Page:Philosophical Review Volume 27.djvu/244

232 of which the description is expressed? It will shortly be seen that one type of hypotheses may be considered as truly explanatory in an entirely unique sense. In this connection it is of the utmost importance to remember that there is both an objective and a subjective side to every question. Just as much light will be thrown on a problem by an investigation of the manner in which we have arrived at our relevant concepts on the subject at our present level of experience, as by an investigation of what the precise meaning of the concepts must be, if they are to be validly representative of objective experience. The concepts we have formed may involve unwarrantable assumptions if applied uncritically to objective experience as such, but if their true meaning for us, and the manner in which that meaning has been acquired, are analyzed, not only shall we realize our own nature more clearly, but there is a possibility of the suggestion of fruitful hypotheses as to the nature of existence generally. We are thus led naturally to the consideration of pluralism and the genetic method.

III. Outline of Pluralism and the Genetic Method. —Pluralism is based on the existence of the self. All philosophers do not believe in the existence even of one self. Reasons will be stated hereafter, however, which seem to render doubt on the subject not only logically impossible, but inherently meaningless. The word 'self' will be used as synonymous with 'subject of experience.' All confusion with the various meanings of the empirical self, which relate essentially to the self as conceived, will thus be avoided. For the class of selves or subjects considered in relation to their experience, the term 'mind ' will be used. This meaning appears to approximate most closely to the general usage of that somewhat vague term.

Starting from matter, i.e., from matter as generally conceived by physics and by the main body of common sense, it is impossible to bridge the apparent gulfs between the inorganic and the organic, and between Life and Mind. Herbert Spencer's work