An examination and popular exposition of the hylo-idealistic philosophy / by William Bell M'Taggart.

  • M'Taggart, William Bell, -1919.
Date:
[1884?]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: An examination and popular exposition of the hylo-idealistic philosophy / by William Bell M'Taggart. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    I have, then, here pointed out what I consider to be the failing of ‘Julian’s’ vigorous intellect, namely, its dogmatism; and as this dogmatism may lead to serious consequences,—even to the upsetting of Hylo-Idealism altogether,—I feel here compelled to examine another of ‘Julian’s’ statements. This statement, it is true, is not contained in any definite exposition of Hylo-Idealism; but as ‘Julian’ is the popular exponent of the creed, and as the subjects are mutually bound up, I think it right to call attention to the matter. It is astonish- ing to me how a philosopher of ‘Julian’s’ learning, capacity, and vigour of thought can have fallen into what I must consider as error. He has done so, however, and therefore, I suppose, there are others who have done the same. And as these assertions lie at the root of the subject, and must bear the weight of much superstructure, the question must be examined fully; and let the reader judge between him and me. In the number of the Secular Review for June 23, 1883, ‘Julian’ writes:— ‘ In regard to the testimony of “ six persons ” to an vn- possible event [the italics are mine], 6000 w^ould not render it credible, nor sixty times 6000. Let us take a well- known case,—the pullets of Compostella. These pullets were roasted and served at the table of the Alcayde. He was just about to carve them, when they resuscitated, and while those present were dumbfounded with amaze- ment, and opened the door to run away, in flew the heads, legs, feathers, and wings to dress the pullets. These wonderful birds were carried in grand procession to Compostella, and thousands upon thousands testify to the truth of this story,—popes and cardinals, bishops and abbots, lords and peasants, almost without number.’ But ‘Julian’ asserts that not all the bulls that ever issued from the Vatican, nor all the testimony of all the pilgrims that have worn feathers from these pullets, nor all the eye- witnesses of the Alcayde and his company, could render