哲學史-philosophy of history(英文版)

第17部分 (第3/7頁)

e　as　at　a　later　period　appeared　as　Eleatic　philosophy　and　as　the　Spinozistic　System；　while

in　virtue　of　its　expressing　itself　also　in　abstract　numbers　and　lines；　Pythagorean　and　Christian

principles　have　been　supposed　to　be　detected　in　it。　Instances　of　bravery　and　indomitable　courage；

—　traits　of　magnanimity；　of　self…denial；　and　self…sacrifice；　which　are　found　among　the　most　savage

and　the　most　pusillanimous　nations；　—　are　regarded　as　sufficient　to　support　the　view　that　in　these

nations　as　much　of　social　virtue　and　morality　may　be　found　as　in　the　most　civilised　Christian　states；

or　even　more。　And　on　this　ground　a　doubt　has　been　suggested　whether　in　the　progress　of　history

and　of　general　culture　mankind　have　bee　better；　whether　their　morality　has　been　increased；　—

morality　being　regarded　in　a　subjective　aspect　and　view；　as　founded　on　what　the　agent　holds　to　be

right　and　wrong；　good　and　evil；　not　on　a　principle　which　is　considered　to　be　in　and　for　itself　right

and　good；　or　a　crime　and　evil；　or　on　a　particular　religion　believed　to　be　the　true　one。

§　74

We　may　fairly　decline　on　this　occasion　the　task　of　tracing　the　formalism　and　error　of　such　a　view；

and　establishing　the　true　principles　of　morality；　or　rather　of　social　virtue　in　opposition　to　false

morality。　For　the　History　of　the　World　occupies　a　higher　ground　than　that　on　which　morality　has

properly　its　position；　which　is　personal　character　—　the　conscience　of　individuals；　—　their　particular

will　and　mode　of　action；　these　have　a　value；　imputation；　reward　or；　punishment　proper　to

themselves。　What　the　absolute　aim　of　Spirit　requires　and　acplishes；　—　what　Providence　does；

—　transcends　the　obligations；