PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION. 



THIS volume is the first of a series described in a prospectus 

 originally distributed in March, 1860. Of that prospectus, 

 the annexed is a reprint. 



.A SYSTEM OF PHILOSOPHY. 



MR. HERBERT SPENCER proposes to issue in periodical parts a 

 connected series of works which he has for several years been 

 preparing. Some conception of the general aim and scope of 

 this series may be gathered from the following Programme. 



FIRST PRINCIPLES. 



PART I. THE UNKNOWABLE. Carrying a step further the 

 doctrine put into shape by Hamilton and Mansel; pointing 

 out the various directions in which Science leads to the same 

 conclusions; and showing that in this united belief in an Ab- 

 solute that transcends not only human knowledge but human 

 conception, lies the only possible reconciliation of Science 

 and Religion. 



PART II. LAWS OF THE KNOWABLE. A statement of the 

 ultimate principles discernible throughout all manifestations 

 of the Absolute those highest generalizations now being 

 disclosed by Science which are severally true not of one class 

 of phenomena but of all classes of phenomena; and which 

 are thus the keys to all classes of phenomena.* 



* One of these generalizations is that currently known as " the Conser- 

 vation of Force ; " a second may be gathered from a published essay on 

 "Progress: its Law and Cause;" a third is indicated in a paper on 

 " Transcendental Physiology ; " and there are several others. 



xvi 



