The Life and Work of George Sylvester Morris; A Chapter in the History of American Thought in the Nineteenth Century (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1917. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER VII Intellectual History. Origins And Transition When we come to attempt an estimate of Morris as a thinker, several difficulties must be acknowledged, and borne in mind throughout. First, materials for an intimate review of his entire mental history are lacking. Till the year 1874, when the Ueberweg translation and the articles on Trendelenburg were published, we find ourselves compelled to fall back upon such general considerations as we may derive from the tendencies of New England culture taken as a special phenomenon. No doubt these are definite enough. But, second, documentary evidence fails us to mark the steps whereby he passed from childhood faith to a more or less sceptical mood. Personal recollections, too, are scanty. For, sensitive and shy, he never wore his heart on his sleeve. Nevertheless, it is certain that, during his first years at Michigan, he was ill at ease, to some he appeared even distraught. Third, for eight years after 1870, his main strength was absorbed by active work as a teacher of modern languages. Likely enough, this may have been advantageous--he was under no temptation, much less compulsion, to declare himself, and so avoided the troubles of premature pronouncement. He had time to mature his conclusions and, fighting his way through while his teachers receded into the past, he schooled himself after his own fashion. Indeed, the characteristics, noted already by Dr. Tucker in college days, were destined to mark him always. His later thoughts, like his early opinions, attest his personal outlook rather than the influence of masters. In any case, it is not till 1880 that he begins to betray a distinct swing towards the standpoint with which he will ever be associated in the history of American philosophy. His major...