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BY

BORDEN P. BOWNE,

PROFESSOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN BOSTON UNIVERSITY, AND AUTHOR OF
"THE PHILOSOPHY OF HERBERT SPENCER,"

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PREFACE.

HE following papers have been written long

THE

enough for me to become somewhat dissatisfied with them. But as I still agree with them for "substance of doctrine," and as I have not the time for a rewriting, I venture their publication. The Introduction is written for the sake of calling attention to several points which are rather obscurely stated in the work itself, and which are of great importance in estimating the value of the theistic argument. The title shows that the work does not claim to be a complete treatise on theism.

I have dwelt mainly upon the theoretical aspects of the question, and have aimed to expound principles rather than to give illustrations. No other method can be decisive. Illustrations can have

little value until principles are settled; and when they are settled, there is less need of illustration. At the same time I have not written for a philosophical audience. If I had had such readers in mind, both matter and form would have been modified. This, however, does not mean that I have misrepresented my own views, but only that many

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