A Defence of Philosophic Doubt: Being an Essay on the Foundations of Belief

ON THE IDEA OF A PHILOSOPHY.

EVERYTHING that we know, or think we know, may be classed under one of four heads, which, without departing very widely from ordinary usage, may be named thus: Science, Metaphysics, Ethics, and Philosophy. By Science is meant here, not only what commonly goes by that name, but also history, and knowledge of particular matters of fact; so that ‘ knowledge of phenomena and the relations subsisting between phenomena ‘ would be a more accurate, though less convenient, expression for what is intended. In Metaphysics is included, not only Theology and all doctrines of the Absolute, but also (and this is not necessarily the same thing) all real or supposed knowledge of entities which are not phenomenal.

What is meant by Ethics I have shown at length in the Appendix which will be found at the end of the volume. Here it is only necessary to say that it includes, not only what are commonly called moral systems, but also some analogous systems not usually so described.