Page:Philosophical Review Volume 2.djvu/689

. 6.] or merged in a larger truth. This instability of knowledge is not lamentable; it is the condition of growth. The spirit of denial wills the evil, and seems destructive; yet always accomplishes the good. Knowledge advances; it is in process of evolution; it is the realization of an ideal.

Is the assurance of knowledge ever to be reached by us? We approach it, in proportion as we complete the work of knowledge. Knowledge is the interpretation of experience. As that experience widens, as our senses have fuller revelations, and our inward life discloses itself, that scientific interpretation becomes more comprehensive and accurate, and there may be a growing hope of insight into that rational necessity by which things are. Yet our experience is incomplete; it can never be complete; how incomplete it is, we cannot know. Absolute certitude is impossible. Finality in knowledge is not for finite beings.

Yet, while knowledge sunders itself into certainties of a subjective and hypothetical nature, on the one hand, and on the other, beliefs in regard to ‘facts,’ it is necessary to enter a protest against certain views of belief which have been advocated. It is sometimes said that our knowledge rests ultimately on beliefs indeed, but beliefs which are irresistible. But it is scarcely necessary at this stage to dwell further on the fact that our beliefs are irresistible only when they cannot be described as beliefs, but are necessary developments of conceptions already held. In other cases they have simply the degree of irresistibility which belongs to more or less approved inductions.

A further question that concerns us here is the relation of belief to will. In his work on Psychology, Professor James claims that Belief and Will are ultimately identical. In each case there is attention to something. Professor James regards the practical interest as ultimately, in all cases, the primary. Such a view seems to ignore the difference between the emotional and intellectual interest. In practical life a man chooses what is healthy. To the intellect, however, the laws of disease are beautiful, as Emerson puts it, as those