Of the Principle of Morals in the
new German Philosophy .
new German Philosophy .
Madame de Stael - Germany
Germany / by the Baroness Stae?
l-Holstein.
Translated from the French.
Stae? l, Madame de (Anne-Louise-Germaine), 1766-1817. London : J. Murray, 1814.
http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. 32044051734390
Public Domain, Google-digitized
http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
We have determined this work to be in the public domain, meaning that it is not subject to copyright. Users are free to copy, use, and redistribute the work in part or in whole. It is possible that current copyright holders, heirs or the estate of the authors of individual portions of the work, such as illustrations or photographs, assert copyrights over these portions. Depending on the nature of subsequent use that is made, additional rights may need to be obtained independently of anything we can address. The digital images and OCR of this work were produced by Google, Inc. (indicated by a watermark on each page in the PageTurner). Google requests that the images and OCR not be re-hosted, redistributed or used commercially. The images are provided for educational, scholarly, non-commercial purposes.
? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-12-22 00:48 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. 32044051734390 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? ? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-12-22 00:48 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. 32044051734390 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? ibanrarD College Xibrars
BOUGHT WITH MONEY
RECEIVED FROM THE
SALE OF DUPLICATES
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-12-22 00:48 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. 32044051734390 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
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? I
>>
?
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-12-22 00:48 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. 32044051734390 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? ? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-12-22 00:48 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. 32044051734390 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? ? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-12-22 00:48 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. 32044051734390 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? ? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-12-22 00:48 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. 32044051734390 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? ? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-12-22 00:48 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. 32044051734390 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? GERMANY;
BY THE
BARONESS STAEL HOLSTEW.
TRANSLATED FROM THE FRENCH.
IN THREE VOLUMES.
VOL. III.
A NEW EDITION.
LONDON:
PRINTED FOR JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE-
STREET.
1814.
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-12-22 00:48 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. 32044051734390 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? London: Printed by W. Clowes, Northumberland
Court, Strand.
\
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-12-22 00:48 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. 32044051734390 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? CONTENTS.
PART THE THIRD.
PHILOSOPHY AND MORALS.
Chap. I. Of Philosophy . . Page 1
Chap. II. Of English Philosophy . . 10
Chap. HI. Of French Philosophy . 32
Chap. IV. Of the Ridicule introduced by a certain
Species of Philosophy . . . 46
Chap. V. General Observations upon German
Philosophy . . . " 56
Chap. VI. Kant . . 70
Chap. VII. Of the most celebrated Philosophers
before and after Kant . . 99
Chap. VIII. Influence of the new German Philo-
sophy over the Developement of the Mind 128
Chap. IX. Influence of the new German Philo-
sophy on Literature and the Arts . 135
Chap. X. Influence of the new Philosophy on the
Sciences . . . . 146
Chap. XI. Influence of the new Philosophy upon
the Character of the Germans . 168
Chap. XII. Of the moral System, founded upon
personal Interest . . . 175
Chap. XIII. Of the moral System founded upon
National Interest . . . . 186
Chap. XIV. Of the Principle of Morals in the
new German Philosophy . . 202
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-12-22 00:48 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. 32044051734390 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? iv
CONTENTS.
Chap. XV. Of scientific Morality . Page 213
Chap. XVI. Jacobi . . . 218
Chap. XVII. O/Woldemar . .
Of the Principle of Morals in the
new German Philosophy . . 202
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-12-22 00:48 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. 32044051734390 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? iv
CONTENTS.
Chap. XV. Of scientific Morality . Page 213
Chap. XVI. Jacobi . . . 218
Chap. XVII. O/Woldemar . . 226
Chap. XVIII. Of a romantic Bias in the defec-
tions of the Heart . . . 230
Chap. XIX. Of Love in Marriage . . 236
Chap. XX. Modern Writers of the ancient School
in Germany . . . . 247
Chap. XXI. Of Ignorance and Frivolity of Spi-
rit in their Relations to Morals . 257
PART THE FOURTH.
^ RELIGION AND ENTHUSIASM.
