A dictionary of philosophy in the words of philosophers

The collection of passages from philosophical writers which has formed the basis of this Dictionary was made by a collator of experience. "When, at the request of the Publisher, I examined the manuscript, it appeared to me that, whilst some authors were too fully represented, there was an inadequate representation of several important schools, and that some topics of the moment were scarcely touched upon.

I felt it necessary, in editing the volume and preparing it for the press, to deal somewhat freely with the material placed in my hands. Passages of undue length have in many instances been cut down. On the other hand, very many new quotations have been introduced from writers of recognised merit and influence. More particularly, a fair representation has been secured of the teaching of (i) the physiological and evolutional psychologists of our own time, and (2) the ' rational idealists ' who have of late years taken so prominent a position in British Philosophy. The material has also been completely re-arranged.

In carrying out this work I have been efficiently assisted by the Rev. Alfred Goodall, who has, under my guidance, made extracts comprising a large portion of the passages contained in this volume. He has also aided me in verifying quotations, and in reading the proofs; and the Indexes are entirely his work. To him accordingly, my appreciative acknowledgements are due. The revived and extended interest in philosophical studies leads to the hope that a Dictionary upon the plan of this work may be acceptable and useful.

The leading topics of psychological, metaphysical, and ethical interest will be found elucidated in this volume by passages from authors of acknowledged position, but belonging to very various schools of thought. The quotations are, for the most part, taken from the works of modern writers, and from books in the English language. At the same time, many passages are inserted which have been taken from translations into English of classical works, and of works by modern French and German authors.

That learned readers who may consult this volume will find many books and even authors omitted that it would have been desirable to include, may be expected. Yet in this modest attempt, the endeavour has been, consistently with the limits of space, to give a fair, impartial, and comprehensive representation of different schools and tendencies of thought. In a comparatively small number of cases, the full references have not been given. Usually, the references are, in the case of standard works, to book and chapter, or to lecture or essay. But in the case of works where one edition may be expected to be commonly consulted, the references are to volume and page. In this matter, many difficulties have been encountered.

A few quotations have been allowed to stand which have a literary rather than a strictly philosophical bearing; and interest. And in some cases, it has been thought more useful to present the opinions of a writer in the summary of a historian than in the language of the writer himself It is hoped that the copious Indexes appended to this book will render it useful to students.

The Alphabetical arrangement would have been altogether impracticable, but by referring to the Indexes the reader may gain all the advantages of consulting a Dictionary arranged upon the ordinary plan. The Introduction has been written for the sake of beginners in philosophical studies, with the view of affording to such readers a general survey of the field of thought before them. It is hoped that no apology is needed for the copious use here made of the works of several living authors, both British and American. Some readers may, I trust, be led, by consulting this Dictionary, to undertake the study of writers the quality of whose mind they have tasted in these pages.

German authors. That learned readers who may consult this volume will find many books and even authors omitted that it would have been desirable to include, may be expected. Yet in this modest attempt, the endeavour has been, consistently with the limits of space, to give a fair, impartial, and comprehensive representation of different schools and tendencies of thought. In a comparatively small number of cases, the full references have not been given. Usually, the references are, in the case of standard works, to book and chapter, or to lecture or essay. But in the case of works where one edition may be expected to be commonly consulted, the references are to volume and page. In this matter, many difficulties have been encountered. A few quotations have been allowed to stand which have a literary rather than a strictly philosophical bearing; and interest.

And in some cases, it has been thought more useful to present the opinions of a writer in the summary of a historian than in the language of the writer himself It is hoped that the copious Indexes appended to this book will render it useful to students. The Alphabetical arrangement would have been altogether impracticable, but by referring to the Indexes the reader may gain all the advantages of consulting a Dictionary arranged upon the ordinary plan.

The Introduction has been written for the sake of beginners in philosophical studies, with the view of affording to such readers a general survey of the field of thought before them. It is hoped that no apology is needed for the copious use here made of the works of several living authors, both British and American. Some readers may, I trust, be led, by consulting this Dictionary, to undertake the study of writers the quality of whose mind they have tasted in these pages.

Publication date 1887

Publisher London, Reeves and Turner

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