Idealism As A Practical Creed

Author : Henry Jones
Publisher : Slusser Press
ISBN 13 : 1443760951
Total Pages : 308 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (437 download)

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Download or read book Idealism as a Practical Creed written by Henry Jones and published by Slusser Press. This book was released on 2008-10-06 with total page 308 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: PREFACE WERE it not to take too great a liberty, I should dedicate this book to the Australian people for my memory of their kindness will not fade, and I would fain let the ill know that I am grateful. I have dedicated it to one who labours continually for their welfare, and to the memory of a great Idealist-his Teacher and my own. The book consists of lectures delivered before the University of Sydney. But the written must differ from the spoken word, and I have recast the lectures and added to them. HEGELS Inaugural Address at Heidelberg An invitation to the reflective life Philosophy not always in official garb its relation to poetry why taken in these lectures as meaning Idealism. Mans Life complex because it comprises his World Connexion of Philosophy and Life illustrated Hegel and Napoleon the First-which of them means most now Great men and their times. Ideas the only agents in mans life Human history a succeseion of ruling Ideas The Idea of Evolutiol now in power at work, before Darwin, in poetry and philosophy, and in the world an exponent of self- expanding life which is life attaining Freedom. IN taking up the task with which you have entrusted and honoured me, and inviting you to consider the bearing of philosophy upon modern life, I am reminded of the first words addressed by Hegel to his students in Heidelberg. It was in October of 1816. The Napoleonic wars had just closed with the battle of Waterloo. Germany had risen triumphant from those fatal fields, on which her sons were taught a base submission. She had saved her Nationality, as Hegel said, the basis and essence of the best life and she could now turn her mind to the arts of peace, and labour to fulfil the higher laws. Philosophy might once more engage the attention and the good-will of men. She might again lift up her voice grown so silent, and a world which had become well-nigh deaf to her might again be willing to listen. The spirit of the time immersed in matters temporal, its whole powers engaged in a fearful strife for the outward means of life, might now turn its thoughts inwards upon itself and take possession of the riches of its own content. The Church might now raise its head side by side with the secular State, which hitherto had swallowed up all interests. Side by side with the Kingdom of the World, towards which had streamed the thoughts and strivings of men, the Kingdom of God might become once more an object of contemplation and along with the political and other interests of the outer life, science, the free rational life of Spirit, might agnin break out into blossom. Speaking for those whose lives had matured amidst the storms, Hegel congratulated the students that their youth had fallen at a time when they could devote it to Truth, and the undisturbed pursuit of knowledge. I hope, he said, that I may deserve and win your confidence. But I make no claim upon you, save that, before all else, you put your trust, in knowledge, and in yourselves. The first condition of philosophy is courage towards the truth, faith in the might of mind. Man, because he is mind, may dare, may, must dare to think himself worthy of what is highest. The greatness and the power of mind he cannot esteem enough...