Page:Philosophical Review Volume 14.djvu/145

129 In speaking more definitely of this mission, I scarcely need repeat, in the first place, that we cannot accept the Kantian view of two worlds, with all its outfit of psychological distinctions, rational antinomies, inherent and ineradicable contradictions, oppositions of knowledge to knowledge or knowledge to faith. Psychology has either altogether abolished or greatly modified these distinctions; the growth of reason has in part overcome or answered these antinomies and removed their contradictions; and history has shown that neither knowledge nor faith will move out of the way, when it is a question of their hold on Reality, so as to 'make room' for the other. Thus much, at least, we of the twentieth century should have learned respecting the mission of philosophy, and the practicability of the fulfilment of this mission in any worthy degree.

In order to assist in the mission of reconcilement which defines the special problem of philosophy to-day, it is especially necessary to have an acquaintance with the spirit, methods, aims, and attainments of modern science. But here I am using the word 'science' with that comprehensive and profound signification which belonged to the German conception of Wissenschaft, at the time when Germany was the leader of the world both in science and in philosophy. Such science cannot be divorced from philosophy; it cannot fulfill its own mission without being philosophical; nor can philosophy, in turn, fulfill its mission without paying due respect to the achievements and to the spirit of such science. Upon this subject two related truths must always be kept in mind. One of these has already been clearly indicated; it expresses the fact that true science can never be contented to look upon itself as nothing more than a logical arrangement of convenient hypotheses, referring only to phenomena. Such modesty of claims, even when put forth by the devotee of science himself, merits a mild and friendly rebuke from philosophy. Science, considered as a rational system of cognitions, is essentially ontological; it leads toward the apprehension and the better comprehension of the Being of the World, of the Ultimate Reality. And philosophy, in its effort to frame such a conception as shall satisfy the sentiments and ideals of art, morality, and