Review of the Work of Mr John Stuart Mill Entitled, 'Examination of Sir William Hamilton's Philosophy.' by George Grote
page 30 of 63 (47%)
page 30 of 63 (47%)
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of mental science, and the subject which must be first
considered in forming the theory of the Mind."' This citation from Mr Mill's book is already almost too long, yet we could have wished to prolong it still more, from the importance of some of the succeeding paragraphs. It presents, in clear discrimination and contrast, two opposite points of view according to which the phenomena of mind are regarded by different philosophers, and the method of studying them determined: the _introspective_ method, adopted by M. Cousin and others--the _psychological_ or analytical method, pursued by Locke and by many other eminent men since Locke--'the known and approved method of physical science, adapted to the necessities of psychology'--(p. 148). There are passages of Sir W. Hamilton's writings in which he appears to feel that the _introspective_ method alone is insufficient for the interpretation of Consciousness, and that the analytical method must be employed to reinforce it. But on this as on other points he is not always consistent with himself. For in laying down the principle upon which the primary truths of Consciousness, the original data of intelligence, are to be ascertained and distinguished from generalizations out of experience and custom, he declares that the one single and certain mark is Necessity--they must be beliefs which we are under the necessity of believing--of which we cannot get rid by any mental effort. He decides this, of course, for himself, by the _introspective_ method alone. He (with M. Cousin and other philosophers who take the same view) does not apply the analytical method to inquire whether his necessity of belief may not be a purely acquired necessity and nowise congenital. It is, indeed, remarkable that these philosophers do not even seek to apply the introspective method as far as that method |
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