SUBJECTIVE AND OBJECTIVE METHODS 



tration of experiences, and therefore does not 

 involve any a priori element. 



For the present, returning to Plato, let us 

 note some of the results to which his method 

 not unnaturally led him, especially as we shall 

 thus perceive the true affiliation of modern 

 metaphysics upon the crude attempts of the an- 

 cients at general science, in so far as concerns 

 the method employed. "We open the Ti- 

 maeus," says Mr. Lewes, " and learn that the 

 Universe was generated as an animal, with a 

 soul, because that was best. Whatever is gen- 

 erated must necessarily have body, and be vis- 

 ible no less than tangible. Nothing can be vis- 

 ible without Fire, nothing tangible without a 

 Solid, nothing solid without Earth. Thus the 

 first step in creation was the production of two 

 elements. But it is impossible for two things to 

 cohere without the intervention of a third. A 

 bond is necessary, and of all bonds the most beau- 

 tiful is that which as nearly as possible unites 

 into one both itself and the things bound. Had 

 the substance of the universe been a superficies 

 without depth, one medium or bond would have 

 sufficed : but as it was a solid, and solids are 

 never one only, but always joined by two bonds, 

 therefore the Creator placed Water and Air be- 

 tween Fire and Earth. These are the Four 

 Elements, and the reason has been given why 

 they are only four. The elements are fashioned 

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