Page:Ferrier's Works Volume 1 - Institutes of Metaphysic (1875 ed.).djvu/29



INTRODUCTION.

§ 1. the following work the word "Philosophy," when used by itself, is to be taken as synonymous with speculative science, or "metaphysics," as they are usually termed. What philosophy or metaphysic is, will unfold itself, it is to be hoped, in the sequel. At the outset it is merely necessary to state that, as employed in these pages, the term does not include either natural philosophy or mathematical science, but excludes them expressly from its signification.

§ 2. A system of philosophy is bound by two main requisitions,—it ought to be true, and it ought to be reasoned. If a system of philosophy is not true it will scarcely be convincing; and if it is not reasoned, a man will be as little satisfied with it as a hungry person would be by having his meat