Elements of metaphysicsTaylor, A. E. (Alfred Edward)
Philosophy
Elements of metaphysics
Taylor, A. E. (Alfred Edward)
Metaphysics
_Consult further_:—F. H. Bradley, _Appearance and Reality_, chap. 22; L.
T. Hobhouse, _Theory of Knowledge_, pt. 3, chap. 3; H. Lotze,
_Metaphysic_, bk. ii. chaps. 5, 6; H. Münsterberg, _Grundzüge der
Psychologie_, i. pp. 65-92; K. Pearson, _Grammar of Science_, chap. 2
(The Facts of Science), 8 (Matter) [mainly written from the
“phenomenalist” standpoint, but with unconscious lapses into a more
materialistic view]; J. Royce, Nature, Consciousness, and
Self-Consciousness” (in _Studies of Good and Evil_); _The World and the
Individual_, Second Series, Lect. 4; J. Ward, _Naturalism and
Agnosticism_, Lects. 1-5, 14, 19. Of the older philosophical literature,
Descartes, _Meditation_ 6; Leibnitz, _Monadology_ and _New System_;
Locke, _Essays_, bk. iv. chap. 11; Kant’s “Refutation of Idealism,” in
the second edition of the _Critique of Pure Reason_, in addition to the
already cited works of Berkeley will probably be found most important.
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Footnote 119:
This definition of the physical order approximates very closely to
that adopted by Prof. Münsterberg in his _Grundzüge der Psychologie_,
vol. i. pp. 65-77. Prof. Münsterberg defines a _physical_ fact as one
which is directly accessible to the perception of a plurality of
sentient individuals, as opposed to the psychical fact which can be
directly experienced only by one individual. It must be remembered, of
course, that my body as directly experienced in “common sensation” and
“emotional mood” belongs to the psychical order. It is only my body as
perceptible by other men that is a member of the physical order.
Footnote 120:
Cf. Bradley, _Appearance and Reality_, chap. 22, pp. 260-267 (1st
ed.). The attempts which have been made to exempt “primary” qualities
from this relativity do not seem to demand serious criticism. The
argument in the text applies as directly to extension and shape as to
colour or smell. It is not defensible to contend, as Mr. Hobhouse
does, that qualities, whether primary or secondary, depend on the
percipient organ only for their _perception_, not for their existence.
The contention rests upon taking two aspects of experience which are
always given together, the _that_ and the _what_ of a sense-content,
and arguing that because these two aspects of a single whole can be
distinguished, therefore the one can exist in actual separation from
the other. It would be quite as logical to infer by the same method
and from the same premisses that there can be a perceptive state
without any content, as that the contents can exist as we know them,
apart from the state.
Footnote 121:
See particularly the detailed statement of his contention and the
elaborate examination of objections in the _Three Dialogues between
Hylas and Philonous_, which form a commentary on the briefer
exposition of _Principles of Human Knowledge_, §§ 1-134.
Footnote 122:
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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