Philosophical Works of the Late James Frederick Ferrier/Institutes of Metaphysic (1875)/Section 3/Proposition 5

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Theory of Being, Proposition 5 (1875)
by James Frederick Ferrier
2384265Theory of Being, Proposition 51875James Frederick Ferrier



PROPOSITION V.


THE REMAINING ALTERNATIVES.


Absolute Existence is either that which we know or that which we are ignorant of.


DEMONSTRATION.

It was proved by Proposition I. that Absolute Existence has only three alternative characters: it is either, first, that which we know; or, secondly, that which we are ignorant of; or, thirdly, that which we neither know nor are ignorant of. The third alternative has been excluded by Proposition IV. Absolute Existence, therefore, must be the one or other of the two remaining alternatives: in other words, it is either that which we know or that which we are ignorant of.


OBSERVATIONS AND EXPLANATIONS.

1. The elimination of the third alternative, and the proof that Absolute Existence is either that This proposition secures the key of the ontology.which we know or that which we are ignorant of, secures the key of the ontology, and renders her position impregnable. Her victory is now assured against whatever force may be brought against her. She has now but to put forth her hand to pluck the fruit of all her previous labours. Because the alternative characters of Absolute Existence having been reduced to two—in other words, Absolute Existence having been proved to be either that which we know or that which we are ignorant of, the system is able to deal with it and to declare what it is, whichever of the two alternatives be embraced. Should "Being in itself" be held to be that which we know, the result of the epistemology enables us to affix to it a predicate declaratory of its nature—for the epistemology has settled what alone it is possible for us to know. Should "Being in itself" be held to be that which we are ignorant of, the result of the agnoiology (which has been proved to be coincident with the result of the epistemology) enables us to affix to it the very same predicate declaratory of its nature. Thus the system makes good its point, and redeems its pledge (see Introduction, § 60), whichever horn of the dilemma be presented to it, as shall be shown articulately in Proposition X. Meanwhile a few articles must be introduced for the purpose of clearing away the wrecks of antecedent systems, and of giving the finishing-stroke to the cardinal doctrines of psychology, which are still dragging out, in book and in lecture-room, a debilitated and semi-animate existence.

Fifth counter-proposition. Why there is none.2. Fifth Counter-proposition.—There is no fifth counter-proposition, for the reason assigned under the preceding proposition (Obs. 2.) That we must be either cognisant or ignorant of Absolute Existence, is conceded both by ordinary thinking and by psychology.