SUR LA PREMIERE EDITION ANGLAISE
Metaphysica Nova et Vêtus fa : A Return to Dualism, By Scotus Novanticus.
(Professor S.vS. Laurïe LL. D.). 200 pp.
8vo Cloth. 6 s.
<c I congratulate you very sincerely on the production of this remarkable little book. Its results are among the best in philosophy ; at the sgune time that your déduction of them from the simple act of percipience is at once original and happy. n — (Z^^ Htttchison Stirling,)
ce The book is an analysis of Perception independently undertaken, but with full knowledge of, and référence to, the Kantian investigation... The whole is worked out with much sureness of touch and with real philosophical insight. The author's knowledge and use of German thought is flavoured by a certain sturdy Scotch independence as well as by an infusion of Scotch caution.. . The book makes the impression of having been written by one who has held himself at some distance from the philosophical schqols, and who has embodied in his work the results of his mature thought... Relativity (with the author) is something qui ce différent from Relatedness .. What is said by the author i5 said with admirable clearness. » — («< Mina,, «Octobre 1884).
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« As a connected reasoned body of doctrines, the explana-
tion oflfered by « Scotus Novanticus » constitutes k new philosophical theory... By the hélp of this versatile will-force, the writer endeavours to solve the great problems of phiiosophy... If the reasonings and con,clusions are not always satisfactory, the book will still be întéresting tb fïie readers of phiiosophy on account of the light it throws on several important points of spéculative inquiry, and also for the thoroughness with which the doctrines are developed and carried out. » — (« The Scotsman, »)
« The anonymous work « Metaphysica Nova et Vetusta, » by a Scotus Novanticus, » well deserves the careful attention of ail who can appreeiate a sustained pièce of reasoning... The book displays much maturity of thought throughout, and the author, whoever he is, possesses a complète grasp'of philosophical distinc- Jtions... Though he works out his theory forcibly in his own way, he has evidently been largely influenced by Kant, and the post-Kantian Idealists, particularly pdrhapsby Fichte... It may be described as a succinct but comprehensive sketch of a metaphysical psychology. » (« The Contemporary Review, )^
<c *In the instance before us, while the subject handled is a
large one, the treatment it receives (notwithstanding the brevity of the book) is wonderfully full. « Scotus Novanticus » wastes none of his space in rhetorical verbiage nor in wordy excursions into the picturesque fields adjoining his subject proper, but confines himself strictly to the province within which it lies. His style is terse yet lucid, and his book, though hard reading, as it is almost bound to be from its nature as from its succinctness, never fails to be interesting... In this little work the anonymous author attempts nothing less than to trace the genesis and history of our knowledge — our knowledge of the outer world as well as of the workings of mind itself... It would be impossible for us hère to give anything like a full and explicit account of the contribution which is hère offered. « Scotus Novanticus » wastes no words, and his treatise reads like a iQathematical démonstration... The wprk will well repay a careful study, and is a valuable contribu-
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tion to the subject with which it deals. We heartily commend it to sfudents of Philosophy whether they be materialists or not.,» — (« Tkâ Scottish (Quarterly) Review. »)
« While, as we shall afterwards point out, we consider this "work a failure as an argument for Dualism, we cannot help congratulating the author on the production of a work so distinguished by subtle analysis and philosophie power.... We say his Dualism is illogical, because in no work hâve we seen the activities of the mind more clearly exhibited or their necessity for the constitution of knowledge more convincingly argued. More than this, he has freed himself from the paralogisms which strangled Kant when dealing with such notions as Being, Causality, and the Absolute... It only remains to add that the style is clear, terse and vigorous. » — (« The Glasgow Herald. »)
« This is the work of a powerful and original thinker » - (« The Modern Review, » Octobre 1884.)
« Professer Laurie's ingenious and original little book...
Comprehensive treatise... it abounds in admirable expositions and acute criticisms ; and especially indicates a clear insight founded upon accurate knowledge into the insufficiency of the empirical psychology as a base of metaphysical philosophy. » — (a A Study of Religion » par le D^ James Martineau, 1888.)
