96
PARTISAN REVIEW
word being defined by other words, and they by still others, without any
real conception ever being reached - or else is downright absurd; so that all
such rubbish being swept away, what will remain of philosophy will be a
series of problems capable of investigation by the observational methods of
the true sciences.... So, instead of merely jeering at metaphysics . .. the
pragmaticist extracts from it a precious essence . ..
(5.423).
We should expect to find metaphysics ... to be somewhat more diffi–
cult than logic, but still on the whole one of the simplest of sciences, as it
is one whose main principles must be settled before very much progress
can be gained either in psychics or in physics. Historically we are aston–
ished to find that it has been a mere arena of ceaseless and trivial
disputation . But we also find that it has been pursued in a spirit the very
contrary of that of wishing to learn the truth, which is the most essential
requirement . . . .
Metaphysics
is the proper designation for the third, and
completing department of coenoscopy .... Its business is to study the most
general features of reality and real objects. But in its present condition it is
.. . a puny, rickety and scrofulous science. It is only too plain that those who
pretend to cultivate it carry not the hearts of true men of science within
their breast
(6.4-6) .
Here let us set down almost at random a small specimen of the ques–
tions of metaphysics which press ... for industrious and solid investigation:
Whether or no there be any real indeflOiteness, or real possibility and
impossibility? Whether there be any strictly individual existence? Whether
there is any distinction ... between fact and fancy? Or between the exter–
nal and the internal worlds? What general ... account can be given of the
different qualities of feeling ... ? Do all possible qualities of sensation ...
form one continuous system . . . ? ... Is Time a real thing ... ? How about
Space ... ? . .. Is hylozoism an opinion, actual or conceivable, rather than
a senseless vocable .. .? ... What is consciousness or mind like ... ?
(6.6).
RR:
Metaphysicians see [books] as divided according to disciplines, cor–
responding to different objects of knowledge. [We] ironists see them as
divided according to traditions ... (CIS,
pp.75- 6).
CSP:
All science is either, A. Science of Discovery;
B.
Science of
Review; or
C.
Practical Science.. .. Science of Discovery is either,
I.
Mathematics;
II.
Philosophy; or
III.
Idioscopy. ... Philosophy is divided
into
a.
Phenomenology;
h.
Normative Science; c. Metaphysics. . . .
Phenomenology is ... a single study. Normative Science has three widely
separated divisions: i. Esthetics; ii. Ethics. iii . Logic.... Metaphysics may be
divided into, i, General Metaphysics, or Ontology; ii, Psychical, or
Religious, Metaphysics, concerned chiefly with the questions of 1, God,
2, Freedom, 3, Immortality; and iii, Physical Metaphysics, which discusses
