Historical Philosophy in France and French Belgium and Switzerland

The aim of the present work is twofold—historical and critical. Its primary purpose is to trace the course of human thought in its endeavours to explain human history; or, in other words, to give an account of the rise and progress of reflection and speculation on the development of humanity. The task must be amply worth an effort to accomplish. At a time when all history is tending to become scientific, and almost all science is availing itself of the assistance of history; at a time also when man and society are felt as never before to be the nearest and noblest studies of mankind, — it requires but little perspicacity to foresee that thoughtful minds will soon be far more generally and earnestly engaged in seeking to attain a philosophical comprehension of history than they have ever yet been. It cannot, therefore, be inopportune to record what has already been attempted and achieved in this department of intellectual effort.