IV. ON MR. SHADWORTH HODGSON'S METAPHYSIC OF EXPERIENCE. BY H. W. GARB. WHATEVER view we take of the value of the particular philosophical doctrines of Mr. Shadworth Hodgson, or of the result of his philosophy as a whole, nothing but admiration is possible for the magnificent work which he has now given us. The Metaphysic of Experience is the work of one who has devoted his life to philosophy and whose work is worthy of his devotion. No one can read these volumes without recognising, what we who have had the privilege of knowing the author have well known already, that philosophy is the one absorbing interest of his life. He has not come to philosophy to justify some preconceived theory in science or theology nor has he been guided in his work by any supposed interest, ethical, political or religious. The Metaphysic of Experience represents the continuous labour and systematic thought of the many years in which Mr. Hodgson has been associated with the Aristotelian Society, and the splendid series of Presidential Addresses delivered by him during fourteen successive years represent the growth and develop- ment of the work now completed. There is a particular advantage to all who would understand Mr. Hodgson's philosophy in possessing it in its complete form, for com- pleteness is a special and most interesting characteristic of the work. We feel as we read that everything has been said that could be said and as well as the author could say it. The analysis is thorough and embraces the whole of experience from pre-scientific knowledge to religious faith. We may remain unconvinced by the argument or disagree with the conclusion, but the thoroughness of the analysis commands respect. The problem of Philosophy as here expounded may be described as the reorganisation of experience for knowledge. The method of philosophy is subjective analysis of experience and this analysis must be direct and free from assumptions. The explicandum of philosophy is the world of ordinary
