CHAPTER X 

 COSMISM AND POSITIVISM 



TOWARD the close of the chapter on 

 " Phenomenon and Noumenon," I ob- 

 served that it has become customary to 

 identify with Positivism every philosophy which 

 rejects all ontological speculation, which seeks 

 its basis in the doctrines and methods of sci- 

 ence, and which is accordingly arranged in op- 

 position to the current mythologies. The con- 

 fusion is one which, after having once been ori- 

 ginated, it is easy to maintain but exceedingly 

 difficult to do away with ; since on the one hand, 

 it is manifestly convenient for the theologian 

 to fasten upon every new and obnoxious set of 

 doctrines the odium already attaching to quasi- 

 atheistic Positivism ; while on the other hand, 

 the disciples of Comte are not unnaturally eager 

 to claim for themselves every kind of modern 

 thinking that can by any colourable pretext be 

 annexed to their own province. The theologi- 

 cal magazine-writer, who perhaps does not know 

 what is meant by the Relativity of Knowledge 

 but feels that there is something to be dreaded 

 in Mr. Mansel's negations, finds an excellent 



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