The Metaphysics of Nature

Abstract

CRITICAL philosophy or metaphysics Mr. Read divides into two branches, the metaphysics of nature and science and the metaphysics of ideals. In this work he deals only with the former branch, and only with the most general principles of science. He makes it a rule “not to attempt to solve a priori any problem that can only be effectually treated by inductive methods.” He discusses in the introduction the meaning of terms like belief and knowledge, reality and truth. Then in Book i., entitled “Canonic,” he considers various tests of truth, different forms of scepticism, and the great problem of the relativity of knowledge. Book ii.—“Cosmology”—deals with the doctrine of substance. Book iii.—“Psychology”—deals on the same lines with the subject of experience; while the last book—“The Categories”—discusses relation, the physical categories, and the categories of subjective activity.