[288:17] Quoted from Naegeli: _Die Mechanisch-physiologische Theorie der
Abstammungslehre_, by Friedrich Paulsen, in his _Introduction to
Philosophy_. Translation by Thilly, p. 103.
[294:18] Berkeley: _Op. cit._, p. 273.
[294:19] _Op. cit._, Vol. I, pp. 272-273.
[295:20] _Op. cit._, Vol. III, p. 278.
[297:21] _Op. cit._, Vol. III, p. 249.
[299:22] Plato: _Theaetetus_, 167. Translation by Jowett.
[299:23] See § 121.
[300:24] Schopenhauer: _Op. cit._ Translation by Haldane and Kemp, Vol.
I, pp. 253-254.
[301:25] See Plato: _Republic_, Bk. I, 338.
[302:26] Paulsen: _Op. cit._, p. 423.
[304:27] Schopenhauer: _Op. cit._ Translation by Haldane and Kemp, p.
532.
[304:28] Berkeley: _Op. cit._, Vol. II, p. 138.
[305:29] For an interesting characterization of this type of religion,
cf. Royce: _Spirit of Modern Philosophy_, p. 46.
[305:30] James: _The Will to Believe_, p. 141.
CHAPTER X
ABSOLUTE REALISM[306:1]
[Sidenote: The Philosopher's Task, and the Philosopher's Object, or the
Absolute.]
§ 148. No one has understood better than the philosopher himself that he
cannot hope to be popular with men of practical common-sense. Indeed, it
has commonly been a matter of pride with him. The classic representation
of the philosopher's faith in himself is to be found in Plato's
"Republic." The philosopher is there portrayed in the famous cave simile
as one who having seen the light itself can no longer distinguish the
shadows which are apparent to those who sit perpetually in the twilight.
Within the cave of shadows he is indeed less at his ease than those who
have never seen the sun. But since he knows the source of the shadows,
his knowledge surrounds that of the shadow connoisseurs. And his
equanimity need not suffer from the contempt of those whom he
understands better than they understand themselves. The history of
philosophy is due to the dogged persistence with which the philosopher
has taken himself seriously and endured the poor opinion of the world.
But the pride of the philosopher has done more than perpetuate the
philosophical outlook and problem; it has led to the formulation of a
definite philosophical conception, and of two great philosophical
doctrines. The conception is that of the _absolute_; and the doctrines
are that of the _absolute being_, and that of the _absolute self_ or
_mind_. The former of these doctrines is the topic of the present
chapter.
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