PREFACE. IX 



tages. It makes him liable, e.g., to verbal contradic- 

 tions between the earlier and more imperfect adum- 

 brations of a conception, and the clearer and more 

 perfect grasp which is possible only later on, i.e., it 

 renders it necessary to read the earlier to some 

 extent in the light of the later assertions. This 

 danger it has been attempted to minimize by a 

 frequent use of cross-references. And, secondly, 

 it was unfortunately impossible to avoid a good deal 

 of technical discussion in chapters ii. and iii., in the 

 refutation of Aornosticism and the establishment 

 of Scepticism : all that could be done was to warn 

 the non-technical reader of what to omit by means 

 of the analysis of the argument. 



As to the remaining points which might seem 

 to require explanation, the author must refuse to 

 apologize for what may seem the romantic character 

 of some of his conclusions. For romance is a rela- 

 tive term, and for his part he would often be inclined 

 to agree with the uninitiated public in looking upon 

 some of the most ordinary assertions of the dullest 

 every-day philosophy as the wildest and most per- 

 nicious romance. And in any case, no apology 

 should be needed for the romance of philosophy in 

 an age which has rightly learned to appreciate " the 

 fairy tales of science." If truth seems stranger than 

 fiction, it is because we have previously abased our 

 minds to the level of superstitions none the less 

 fictitious for being unpoetical. 



The attitude of '' Riddles of the Sphinx" to the 

 established religion is a subject more important and 

 more difficult, and it would be presumptuous to 

 attempt any forecast of its reception. But its author 

 may sincerely claim that its relation to Christianity is 

 one of complete independence, and even that it was 