Chap. I. General Considerationt upon Religion
in Germany . . . 267
Chap. II. Of Protestantism . . 278
Chap. HI. Moravian Mode of Worship 293
Chap. IV. Of Catholicism . . 300
Chap. V. Of the Religious Disposition called
Mysticism . . . 316
Chap. VI. Of Pain . . . 336
Chap. VII. Of the Religious Philosophers called
Theosophists . . . 851
Chap. VIII. Of the Spirit of Sectarismin Germany 357
Chap. IX. Of the Contemplation of Nature 368
Chap. X. Of Enthusiasm . . . 388
Chap. XI. Of the Influence of Enthusiasm on
Learning . . . . 395
Chap. XII. Influence of Enthusiasm upon Hap-
piness . . . . 403
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-12-22 00:48 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. 32044051734390 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? PART THE THIRD.
PHILOSOPHY AND MORALS.
CHAPTER I.
Of Philosophy.
The world has been pleased, for some time
past, to throw great discredit upon the very
name of philosophy. The case is common
with all those terms, the signification of
which is capable of much extension: they^
become alternately the objects of benedic-
tion or blame among mankind, according
to their use in fortunate or unhappv periods:
but, in spite of the casual injustice or pane-
gyric of individuals and of nations, philo-
sophy, liberty, religion, never change their
value. Man has spoken evil things of the
sun, of love, and of life: he has suffered,
he has felt himself consumed, by these lights
of nature; but would he therefore extinguish
them?
VOL. III. B
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-12-22 00:48 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. 32044051734390 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? 2 PHILOSOPHY AND MORALS.
Every thing that has a tendency to set
bounds to our faculties, bears the stamp of a
degrading doctrine. We ought to direct those
faculties to the lofty end of our existence--our
advance to moral perfection. But it is not by
the partial suicide of this or that power of
our nature, that we shall be rendered ca-
pable of rising towards such an object: all
our resources are not too. numerous to for-
ward our approach to it; and, if Heaven
had granted more genius to man, he would
have advanced so much the more in virtue.
Among the different branches of philoso-
phy, metaphysics have, especially, occupied
the attention of the Germans. The objects
which this pursuit embraces, may be divided
jinto three classes. The first relates to the
mystery of the creation; that is to say, ti&
I the Infinite in all things; the second, to the
formation of ideas in the human mind; and
the third, to the exercise of our faculties,
1 without ascending to their source.
The first of these studies, that which
applies itself to the discovery of the secret
of the universe, was cultivated among the
Greeks, as it now is among the Germans.
It is impossible to deny that such a pursuit,
however sublime in its principle, makes us
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-12-22 00:48 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. 32044051734390 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? f HILOsdffllf.
3
feel our impotence at every step; and dis-
couragement follows those efforts which
cannot produce a result. The usefulness
of the third sort of metaphysics, that
whkih is! included in the observation of
the actions of our understanding, cannot be
contested; but this usefulness is confined
to. the circle of daily experience. The phi-
losophical reflections of the second class--
those which are directed to the nature
of the human mind, and to the origin
of our ideas--appear to me the most in-
teresting of all. It is not likely that we
should ever be able to know the eternal
truths which explain the existence of this
world: the desire that we feel for such
knowledge, is among the number of those
noble thoughts which draw us towards
another life: but it' is not for nothing,
that the faculty of self-examination has been
given to u*. Doubtless, to observe the
progress of our intellect, such as it exists,
is already to avail ourselves of this faculty;
nevertheless, in rising higher, in striving
to learn whether that intellect acts sponta-
neously, or whether we can only think when
thought is excited by external objects, we
shall cast additional light upon the free-will
b2
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-12-22 00:48 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. 32044051734390 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? 4 PHILOSOPHY AND MORALS.
of man, and consequently upon vice and
virtue.
A crowd of moral and religious questions
depends upon the manner in which we con-
sider the origin and formation of our ideas.
It is the diversity of their systems in this re-
spect, above all others, that distinguishes the
German from the French philosophers. We
may easily conceive, that if the difference is at
the fountain-head, it must show itself in the
derived streams: it is impossible, therefore,
to become acquainted with Germany, with-
out tracing the progress of that philosophy,
which, from the days of Leibnitz down to
our own, has incessantly exerted so great a
power over the republic of letters.
There are two methods of considering the
philosophy of the human mind ; either in
its theory or in its results. The examination
of the theory demands a capacity which be-
longs not to me; but it is easy to remark
the influence which this or that metaphysi-
cal opinion exercises over the developement
of the understanding and of the soul. The
Gospel tells us, " that we must judge of
"prophets by their works:" this maxim
may also guide our inquiry into the different
systems of philosophy; for every thing that
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-12-22 00:48 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. 32044051734390 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? PHILOSOPHY.
