TO THE READER

Source: The Journal of Speculative Philosophy , 1867, Vol. 1, No. 1 (1867), p. 1

Published by: Penn State University Press

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 THE JOURNAL
OP

SPECULATIVE PHILOSOPH
Vol. I. 18 6 7. Mo. 1."
TO THE READER.
For the reason that a journal devoted
corporation substituted for it. Now we
have arrived at the consciousness of the
exclusively to the interests* of Speculative
Philosophy is a rare phenomenon in the other essential phase, and each individual
English language, some words may reasonrecognizes his substantial side to be the
ably be expected from the Editors uponState as such. The freedom of tlie citizen
the scope and design of the present under does not consist in the mere Arbitrary, but
taking. * in the realization of the rational convic
There is no need, it is presumed, to tion which finds expression in established
speak of the immense religious movements law. That this new phase of national life
now going on in this country and in Eng demands to be digested and comprehended,
land. The tendency to break with the is a further occasion for the cultivation of
traditional, and to accept only what bears the Speculative.
for the soul its own justification, is widely . More significant still is the scientific
active, and can end only in the demand revolution, working out especially in the
that Reason shall find and establish a phil domain of physics. The day of simple
osophical basis for all those great ideas empiricism is past, and with t]ao doctrine
which are taught as'religious dogmas. Thus of " Correlation of forces " there has arisen
it is that side by side with the naturalism of a stage of reflection that deepen* rapidly
such men as Renan, a school of mystics is into the purely speculative. For the fur*
beginning to spring up who prefer to ignore ther elucidation of this important point the
utterly all historical wrappages, and cleave two following articles have been prepared.
only to the speculative kernel itself. The It is hoped that the first one will answer
vortex between the traditional faith and the
more definitely the question now arising in
intellectual conviction cannot be closed by the mind of the reader, u What is this
renouncing the latter, but only by deepen Speculative Knowing of which you speak ?"
ing it to speculative insight. and that the second one will show whither
Likewise it will be acknowledged that Natural Science is fast hastening*.
the national consciousness has moved for With regard to the pretensions of this
ward on to a new platform during tho last Journal, its editors know well how much
few years. The idea underlying our form its literary conduct will deserve censure
of government had hitherto developed and need apology. They hope that the
only one of its essential phases?that of substance will make up in some degree for
brittle individualism?in which national deficiencies in form; and, moreover, they
unity seemed an external mechanism, expect to improve in this respect through
soon to be entirely dispensed with, and experience and the kind erideknis of
the enterprise of the private man or of the friends.
1 *

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