Page:The Cambridge History of American Literature, v3.djvu/279

George Santayana 261 sequential . . . nothing concerns it less than to influence the world"; but in revealing beauty it gives us the best hint of the ultimate good which life offers. Without this sight of beauty, the soul would not continue its mortal toil. Perhaps the most characteristic of Santayana's views is his estimate of the value of modern science for the life of reason or civilization. He accords full recognition to mechanical science" not merely as a* source of useful insight but as a liberation of the human soul. I But though the various parts of science are mutually illumi- nating, scientific achievement is fragmentary and a mechani- 1 cal science like physiologic psychology may not give a man as i much insight as does some poetic suggestion. Science grows 'i out of common experience, but its power is new, comparatively feeble, and easily blighted. "The experience of the vanity of the world, of sin, of salvation, of miracle, of strange revelations, and of mystic loves, is a far deeper, more primitive, and there- fore probably more lasting human possession than is that of clear historical or scientific ideas. "' Why, in spite of the incomparable distinction and moder- i nity of his work, has Santayana received so little recognition ?v In part this is doubtless due to the unfortunate manner in which his principal book. The Life of Reason, is written — a manner which does not attract the public and repels the pro- fessional philosopher. ^ Despite unusual felicity of diction and a cadence which often reminds us of Walter Pater, his books are difficult reading. It is difficult to find the thought because of his preference for pithy and oracular epigrams rather than fully and clearly developed arguments. His abstract and distant view of the world unrolls itself without any vivid or passionate incidents to grip our attention. In the main, however, San- tayana has failed to draw fire because few people are interested in a frankly speculative and detached philosophy that departs radically from the accepted traditions and makes no appeal to the -partisan zeal of either conservatives or reformers. He does not aim to be edifying or scientifically informing. American philosophy has attracted two types of mind — those to whom ' Winds of Doctrine, p. 56. ' Not a single survey of American philosophy hitherto published mentions even the name of Santayana. See the works of Riley, Thilly, Perry, and Mcintosh mentioned in the Bibliography.