CLXXXVI ADMINISTKATIVE REPORT _ [i:th. asx 20 



and qualities have severally given rise to a system of nieta- 

 pliysie. As we have called them they are the system of 

 Pythag-oras, the system of Plato, the system of Aristotle, the 

 medieval system, and tlie system of Berkeley. The last sys- 

 tem, when will is substituted for mind, may l)e called the 

 system of Scliopenhauer, as a variety of the Berkeleyan 

 system, which also has many other varieties. 



We are now prepared for a definition of metaphysic: Meta- 

 physic is the doctrine that one of the essentials of a particle 

 or 1)ody is primordial, or the one from which the others are 

 derived. Tliey may be derived by parental genesis, as in 

 ancient metaphysic; by evolution, as in modern materialism; 

 or by creation, as in idealism. 



The Pythagorean and the Platonic systems have perished 

 from the eartli. The idealists claim that Plato was the founder 

 of their system, and that Aristotle was also a believer in it. 

 Thus they interpret these two Grecian metaphysicians, as I 

 think, erroneouslv. The medieval system is waning, tliough 

 it may have some disciples; liut ap])arently the}' have liecome 

 idealists. There yet remain to us the Aristotelian and the 

 Berkelevan. The Aristotelian has been revived by Spencer, 

 greath' expanded and placed upon a clearer foundation; 

 Spencer has mau}^ illustrious disciples. Idealism in some one 

 of its many forms prevails widely among meta|)hysicians. 

 Enlisted among its disciples are many scholarly men who take 

 a leadhig part in the metaphysic of the schools. They have 

 usually not occupied themselves with the physical sciences, 

 but there are some illustrious exceptions. The Aristotelian 

 system, especially as revived by Spencer, is usually called 

 materialism. Materialism and idealism are now rivals in the 

 metaphysical world. 



Materialism is a theor}- of the existence of the world as con- 

 stituted of forces. This theory is perhaps best expounded by 

 Boscovich as points of motion, not points in motion; centers of 

 motion, not centers in motion. There are no atoms or molecules 

 in motion, but there are atoms and molecules of motion; there 

 are no stars in motion, but stars of motion ; there are no waters 

 or gases in motion, l)ut tliere are gases of motion; there are 



