done in harmony with the methods attested by scientific investigation, the result not only answers a deeply felt need, but it is at the same time fully justified scientifically. I shall never surrender the hope that this method will some day make it possible to harmonize philosophy with pure religion, and bring the synthesis of faith and knowledge to its perfect consummation.

One thing, however, is certain, Philosophy dare no longer devote itself to speculations that move in the airy realm of the transcendental and sentimental. It must come down to the level of reality with all its real, frequently brutal and glaring contradictions. It must teach us to understand life itself ; it must strive to enrich this life, to increase its scope and depth, and at the same time define its ideal and destiny.

Wilhelm Jerusalem

Vienna, September 10, 191Q viii AUTHOR'S PREFACE

Note: After the foregoing comprehensive Preface there remains nothing for the translator to say except that he was led to the undertaking by the exceptional excellence of the author's method in presentation and exposition which has resulted in the production of such an excellent guide to the student of philosophy. It has been the aim of the translator to make the author speak English. We have in a few instances made a few additions to the Bibliography. C. F. S.