Systematic Theology (Volume 1 of 3)Strong, Augustus Hopkins
Religion
Systematic Theology (Volume 1 of 3)
Strong, Augustus Hopkins
Baptists -- Doctrines; Theology, Doctrinal
3. In so far as this theory regards mind as the obverse side of matter, or
as a later and higher development from matter, the mere reference of both
mind and matter to an underlying force does not save the theory from any
of the difficulties of pure materialism already mentioned; since in this
case, equally with that, force is regarded as purely physical, and the
priority of spirit is denied.
Herbert Spencer, Psychology, quoted by Fiske, Cosmic Philosophy,
2:80—“Mind and nervous action are the subjective and objective
faces of the same thing. Yet we remain utterly incapable of
seeing, or even of imagining, how the two are related. Mind still
continues to us a something without kinship to other things.”
Owen, Anatomy of Vertebrates, quoted by Talbot, Bap. Quar., Jan.
1871:5—“All that I know of matter and mind in themselves is that
the former is an external centre of force, and the latter an
internal centre of force.” New Englander, Sept. 1883:636—“If the
atom be a mere centre of force and not a real thing in itself,
then the atom is a supersensual essence, an immaterial being. To
make immaterial matter the source of conscious mind is to make
matter as wonderful as an immortal soul or a personal Creator.”
See New Englander, July, 1875:532-535; Martineau, Study, 102-130,
and Relig. and Mod. Materialism, 25—“If it takes mind to construe
the universe, how can the negation of mind constitute it?”
David J. Hill, in his Genetic Philosophy, 200, 201, seems to deny
that thought precedes force, or that force precedes thought:
“Objects, or things in the external world, may be elements of a
thought-process in a cosmic subject, without themselves being
conscious.... A true analysis and a rational genesis require the
equal recognition of both the objective and the subjective
elements of experience, without priority in time, separation in
space or disruption of being. So far as our minds can penetrate
reality, as disclosed in the activities of thought, we are
everywhere confronted with a Dynamic Reason.” In Dr. Hill’s
account of the genesis of the universe, however, the unconscious
comes first, and from it the conscious seems to be derived.
Consciousness of the object is only the obverse side of the object
of consciousness. This is, as Martineau, Study, 1:341, remarks,
“to take the sea on board the boat.” We greatly prefer the view of
Lotze, 2:641—“Things are acts of the Infinite wrought within minds
alone, or states which the Infinite experiences nowhere but in
minds.... Things and events are the sum of those actions which the
highest Principle performs in all spirits so uniformly and
coherently, that to these spirits there must seem to be a world of
substantial and efficient things existing in space outside
themselves.” The data from which we draw our inferences as to the
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account