5
is of immoral tendency must be sophistical.
This life has no value, unless it is subservient
to the religious education of. our hearts;
unless it prepares us for a higher destiny, by
our free choice of virtue upon earth. Meta-
physics, social institutions, arts, sciences,
all ought to be appreciated accordingly as
they contribute to the moral perfection of
mankind: this is the touchstone granted lo
the ignorant as well as to the learned. For
if. the knowledge of the means belongs only
to the initiated, the results are discernible by
all the world.
It is necessary to be accustomed to that
mode 6f reasoning which is used in geome-
try, in. order to gain a full comprehension
of metaphysics. In this science, as in that
of calculation, if we omit the least link in
the chain of evidence, we destroy the whole
connexion. Metaphysical reasonings are
more abstract, and not less precise, than
mathematical; and yet their cibject is in-
definite. We must unite, as metaphysi-
cians, two of the most opposite faculties--
fancy, and the power of calculation: we have
to measure a cloud with the same accuracy
that. we. measure a field; and there is no
study which requires such closeness of at-
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-12-22 00:48 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. 32044051734390 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? 6 PHILOSOPHY AND MORALS.
tention; nevertheless, in the most sublime
questions there is always some point of view
within the reach of every body, and it IB
that point which I design to seize and to
present.
I put a question one day to Fichte, who
possesses one of the strongest and most
thinking heads in Germany, whether ne
could not more easily tell me his moral
system than his metaphysical ? " The one
"depends upon the other," he replied; and
the remark was very profound: it compre-
hends all the motives of that interest which
we can take in philosophy.
We have been accustomed to regard it as
destructive of every belief of the heart; it
would then indeed be the enemy of man;
but it is not so with the doctrine of Plato,
nOr with that of the Germans: they consider
sentiment as a fact, the primitive phaeno-
menon of mind; and they look upon the
power of philosophical reasoning as destined
solely to investigate the meaning of this
fact.
The enigma of the universe has wasted
the meditations of many, who have still
deserved our admiration, because they felt
themselves summoned to something better
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-12-22 00:48 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. 32044051734390 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? PHILOSOPHY.
Stae? l, Madame de (Anne-Louise-Germaine), 1766-1817. London : J. Murray, 1814.
http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. 32044051734390
Public Domain, Google-digitized
http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
We have determined this work to be in the public domain, meaning that it is not subject to copyright. Users are free to copy, use, and redistribute the work in part or in whole. It is possible that current copyright holders, heirs or the estate of the authors of individual portions of the work, such as illustrations or photographs, assert copyrights over these portions. Depending on the nature of subsequent use that is made, additional rights may need to be obtained independently of anything we can address. The digital images and OCR of this work were produced by Google, Inc. (indicated by a watermark on each page in the PageTurner). Google requests that the images and OCR not be re-hosted, redistributed or used commercially. The images are provided for educational, scholarly, non-commercial purposes.
? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-12-22 00:48 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. 32044051734390 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? ? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-12-22 00:48 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. 32044051734390 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? ibanrarD College Xibrars
BOUGHT WITH MONEY
RECEIVED FROM THE
SALE OF DUPLICATES
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-12-22 00:48 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. 32044051734390 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? ? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-12-22 00:48 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. 32044051734390 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? I
>>
?
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-12-22 00:48 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. 32044051734390 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? ? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-12-22 00:48 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. 32044051734390 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? ? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-12-22 00:48 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. 32044051734390 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? ? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-12-22 00:48 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. 32044051734390 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? ? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-12-22 00:48 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. 32044051734390 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? GERMANY;
BY THE
BARONESS STAEL HOLSTEW.
TRANSLATED FROM THE FRENCH.
IN THREE VOLUMES.
VOL. III.
A NEW EDITION.
LONDON:
PRINTED FOR JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE-
STREET.
1814.
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-12-22 00:48 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. 32044051734390 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? London: Printed by W. Clowes, Northumberland
Court, Strand.
\
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-12-22 00:48 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. 32044051734390 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? CONTENTS.
PART THE THIRD.
PHILOSOPHY AND MORALS.
