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 H. HOFFDING, A Motlcrn History of Philosophy. 401 main objections levelled against his master's system and method, is not by any means to be identified with the Philosophy of Pure Experience as it appears in the Kritik ili'i- n'ini'ii Ei-fiihninrj. The present volume is really an introduction to the philosophy of Mr. Petzoldt through the medium of a critical exposition and extension of the views of Avenarius. The criticism mainly takes the form of a very thorough revision of the system of characteristics (cf. p. 307 with p. 110), and the extension consists mainly in a treat- ment of the ethical and testhetical characteristics which lay outside the plan of Avenarius, whose Critique is essentially a Theory of Knowledge. We have now to look forward to the more independent labours of Mr. Petzoldt. The second volume of this introduction, which we are to expect in two or three years' time, is, so far as the author can say at present, to be devoted mainly to the investigation of the following central prin- ciple of mental development : ' Human Evolution bears its end within itself ' (pp. 318, 319). Whether it will in any way appease the critics of the first volume is probably more than doubtful, but it is certain to be highly suggestive, methodical and clear ; for it will be the work of a most able and conscientious thinker. W. E. BOYCE GIBSON. .1 Modern History of Philosophy. By Dr. H. HOFFDING. Trans- lated by Miss B. E. MEYER. London : Macmillan <fc Co. New York : The Macmillan Company. Two vols., pp. 532 ; 600. IT has been said that philosophical poems often suffer the fate of Tithonus ; for the philosophy drags out an interminable old age by the side of the poetry which remains eternally young. And from a converse point of view it has been thought that histories of philosophy offer a similar spectacle ; since the actual attempts and systems of which they treat have a lasting value, while the methods of interpretation and setting vary with the fashion of the day. Such a view, however, is not likely to find many supporters. The average reader of philosophy knows very well how much he owes to the historians of thought, and can rightly estimate the comprehensiveness of view, the quick eye for inconspicuous germs of theory, and the sympathetic understanding of historical setting, which they have brought to the task. All these qualities are admirably illustrated in the excellent work of Prof. Hoffding. His wide reading enables him to give a very complete account of the great movements in Modern Philo- sophy. His special scientific interest does full justice to psycho- logical inquiries, even where these appear in rudimentary shape. And there are many suggestions to be gained from his attempts to show in each case the connexion between a philosopher's char- acter or circumstances and his philosophy, and between a general 2(3