PREFACE.

nature; and that their existence and character fully warrant us in drawing the general inferences which, on the principles of a sane philosophy and sound logic, we are disposed, or compelled, to deduce from them.

We may remark, however, that in recent times, and particularly in this country, the term science has been generally, and, we think, most improperly restricted to Physics alone; for there are facts in psychology and moral philosophy which are equally, if not more important, equally susceptible of analysis, and equally capable of being reduced to general laws; and these facts and these laws, therefore, are at least as deserving of our research and investigation as those which have been discovered in the economy of the physical universe; indeed, the former are of even more real interest and utility to man, as an intelligent and rational being.

“There are some persons,” says PLATO, “who draw down to the earth all heavenly and invisible things, grasping with their hands rocks and trunks of trees, maintaining that nothing exists as real except what offers resistance and can be felt, holding body and existence to be synonymous. And when others say that something may exist that is incorporeal, they pay no regard to this, and will no longer listen to the subject.” — PLATO; Ed. Stephan. Referring to the Stephanus pagination, the standard international reference system for the works of Plato., p. 246.