Chap. I. Of Philosophy . . Page 1
Chap. II. Of English Philosophy . . 10
Chap. HI. Of French Philosophy . 32
Chap. IV. Of the Ridicule introduced by a certain
Species of Philosophy . . . 46
Chap. V. General Observations upon German
Philosophy . . . " 56
Chap. VI. Kant . . 70
Chap. VII. Of the most celebrated Philosophers
before and after Kant . . 99
Chap. VIII. Influence of the new German Philo-
sophy over the Developement of the Mind 128
Chap. IX. Influence of the new German Philo-
sophy on Literature and the Arts . 135
Chap. X. Influence of the new Philosophy on the
Sciences . . . . 146
Chap. XI. Influence of the new Philosophy upon
the Character of the Germans . 168
Chap. XII. Of the moral System, founded upon
personal Interest . . . 175
Chap. XIII. Of the moral System founded upon
National Interest . . . . 186
Chap. XIV. Of the Principle of Morals in the
new German Philosophy . . 202
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-12-22 00:48 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. 32044051734390 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? iv
CONTENTS.
Chap. XV. Of scientific Morality . Page 213
Chap. XVI. Jacobi . . . 218
Chap. XVII. O/Woldemar . .
Of the Principle of Morals in the
new German Philosophy . . 202
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-12-22 00:48 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. 32044051734390 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? iv
CONTENTS.
Chap. XV. Of scientific Morality . Page 213
Chap. XVI. Jacobi . . . 218
Chap. XVII. O/Woldemar . . 226
Chap. XVIII. Of a romantic Bias in the defec-
tions of the Heart . . . 230
Chap. XIX. Of Love in Marriage . . 236
Chap. XX. Modern Writers of the ancient School
in Germany . . . . 247
Chap. XXI. Of Ignorance and Frivolity of Spi-
rit in their Relations to Morals . 257
PART THE FOURTH.
^ RELIGION AND ENTHUSIASM.
Chap. I. General Considerationt upon Religion
in Germany . . . 267
Chap. II. Of Protestantism . . 278
Chap. HI. Moravian Mode of Worship 293
Chap. IV. Of Catholicism . . 300
Chap. V. Of the Religious Disposition called
Mysticism . . . 316
Chap. VI. Of Pain . . . 336
Chap. VII. Of the Religious Philosophers called
Theosophists . . . 851
Chap. VIII. Of the Spirit of Sectarismin Germany 357
Chap. IX. Of the Contemplation of Nature 368
Chap. X. Of Enthusiasm . . . 388
Chap. XI. Of the Influence of Enthusiasm on
Learning . . . . 395
Chap. XII. Influence of Enthusiasm upon Hap-
piness . . . . 403
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-12-22 00:48 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. 32044051734390 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? PART THE THIRD.
PHILOSOPHY AND MORALS.
CHAPTER I.
Of Philosophy.
The world has been pleased, for some time
past, to throw great discredit upon the very
name of philosophy. The case is common
with all those terms, the signification of
which is capable of much extension: they^
become alternately the objects of benedic-
tion or blame among mankind, according
to their use in fortunate or unhappv periods:
but, in spite of the casual injustice or pane-
gyric of individuals and of nations, philo-
sophy, liberty, religion, never change their
value. Man has spoken evil things of the
sun, of love, and of life: he has suffered,
he has felt himself consumed, by these lights
of nature; but would he therefore extinguish
them?
VOL. III. B
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-12-22 00:48 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. 32044051734390 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? 2 PHILOSOPHY AND MORALS.
Every thing that has a tendency to set
bounds to our faculties, bears the stamp of a
degrading doctrine. We ought to direct those
faculties to the lofty end of our existence--our
advance to moral perfection. But it is not by
the partial suicide of this or that power of
our nature, that we shall be rendered ca-
pable of rising towards such an object: all
our resources are not too. numerous to for-
ward our approach to it; and, if Heaven
had granted more genius to man, he would
have advanced so much the more in virtue.
Among the different branches of philoso-
phy, metaphysics have, especially, occupied
the attention of the Germans. The objects
which this pursuit embraces, may be divided
jinto three classes. The first relates to the
mystery of the creation; that is to say, ti&
I the Infinite in all things; the second, to the
formation of ideas in the human mind; and
the third, to the exercise of our faculties,
1 without ascending to their source.
The first of these studies, that which
applies itself to the discovery of the secret
of the universe, was cultivated among the
Greeks, as it now is among the Germans.
