friend," the ex-professor of the Ecole Polytechnique, or of the lucubrations in general of his company of disciples.
Whatever be the tendencies of Positivism, however fatal to all our fondest and firmest opinions and sentiments, by all means give it a frank and full hearing—although it cannot surely reproach those who would cry it down, with the warning, μηποτε και ΘΕΟμαχοι ἑνρεθητε. To call attention to a little volume which ably and succinctly portrays its scope and character, is the simple object of this paper, which wholly repudiating pretence to criticism (perhaps an absurdly uncalled-for repudiation), "hath this extent, no more." To Positivism as a great fact, and to Mr. Lewes's exposition of it as a small one, we may all do well to give heed, among the signs of the times. Be Positivism studied, then, as a protest against
Those fond philosophers that magnify
Oar human nature, and assume we have
Such a prerogative in our rational soul.[1]
as qualifies it to understand[2] all mysteries, and to hypothesize safely to the top of its bent. Be it studied, at any rate, before it is answered; for this, in the end, may save trouble; although, with that view, the converse process may, primâ facie, appear more promising.
- ↑ Shirley: The Brothers.
- ↑ There is a strong smack of Positivism in the confession of John Marston's Scholar (in "What You Will"), who had deflowered "seven useful springs" in studying "cross'd opinions 'bout the soul of man;" and who "the more he learn'd, the more he learn'd to doubt"—the while his spaniel slept:The same old dramatist, in another play ("Antonio's Revenge") introduces a "fling" at those "wisards," or wise-acres.
Hot philosophers
Stood banding factions, all so strongly propt,
I stagger'd, knew not which was firmer part,
But thought, quoted, read, observed, and pryed,
Stuff'd noting-books: and still my spaniel slept.
At length he waked and yawn'd; and by yon sky,
For aught I know he knew as much as I.Which verses we will, however incongruously, tag with those of Milton's "godlike angel mild," who taught our first father that there are problems insoluble by such as he—"suppress'd in night, to none communicable m earth or heaven," though quiteWho making curious search
For nature's secrets, the first Innating Cause
Laughs them to scorn, as man doth busy Apes
When they will zany men.Enough is left besides to search and know.
But knowledge is as food, and needs no less
Her temperance over appetite, to know
In measure what the mind may well contain;
Oppresses else with surfeit, and soon turns
Wisdom to folly, as nourishment to wind.
