Page:Mind (New Series) Volume 9.djvu/280

266 CRITICAL NOTICES : of the purpose itself " (p. 501). For example if, on part of the surface of England, an absolutely accurate map of England was constructed, such a map would contain a map of itself, since it is part of the surface of England, and it represents all of the surface of England, itself included. But this second map would also have to contain a map of itself, and so on in an infinite series (p. 505). Now, whether we believe such a map to be possible, or whether we follow Mr. Bradley in rejecting it as impossible, " our faith, or a doubt, would equally involve seeing that the one plan of mapping in question necessarily implies just this infinite variety of internal constitution. We should, moreover, see how and why the one and the infinitely many are here, at least within thought's reach, conceptually linked " (p. 507). Now such a system, says Dr. Eoyce, quoting Dedekind, is found in my own realm of thoughts (p. 511). For whenever I have a thought, I can also think that I have it. And then I can also think that I have this second reflective thought, and so on without end. And any theory which holds the Absolute to be self-representative involves such an infinite series. For the re- presentation falls within the Absolute, and must be represented. And so must this second representation, and so on ad infinitum. The Essay ends with a consideration of the arguments for holding that such an infinite series could not be real. It is maintained that an infinite series which is involved in the unity of a single purpose, can be a true individual, and may therefore be real. It would be impossible within the limits of a review to ade- quately criticise this theory, or to raise a further question on which the practical importance of the theory depends. Granted that the Absolute is a harmony, is it ultimately a harmony of self -representation, or is there some more adequate form? Some- thing would have to be said on this point, but here I must content myself with closing my account of a most valuable and interesting book. The second series of lectures is promised within a year. It is to contain the more detailed application of the results here reached to problems that directly concern religion. J. ELLIS McTAGBABT.