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Ethka, or The Ethics of Reason. By Scotus Novanticus, Author of * ' Metaphysica Nova et Vetusta. "
« About twelve mpnths ago the authpr of this volume published a work entitled « M«taphysica Nova et Vetusta : a retum to Dualism, » in which he advanced a notable theory regarding the origin and nature of human knowledge. . .
« In the « Ethics of Reason, » the direct influence of Kant and Hegel is especially évident ; still thèse old éléments of doctrine, as well as the terminology, are hère used in an independent ^way by a writer who élaborâtes a theory marked by distinctive features ..
« To understand fully the doctrines thus propounded by « Scotus Novanticus, » his reasonings must be studied in his o'wn expositions, and as he has reasoned them out and connected the différent parts into a System. Ail that we can say is that the various branches of the subject are unfolded with ability and ample knowledge of existing moral théories...
« The work is the production of an original and profound thinker who is well aware of the difficulties of his thesis. The argument is managed with skill and dialectic power. The treatise is well entitled to the attention of students of Philosopliy » (« The Scotsman, »)
« The « Ethica » repeats the characteristics of the « Metaphysica, » and is an equally noteworthy contribution to the détermination of ultimate philosophical positions. The book is not controversial in character, and is as sparing as its predecessor in the spécifie allusions to other writers ; but we are able to feel that the abstention is advised, and that the author's theory has been elaborated in fuU view of modem discussions. As he proceeds on his way, doctrines receive their correction, amplification, or quietus, though their authors are not referred to...
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a Enough bas perhaps been said to prove that the argument deserves to be studied by ail who aim at clear thinking on ethical questions » — (c< Mind, » Octobre i885).
« As we expected, the acute and logical author of « Metaphysica Nova et Vetusta » has followed up that work with another, in which his leading principles are applied in the jfield of ethics. Hère, as in his former work, he is very close and cogent, scorning to allow himself any of the easy and rhetorical illustrations with which some writers in philosophy are prone to make up their chapters. Whatever may be said of his ideas, his style, it will be admitted, is one that is to be commended alike for its directness, simplicity, and servi ceableness. We hâve read the book with an increasing conviction of the author' s originality and power, and of the benefit that his books may confer, even in this regard, on philosophical students. So carefuUy is his main argument drawn out that we cannot find space to outline it hère, but must content ourselves with indicating one or two of his salient positions...
ce The author's application of his principles to the development of the A.ltruistic Emotions, to Law, and Justice is admirably consistent and suggestive ; though, of course, in the process he has to deal somewhat severely with the définitions of the moral sensé, the moral faculty, and conscience, which hâve been given by not a few writers on philosophy, ethics and theology . Many of Kant's positions are incisively criticised, and lacunae^ as the author conceives, supplied. As a criticism of ethical Systems, no less than as a pièce of dialectic, and a positive contribution to ethical science, it is suggestive and thorough. We can cordially commend the book. It will raise questions no doubt, and answers will be forthcoming on varions points ; but the questioners would do well to take a hint from the author in the style of answering them. » — (« The British Quarterly Review »).
« Instead of the psychological method of inquiry formerly so much in fashion in the treatment of ethics, we hâve hère a method which is transcendental in character...
« Hère, as indeed throughout the volume, « Scotus Novanticus »
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shows how ably he can conduct a process of reasoning throughout its various stages, avoiding every temptation to départ from the definite line of argument which he has marked out for himself...
« This is an exceedingly able work. It contains much forcible writing, and shows the author to possess a singnlar power of sustàined thought. We admire the way in which he keeps himself free from entanglement in view of side issues, and at the same time is able to indicate their bearings on the main thème. For the expression of abstract thinking the style could hardly be better. It is direct, and hence forcible, and, though using the language of philosophy , isfree from unnecessary technicalities. » — (« The Glasgow Herald », lo Avril i885).