It is impossible to deny that such a pursuit,
however sublime in its principle, makes us
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-12-22 00:48 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. 32044051734390 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? f HILOsdffllf.
3
feel our impotence at every step; and dis-
couragement follows those efforts which
cannot produce a result. The usefulness
of the third sort of metaphysics, that
whkih is! included in the observation of
the actions of our understanding, cannot be
contested; but this usefulness is confined
to. the circle of daily experience. The phi-
losophical reflections of the second class--
those which are directed to the nature
of the human mind, and to the origin
of our ideas--appear to me the most in-
teresting of all. It is not likely that we
should ever be able to know the eternal
truths which explain the existence of this
world: the desire that we feel for such
knowledge, is among the number of those
noble thoughts which draw us towards
another life: but it' is not for nothing,
that the faculty of self-examination has been
given to u*. Doubtless, to observe the
progress of our intellect, such as it exists,
is already to avail ourselves of this faculty;
nevertheless, in rising higher, in striving
to learn whether that intellect acts sponta-
neously, or whether we can only think when
thought is excited by external objects, we
shall cast additional light upon the free-will
b2
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-12-22 00:48 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. 32044051734390 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? 4 PHILOSOPHY AND MORALS.
of man, and consequently upon vice and
virtue.
A crowd of moral and religious questions
depends upon the manner in which we con-
sider the origin and formation of our ideas.
It is the diversity of their systems in this re-
spect, above all others, that distinguishes the
German from the French philosophers. We
may easily conceive, that if the difference is at
the fountain-head, it must show itself in the
derived streams: it is impossible, therefore,
to become acquainted with Germany, with-
out tracing the progress of that philosophy,
which, from the days of Leibnitz down to
our own, has incessantly exerted so great a
power over the republic of letters.
There are two methods of considering the
philosophy of the human mind ; either in
its theory or in its results. The examination
of the theory demands a capacity which be-
longs not to me; but it is easy to remark
the influence which this or that metaphysi-
cal opinion exercises over the developement
of the understanding and of the soul. The
Gospel tells us, " that we must judge of
"prophets by their works:" this maxim
may also guide our inquiry into the different
systems of philosophy; for every thing that
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-12-22 00:48 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. 32044051734390 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? PHILOSOPHY.
5
is of immoral tendency must be sophistical.
This life has no value, unless it is subservient
to the religious education of. our hearts;
unless it prepares us for a higher destiny, by
our free choice of virtue upon earth. Meta-
physics, social institutions, arts, sciences,
all ought to be appreciated accordingly as
they contribute to the moral perfection of
mankind: this is the touchstone granted lo
the ignorant as well as to the learned. For
if. the knowledge of the means belongs only
to the initiated, the results are discernible by
all the world.
It is necessary to be accustomed to that
mode 6f reasoning which is used in geome-
try, in. order to gain a full comprehension
of metaphysics. In this science, as in that
of calculation, if we omit the least link in
the chain of evidence, we destroy the whole
connexion. Metaphysical reasonings are
more abstract, and not less precise, than
mathematical; and yet their cibject is in-
definite. We must unite, as metaphysi-
cians, two of the most opposite faculties--
fancy, and the power of calculation: we have
to measure a cloud with the same accuracy
that. we. measure a field; and there is no
study which requires such closeness of at-
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-12-22 00:48 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. 32044051734390 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? 6 PHILOSOPHY AND MORALS.
tention; nevertheless, in the most sublime
questions there is always some point of view
within the reach of every body, and it IB
that point which I design to seize and to
present.
I put a question one day to Fichte, who
possesses one of the strongest and most
thinking heads in Germany, whether ne
could not more easily tell me his moral
system than his metaphysical ? " The one
"depends upon the other," he replied; and
the remark was very profound: it compre-
hends all the motives of that interest which
we can take in philosophy.
We have been accustomed to regard it as
destructive of every belief of the heart; it
would then indeed be the enemy of man;
but it is not so with the doctrine of Plato,
nOr with that of the Germans: they consider
sentiment as a fact, the primitive phaeno-
menon of mind; and they look upon the
power of philosophical reasoning as destined
solely to investigate the meaning of this
fact.
The enigma of the universe has wasted
the meditations of many, who have still
deserved our admiration, because they felt
themselves summoned to something better
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-12-22 00:48 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. 32044051734390 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? PHILOSOPHY.
