Page:Philosophical Review Volume 30.djvu/641

No. 6.] more interesting and much more important than any theory, and on that account perhaps is tolerant of many theories. ... We best avoid the defects of one-sided theories if we follow the path of what Sidgwick used to call critical common sense, and hold to the natural solidarity of human experience to which it clings. ... The best service which philosophy can render at the present time is that of supplying a criticism of life." The different essays are all concerned with human nature in its theoretical aspects, but the author suggests a purpose to treat on another occasion of the problems of morality and civic institutions which the upheaval of the present time has forced into prominence.

Professor Baillie's discussions are characterized by great clearness and independence of thought. His book is no hasty production, but is marked by literary finish and gives evidence of wide reading and careful thinking. One may disagree in the end with many of the author's conclusions, but will scarcely fail to be stimulated and instructed by his acute analyses and his frank criticisms of philosophical systems. It is against idealism, especially as held by Mr. Bradley and Dr. Bosanquet, that he most often directs his attack; but he also sometimes finds occasion to point out the errors of pragmatism and modern realism in convincing terms.

It would not be altogether fair to the more constructive sides of Professor Baillie's work to say that the book is the expression of disillusionment with historical systems of philosophy. Nevertheless it is hard altogether to avoid this suggestion. Both in the Introduction and in the essay entitled "The Place of Philosophy in Human Nature," the defects and limitations of philosophy are emphasized. "This review of the want of unanimity between philosophers and the failure of philosophy to reach centainty on the main issues discussed, must give any candid mind ground for reflection concerning the claims of the philosopher to supply the final or the whole meaning of reality" (p. 81). "The philosophical mood has no better justification than any special instinct, or than any rare intuition. ... When philosophers try to prove the problem of philosophy to be necessary in the sense that the very nature of humanity involves it, they are merely accentuating the importance of philosophy to themselves by saying that this is the special way a human mind works in their particular case" (p. 198).

It is fortunate that critics are never lacking to laugh at the philosopher's pride and to force him to moderate his pretensions. But