« The author's mode of working out his thought may seem to symbolize his ethical theory itself. The sensé of effort that is a part of ail moral action ends, as he shows, in a sensé of harmony . Now « Scotus Novanticus » requires from his readers a distinct intellectual eiïort in order to grasp his thought ; but if they axe willing to make this effort, they are really rewarded by having in their minds an idea of a cohérent system which has many features of originality, and which, regarded as a whole, produces (whether we agrée with it or not) that sensé of power to contemplate the world and action from a gênerai point of view which is characteristic of the philosophie attitude as distinguished from the attitude of science and common sensé. » — (« The Westminster Review, »)
« This volume is characterized, we need hardly ^ay, by ail the excellent qualities that distinguished our author's previous work... a Scotus Novanticus » is a skilful and patient analyst of the phenomena of mind, and writes in a style that conveys very clearly what he wishes to express. It is a case of clear thought mirroring itself in clear language... We remarked in regard to his « Metaphysica » that it read like a mathematical démonstration : we hâve the same to say of this. « Scotus Novanticus » has evidently a wholesome horror of c< padding». His argument
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is about as condensed as it could well be. Then he is so careful in the use of his terms that we run a risk of misleading our readers by employing them without also giving his précise défini-, tions of them. We refer our readers, therefore, to the work itself. It will amply repay careful study, and only by careful study c;^,n the argument be fully appreciated,.. « Ethica » is a careful study, and a valuable contribution to ethical science ». — (« The Scottish (Quarterîy) Review. »)
« The présent treatise contains a very close discussion of the chief points in debate between the différent schools of moralists ; and the author seems, in my judgment, to be rema^kably succèssful in harmonizing the éléments of truth in each... It isnot possible hère to do more than single out a few points from a book which rewards a careful study. — (« The Contemporary Review, »)
Sur la ' * Metaphysica '' et T * * Ethica ''
ensemble.
« There is nothing absolutely new in [Dr Martineau's] doctrine [as to necessity of conflict, etc.]... It has been admirably expounded in a récent volume of great force of thought and scientific précision of analysis, under the title of « Ethica, or the Ethics of Reason. » This volume bears to be by « Scotus Novanticus », author of a preceding volume entitled « Metaphysica Nova et Vetusta». Both volumes are marked by.much vigour and lucidity, grasp of philosophie distinctions, and capacity of foUowing and combining threads of thought to their end. .. We hâve pleasure in recommending them to the attention of ail students of Philosophy ». — (« The Edinburgh Review. »)
a Das erste dieser beiden eng zusammengehôrigen Bûcher desselben ungenannten Verf. [des Prof. S. S. Laurie] lâsst sich als
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eine Phénoménologie des Geistes behufs der Constituirung einer eirkenntnisstheoretischen Metaphysik bezeichnen, die von Kantischen, streng rationallstichen Gesichtspunkten ausgehend,sicli von da mit Hûlfe weiterer an Fichte und Hegel erinnemden Blem^te ztl einer vollstândigen, eigenthiimlichen Ansicht der Sache
erhebt » «
« In der Behauptung der Idée der Personlichkeit steht det Veff. durchaus auf Kantischem Boden ; sein Streben ist aber die theonstische* und praktische Seite der * Vemunft einander môglichst zu nâhern, um eben aus ihr als einem einheitlichen Princip eine voUstândige systematische Erhenntnisseinheit zu deduciren wobei ôr sich dem absoluten Idealismus nachkantischer deutschen Philosophie annâhert. Das Untemehmen des a Scotus Novanticus » kann als einer der achtbarsten Versuche unserer Zeit, in Anknûpfung an die durch Kant begonnene philosophische Bewegung zu einet, mehr als bisher geschehen ist, abschliessenden Form eines speculativen Systems zu gelangen» betrachtet werden ». C. S. (Professeur Schaarschmidt), (ce Die philosophische MonatshefU » XXII,
«... deux écrits récents fort remarquables signés du pseudonyme de « Scotus Novanticus ». Ce sont dés essais fort ingénieux de conciliation entre les méthodes objective et subjective appliquées à la recherche des origines de la connaissance et de la loi morale ». (M. G. Rolin-Jacquemyns,) (« La Revue de Droit international, »)
Tournai, typ. Decalloane-Uagre.
