XXXIII 



OUR KNOWLEDGE OF THE UNKNOWABLE 



THE title of this chapter, as it stands, is plainly a 

 contradiction in terms. And indeed the term un- 

 knowable, fine though it is, has proved unfortu- 

 nate in that it has led the superficial to twit Spen- 

 cer with self-contradiction in attributing certain 

 characters to the unknowable, and the malignant 

 to make inept and impudent criticisms, as that 

 Spencer desires us all to worship at the shrine of 

 "XV However, I fancy both Mr. Bradley and 

 Mr. Frederic Harrison have lived to be ashamed 

 of themselves for their brilliant efforts in this 

 direction. 



But if, in this chapter, we take as granted the 

 existence of the unknowable, there arises a sub- 

 lime question. Granted that most of us to use 

 the Platonic image are forever chained upon a 

 bench which permits us but to gaze upon shadows, 

 have there ever been, can there ever be, moments 

 during which the thrice-happy few may turn their 

 heads and attain a clearer, a transcendental vision 

 of the transcendent? If, in truth, there be mind 

 underneath all, and if our minds be indeed frag- 

 348 



