CHAPTER X. 



COSMISM AND POSITIVISM. 



Toward the close of the chapter on "Phenomenon and 

 Nounienon," I observed 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 science, and which is accordingly arranged 

 in opposition to the current mythologies. The confusion is 

 one which, after having once been originated, 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 theological magazine- 

 writer, who perhaps does not know what is meant by the 

 Pielativity of Knowledge but feels that there is something to 

 be dreaded in Mr. Mansel's negations, finds an excellent 

 substitute for intelligent criticism in the insinuation that 

 this doctrine of relativity is a device of the Positivists, 

 who refuse to admit the existence of God, and worship 

 Humanity " symbolized as a woman of thirty, with a child 



