Illustrations Of Positivism; A Selection Of Articles From The "positivist Review" In Science, Philosophy, Religion And Politics

ILLUSTRATIONS OF POSITIVISM -- ILLUSTRATIONS OF POSITIVISM A SELECTION OF ARTICLES FROM THE POSITIVIST REVIEW IN SCIENCE, PHILOSOPHY, RELIGION, AND POLITICS -- PREFACE - 1915 - PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION MOST of the numerous articles contributed by Dr. Bridges to the Positivist Review 1893-19061 were concerned not with the passing topics of the day, but with the fundamental principles of Positivism. Written in the last thirteen years of his life, they represent the maturest opinions of one to whom his CO-religionists were always accustomed to look up for teaching and counsel. In these short Essays his aim was to set forth Positivist doctrines with a simplicity of language and a fullness of illustration which should make them easily intelligible even to the most unlearned. His qualifications for this task were a perfect mastery of his subject and a singularly impressive style that compels the attention of the reader. Thinking that it would be deplorable if a series of papers of such unique and permanent value were to be left buried in the back numbers of a periodical, I suggested to Dr. Bridges, a few months before his death, that he should arrange the most important of them for republication. He had begun to do this, but had not carried the work far when he was overtaken by his last illness. I havo therefore made a selection which probably includes all the articles that he would have most desired to preserve. I have availed myself of such alterations as he had made-they were few and unimportant-but, finding no indication as to a new grouping of the articles, I have left them in their chronological order. Thus placed they have not, indeed, the methodical arrangement and completeness ofa text-book but perhaps for that very reason the general reader may find them more attractive. Few, if any, of the more important aspects of Positivism are, I think, left untouched while, if some are more than once handled, such insistence is not without advantage. I have only to add that I am in entire agreement with all the opinions expressed in these Essays. In republishing them I think I am rendering the greatest service to Positivism that lies in my power. E. S. BEESLY. 21 West Hill, St. Leonards-on-Sea, September, 1907. NOTE TO THE SECOND EDITION A NUMBER of posthumous papers by Dr. Bridges, many of which were originally delivered as addresses or lectures, have been added to this edition, which is issued by the English Positivist Committee. Particulars as to the origin of these papers, where known, are given in footnotes. They have all appeared in the Positivist Review since the death of Dr...