ELEMENTS OF MENTAL PHILOSOPHY, EMBRACING THE TWO DEPARTMENTS OF THE INTELLECT AND THE SENSIBILITIES. BY THOMAS C. UPHAM, OM2 PREFACE. IN preparing the following work, I trust I have felt, in some degree, the responsibility which obviously ought to attach to such an attempt. It has been my object, aided by the views and researches which have characterized the labours of various philosophical sects, to give a condensed, but just and impartial, account of most of the leading principles of Mental Philosophy, so far as they appear to be ascertained and recognised at the present time. The Work, accordingly, is essentially Eclectic in its character; and, as such, can neither incur the discredit, nor claim the honour, of belonging exclusively to any of the great Philosophical Schools, although it does not hesitate to acknowledge its indebtedness to all. In connexion with a cordial application of the Eclectic principle, which has laid open to me the truth wherever it may be found, and under whatever name, I have felt it important to adhere as closely as possible to the rules of Inductive philosophizing, in opposition to that excess of bold conjecture and unchastened speculation which has too often perplexed and deformed mental inquiries. In this way I have hoped, with Divine assistance, to prepare a Work which, together with some important views that might, perhaps, properly be considered original, should select, arrange, and systematize the doctrines of a multitude of writers; and which, while it might commend itself with some degree of confidence to the philosopher, should, at the same time, be accordant, as sound Philosophy ever will be, with the principles and interests of correct morals and religion. The aspect of the times evidently demanded that the attempt should be made by somebody. There is no question that a Work of this kind, especially in connexion with the mental training of young persons, has for some time been greatly needed. But whether I have succeeded in meeting the reasonable expectations and wishes of the friends of literature, I must leave to others to decide. The reader will notice that the Work proceeds, after a brief discussion of the doctrine of Primary Truths, and a few other preparatory views, upon the basis of a threefold division of the mind, viz., the INTELLECT, the SENSIBILITIES, and the WILL. This general division, which, notwithstanding its obvious importance, has not generally been made prominent in philosophical writers, and has even been rejected by some, is strictly adhered to throughout. From this general division other subordinate arrangements and classifications, some of which are peculiar to the present Work, naturally and easily flow. And thus the reader will find the whole subject opening itself connectedly and symmetrically, and in such a manner as to present, in its completed outline, not merely a disjointed congeries of philosophical facts, but the regularity and beauty of a philosophical system. The general division. of the Sensibilities is into the Natural and Moral. Under the head of the MORAL SENSIBILITIES, I have examined the subject of conscience at some length and in various points of view, and cannot but hope that some of the difficulties which have hitherto attended it have been removed; and that the whole subject is placed, to some extent, in a consistent and satisfactory light. In many other respects, particularly in the classification of the Emotions and the Desires, and their relation to each other, and in some of the doctrines which are contained in the volume on the Will, the reader will find some important views, which I suppose he will not be likely to find in other philosophical works. It has already been intimated, that the method of inquiry which is pursued is rather inductive than speculative. In other words, I have endeavoured in every case, where the nature of the inquiry admitted of it, to make well-ascertained facts the basis of the conclusions which have been adopted. Furthermore, in selecting such facts, it has been an object to take those which not only had relation to the matter under discussion, but which promised a degree of interest to the reader, particularly to young minds. Simplicity and uniformity of style have been aimed at, although, in a few instances, the statements of other writers, which conveyed important and well-ascertained views, have been admitted with only slight variations when it was thought they had been peculiarly happy in them As I can truly say my object in writing has not been the honour and the rewards of authorship, to which I should consider myself but poorly qualified to aspire, but rather the good of my fellow-men, particularly those who are in a course of education, I did not feel at liberty to prejudice the general design by rejecting the facts, arguments, and, in a few cases, even the expressions of others. I now commend the Work to the acceptance of the public, in the belief that, so far as it is worthy of their acceptance, it will be sufficiently well received. And if it should prove otherwise, I do not know that I shall have occasion to regret the labour I have bestowed upon it THOMAS C. UPHAM Bowdoin College, May, 1840. 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