Page:Ferrier Works vol 2 1888 LECTURES IN GREEK PHILOSOPHY.pdf/82

Rh real as they exist for all intelligence; and this pursuit is conducted under the direction of the universal faculty in man, or, in other words, is conducted under the direction of necessary thinking.

30. If you attend to the definition of philosophy which I have given you, you will perceive that it comprehends two important points: it states both what the truth is which philosophy pursues, and what the faculty is which is engaged in the pursuit. The first part of the definition declares what the truth is which philosophy pursues: it says that philosophy is the pursuit of absolute truth, that is, of truth as it exists for all intelligence. This may be called the objective part of the definition; it declares what is the proper object of philosophy. But the definition would be incomplete unless we added something in explanation of the faculty by means of which the object of philosophy is to be attained. Therefore we subjoin:—And this pursuit is conducted under the direction of the universal faculty in man; in other words, is conducted under the direction of necessary thinking. Man's faculty of necessary thought is properly called his Reason. So that the definition expressed shortly is this: Philosophy is the pursuit of absolute truth conducted under the direction of reason. But the definition under this compendious form expresses a mere vague truism unless you keep in mind what we mean by absolute truth, and also what we mean by reason.