First Principles of a New System of Philosophy

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D. Appleton, 1865 - 508 páginas
 

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Página 65 - The mental act in which self is known, implies, like every other mental act, a perceiving subject and a perceived object. If, then, the object perceived is self, what is the subject that perceives ? or if it is the true self which thinks, what other self can it be that is thought of ? Clearly, a true cognition of self implies a state in which the knowing and the known are one — in which subject and object are identified ; and this Mr Mansel rightly holds to be the annihilation of both.
Página 216 - Evolution is a change from an indefinite, incoherent homogeneity to a definite, coherent heterogeneity, through continuous differentiations and integrations...
Página 480 - Motion as well as matter being fixed in quantity it would seem that the change in the distribution of matter which motion effects coming to a limit in whichever direction it is carried, the indestructible motion thereupon necessitates a reverse distribution. Apparently the universally co-existent forces of attraction and repulsion, which, as we have seen, necessitate rhythm in all minor changes throughout the universe, also necessitate rhythm in the totality of its changes, produce now an immeasurable...
Página 46 - The analysis of every possible hypothesis proves, not simply that no hypothesis is sufficient, but that no hypothesis is even thinkable. And thus the mystery which all religions recognize, turns out to be a far more transcendent mystery than any of them suspect- — not a relative, but an absolute mystery.
Página 39 - We attempt to escape from this apparent contradiction, by introducing the idea of succession in time. The Absolute exists first by itself, and afterwards becomes a Cause. But here we are checked by the third conception, that of the Infinite. How can the Infinite become that which it was not from the first P If Causation is a possible mode of existence, that which exists without causing is not infinite ; that which becomes a cause has passed beyond its former limits.
Página 98 - Though the Absolute cannot in any manner or degree be known, in the strict sense of knowing, yet we find that its positive existence is a necessary datum of consciousness ; that so long as consciousness continues, we cannot for an instant rid it of this datum ; and that thus the belief which this datum constitutes, has a higher warrant than any other whatever.
Página 88 - Besides that definite consciousness of which Logic formulates the laws, there is also an indefinite consciousness which cannot be formulated. Besides complete thoughts, and besides the thoughts which though incomplete admit of completion, there are thoughts which it is impossible to complete ; and yet which are still real, in the sense that they are normal affections of the intellect.
Página 76 - We are thus taught the salutary lesson, that the capacity of thought is not to be constituted into the measure of existence ; and are warned from recognising the domain of our knowledge as necessarily co-extensive with the horizon of our faith.
Página 123 - Let him duly realize the fact that opinion is the agency through which character adapts external arrangements to itself — that his opinion rightly forms part of this agency — is a unit of force, constituting, with other such units, the general power which works out social changes ; and he will...
Página 76 - And by a wonderful revelation, we are thus, in the very consciousness of our inability to conceive aught above the relative and finite, inspired with a belief in the existence of something unconditioned beyond the sphere of all comprehensible reality.* 2.

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