cter of the Universe as a Whole 419
Sect. 214. Moral Implications of Such Pluralistic Philosophy.
Purity of the Good 420
Sect. 215. The Incentive to Goodness 422
Sect. 216. The Justification of Faith 423
Sect. 217. The Worship and Service of God 425
Sect. 218. The Philosopher and the Standards of the Market-Place 425
Sect. 219. The Secularism of the Present Age 427
Sect. 220. The Value of Contemplation for Life 428

BIBLIOGRAPHY 431

INDEX 441

PART I

APPROACH TO THE PROBLEM OF
PHILOSOPHY

CHAPTER I

THE PRACTICAL MAN AND THE PHILOSOPHER

[Sidenote: Is Philosophy a Merely Academic Interest?]

Sect. 1. Philosophy suffers the distinction of being regarded as
essentially an academic pursuit. The term _philosophy_, to be sure, is
used in common speech to denote a stoical manner of accepting the
vicissitudes of life; but this conception sheds little or no light upon
the meaning of philosophy as a branch of scholarship. The men who write
the books on "Epistemology" or "Ontology," are regarded by the average
man of affairs, even though he may have enjoyed a "higher education,"
with little sympathy and less intelligence. Not even philology seems
less concerned with the real business of life. The pursuit of philosophy
appears to be a phenomenon of extreme and somewhat effete culture, with
its own peculiar traditions, problems, and aims, and with little or
nothing to contribute to the real enterprises of society. It is easy to
prove to the satisfaction of the philosopher that such a view is
radically mistaken. But it is another and more serious matter to bridge
over the very real gap that separates philosophy and common-sense. Such
an aim is realized only when philosophy is seen to issue from some
special interest that is humanly important; or when, after starting in
thought at a point where one deals with ideas and interests common to
all, one is led by the inevitableness of consistent thinking into the
sphere of philosophy.

[Sidenote: Life as a Starting-point for Thought.]

Sect. 2. There is but one starting-point for reflection when all men are
invited to share in it. Though there be a