INTRODUCTION 



fundamental philosophical opinions which we 

 have discussed at length. We can also be con- 

 fident (2) that the later Spencerian statement 

 of the Synthetic Philosophy would have been 

 carefully considered, although in all probability 

 Fiske would here have shown decided independ- 

 ence with regard to at least some of the most 

 important features ; for the problems of social 

 evolution constituted his especial field of inter- 

 est. We can fairly suppose (3) that the newer 

 discussions of the " factors of evolution," and 

 of the nature of psychological evolution, would 

 have attracted his decided interest, and would 

 have led to considerable supplements or amend- 

 ments in his revised text. 



In studying this treatise the reader of to-day 

 may therefore do well to bear these topics espe- 

 cially in mind, and to consider them for himself 

 in the light of the recent literature, thereby at- 

 tempting, as in him lies, to do what the calm 

 thoughtfulness and the lucid methods of our 

 author are now no longer able to accomplish 

 for those who admire him and who miss his 

 presence. 



Cambridge, Mass., August 19, 1902. 



cxlix 



