VI 



he may desire to undertake. On this account the problems of 

 the nature of reality, of knowledge, and of the categories of 

 thought, have been left severely alone, and even the question 

 of whether science presents us with a vision of eternal truth 

 or offers only convenient conceptual models of a precarious 

 kind has been brushed aside. Such a course does not involve 

 a contemptuous dismissal of ancient and modern controversies 

 on a variety of philosophical topics, or even a doubt as to 

 their penetrating significance, but rather a desire to avoid all 

 needless complications and to fix the attention on the practical 

 aspect of the methodological problem. In fact, the composing 

 of these controversies can evidently not be hoped for anterior 

 to the establishment of an effective methodology. Accordingly, 

 the centre of gravity of this treatise must be sought in Book II, 

 where a series of working Conclusions have been formulated, 

 and only secondarily in Book I, the primary intention of which 

 is to clear the way for a due appreciation of the Book it pre- 

 cedes. 



In conclusion, the author desires cordially to thank those who 

 at diverse times read through the work in typescript and as- 

 sisted him by valuable suggestions, most especially Prof. 

 Patrick Geddes, Prof. J. H. Muirhead, and Dr. Cecil Desch. 



The work has been completed abroad under considerable difficulties, 

 entailing certain unavoidable shortcomings in regard to bibliography, 

 indexes, and verification of sources. My warmest thanks are due to the 

 staff of the printing office, more especially to its manager, my friend 

 J. Safranek, who practically saw the work through the press, reducing 

 the author's co-operation to a negligible minimum. 



Geneva, 1921. 



G. SPILLER. 



