Nothing is easier than for the
ignorant to ridicule the propositions of the learned. And yet,
with every reserve, I cannot but feel that the disputes to which I
have alluded prove the necessity of bringing scientific precision
of language into the whole domain of thought. If the discussion
had been confined to a few, and other philosophers had analyzed
the subject, and showed the fictitious character of the
discussion, or had pointed out where opinions really might differ,
there would be nothing derogatory to philosophers. But the most
suggestive circumstance is that although a large proportion of the
philosophic writers in recent times have devoted more or less
attention to the subject, few, or none, have made even this modest
contribution. I speak with some little confidence on this subject,
because several years ago I wrote to one of the most acute
thinkers of the country, asking if he could find in philosophic
literature any terms or definitions expressive of the three
different senses in which not only the word freedom, but nearly
all words implying freedom were used. His search was in vain.
Nothing of this sort occurs in the practical affairs of life. All
terms used in business, however general or abstract, have that
well-defined meaning which is the first requisite of the
scientific language.
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