SIR WILLIAM HAMILTON'S PHILOSOPHY. 367 



SIR WILLIAM HAMILTON'S PHILOSOPHY: 

 AN EXPOSITION AND CRITICISM. 



BY THE REV. J. CLARK MURRAY, 



PEOFESSOE OP MENTAL AND MORAL PHILOSOPHY, QUEEN'S COLLEGE, KINGSTON. 



Article III. — Criticism of Hamilton'' s System. 



In proceeding to the criticism of the philosophical system, of which 

 the previous article in this series attempted an exposition, we are met 

 by a number of doctrines which may be regarded as introductory ; 

 and accordingly to these, first of all, I request the attention of my 

 readers. 



The definition of philosophy, with which my exposition of Ham- " 

 ilton's system starts, might furnish matter for some observations at 

 the outset, were it worth while that we should be thus detained from 

 more important subjects : but in truth, as Hamilton himself remarks, 

 the definition of philosophy "is the result of a lofty generalisation 

 from particulars ;"* and, therefore, the full discussion of such a defini- 

 tion might lead us prematurely into some of the problems which must 

 afterwards demand consideration. The remark, which has been 

 quoted in reference to the definition of philosophy, Hamilton applies 

 also to its divisions ; and, it appears to me, with even greater pro- 

 priety : for the success of a science in the arrangement of its various 

 departments must depend on the success with which it has investigated 

 the distinctive nature of the various objects that constitute its province. 

 While, however, a science may be in so crude a condition, as to leave 

 room for doubt what place in a natural classification ought to be 

 assigned to the various phenomena within its sphere, it is necessary 

 to attempt some arrangement of these, were it merely for the purpose 

 of guiding research. For such a purpose Sir William Hamilton's 

 division of the philosophical sciences may be accepted; and every 

 division of these ought, in the present state of philosophical inquiry, 

 to be regarded as subject to the revision which may be rendered 

 necessary by the researches it has served to guide. 



The main efforts of Sir William Hamilton's power have been spent 

 on the department which forms, in his classification, the first division 

 of the philosophical sciences, Empirical or Phenomenal Psycho- 



* Lectures on Metaphysics, Vol I, p. 44. •• 



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