I N the following pages I have confined myself in the main to those problems of philosophy in regard to which I thought it possible to say something positive and constructive, since merely negative criticism seemed out of place. For this reason, theory of knowledge occupies a larger space than metaphysics in the present volume, and some topics much discussed by philosophers are treated very briefly, if at all.

NOTE TO SEVENTEENTH IMPRESSION

W ITH reference to certain statements on pages 44, 75, 131, and 132, it should be remarked that this book was written in the early part of 1912 when China was still an Empire, and the name of the then late Prime Minister did begin with the letter B.

1943

BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTE

The student who wishes to acquire an elementary knowledge of philosophy will find it both easier and more profitable to read some of the works of the great philosophers than to attempt to derive an all-round view from handbooks. The following are specially recommended:

PLATO: Republic, especially Books VI and VII.

DESCARTES: Meditations.

SPINOZA: Ethics.

LEIBNIZ: The Monadology.

BERKELEY: Three Dialogues between Hylas and Philonous.

HUME: Enquiry concerning Human Understanding.

KANT: Prolegomena to any Future Metaphysics.