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A HISTORY OF THE ANCIENT PHILOSOPHY. No. I, 



(By Cantabrigiensis .) 

 INTRODUCTION. 



THE history of philosophy occupies a most exalted station in the 

 march of mind; for it not only comprises the most noble works of 

 man's intellect, but embraces also that species of research which has 

 exercised the greatest influence on every branch of human know- 

 ledge. 



Philosophy arises in the reflections which men make on the know- 

 ledge they have acquired, and in the necessity there is for certain 

 methods by means of which they may increase their present stock of 

 wisdom and enhance its value. It engenders a habit of enquiring by 

 what studies certain acquirements have been attained, and is almost 

 essential for the education of a sound understanding and the training 

 it to those courses which make good men and useful members of the 

 state. In its progress it leads or follows in the path of civilization, 

 by turns taking a part in its formation and advancement, or 'feeling 

 the effects of its growth. 



No one endued with an elevated soul can open the annals of phi- 

 losophy without feelings of veneration for the history which com- 

 prises so many antique traditions, so many important discoveries, so 

 many profound controversies. We seek, with a just curiosity, to 

 know the labours by which the most illustrious geniuses of all ages 

 and all nations have shed their beams on the paths of wisdom, and 

 have brought to light the secrets of a knowledge till then veiled from 

 the eyes of mortals by an impenetrable obscurity. The commerce 

 thus held with them will inspire us with a generous emulation. We 

 shall perceive the causes of the progress already made, and of the 

 errors committed. We shall be taught how to appreciate the merit 

 or absurdity of different systems, and to observe the mutual aid the 

 various sciences have lent to each other. We shall learn to form our 

 judgment of theories from their principles as well as their effects, 

 to know the limits of the empire of philosophy, and discover the voids 

 which yet remain to be filled up, above all, to distinguish true 

 philosophy from false pretensions the sober dress of science from 

 the meretricious ornaments of empiricism. 



The earliest period of which we have any authentic accounts in 

 which philosophy was made a study and the subject of public instruc- 

 tion carries us back to the time when liberty first dawned on Greece 

 to the age of Thales, of Solon, of Pythagoras. It was at the end of 

 this period that Anaxagoras flourished, and crowned it by the de- 

 monstration of the existence of a supreme Spirit the greatest bene- 

 fit that philosophy could bestow on the world. 



The next begins from the time when Socrates taught by the ex- 

 ample of his death as well as of his life, by his practice as well ^s 

 his precepts, to how great a perfection the virtues of patience and 

 forbearance may be brought, and how large a share they have in 

 the production of surpassing wisdom and unequalled philosophy. 



