Skip to main content

The Introspective Method in Knowledge

  • Chapter
John Grote
  • 55 Accesses

Abstract

Let us turn from a consideration of Phenomenalist Logic where the basis for knowledge is erroneously, according to Grote, regarded as real independent of us, to a consideration of the introspectionist method in knowledge. For without that which is introspected there can be no knowledge. That is, the field of the introspective is necessary to all knowledge, and without this field, or, more specifically, without ‘philosophy’ or consciousness there could be phenomena. Since the thought side of reality is so significant it seems appropriate to devote a special chapter to it.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. For introspection is “observation directed upon the self or its mental states and operations. The term is the modern equivalent of ‘reflection’ and ‘inner sense’ as employed by Locke and Kant.” Runes, DOP, 149.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Locke, EHU, in Frost, MOP, 378.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Op. cit., 379.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Op. cit., 380, 381.

    Google Scholar 

  5. “Expressions which are in no way composite signify substance, quantity, quality, relation, place, time, position, state, action, or affection.” Aristotle, BWA, 8.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Grote, EP, I, 242.

    Google Scholar 

  7. We will consider chiefly Locke, Berkeley, and Hume.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Grote, EP, I, ix.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Op. cit., 153.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Grote, EP, I, 236, 237.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Substance is, for Locke, “something I know not what.”

    Google Scholar 

  12. Grote, EP, II, 90.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Rand, EHU, 66.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Gibson, JL, 21.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Forsyth, EP, 140.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Hume, EHU, 16.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Loc. cit.

    Google Scholar 

  18. Salmon, CPH, 14.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Windelband, HOP, 473.

    Google Scholar 

  20. Hume, EHU, 18, 19.

    Google Scholar 

  21. Op. cit., 15.

    Google Scholar 

  22. Sabine, PE, 43, 44.

    Google Scholar 

  23. Seth, EPS, 150.

    Google Scholar 

  24. Hume, EHU, 18, 19.

    Google Scholar 

  25. Hume, EHU, sec. III.

    Google Scholar 

  26. Op. cit., sec. IV.

    Google Scholar 

  27. Op. cit., 24.

    Google Scholar 

  28. Op. cit., 24, 25.

    Google Scholar 

  29. It will clarify remarks made on relations to note specifically how Hume classifies these relations. There are seven different kinds of philosophical relation, viz. resemblance, identity, relations of time and place, proportion in quantity or number, degrees in any quality, contrariety, and causation. These relations may be divided into two classes; into such as depend entirely on the ideas, which we compare together, and such as may be chang’d without any change in the ideas. Hume, THN, 185. It appears … that of these seven philosophical relations, there remain only four, which depending solely upon ideas, can be the objects of knowledge and certainty. These four are resemblance, contrariety, degrees in quality, and proportions in quantity or number. Hume, THN, 186. This is all I think necessary to observe concerning those four relations, which are the foundation of science; but as to the other three, which depend not upon the idea, and may be absent or present even while that remains the same,’ twill be proper to explain them more particularly. These three relations are identity, the situations in time and place, and causation. Hume, THN, 190.

    Google Scholar 

  30. Hume, EHU, 15.

    Google Scholar 

  31. Hume, EHU, 15.

    Google Scholar 

  32. Italics mine.

    Google Scholar 

  33. Berkeley, WOR, I, 81.

    Google Scholar 

  34. Op. cit., 339.

    Google Scholar 

  35. Berkeley, WOR, I, 444, 445.

    Google Scholar 

  36. Grote, EP, II, 123, 124.

    Google Scholar 

  37. Berkeley, op. cit., II, 413n.

    Google Scholar 

  38. Berkeley, WOR, II, 414, 415.

    Google Scholar 

  39. Mansel, LLR, 390.

    Google Scholar 

  40. Grote, EP, II, 128.

    Google Scholar 

  41. Abbott, SAT, 60.

    Google Scholar 

  42. Grote, op. cit., 91.

    Google Scholar 

  43. Grote, EP, II, 92.

    Google Scholar 

  44. Windelband, HOP, 658, 659.

    Google Scholar 

  45. Grote, loc. cit.

    Google Scholar 

  46. Pollock, SLP, 129, 130.

    Google Scholar 

  47. Spinoza, ETH, prop. 43.

    Google Scholar 

  48. Spencer, AUT, I, 304.

    Google Scholar 

  49. Pringle-Pattison, PR, 119.

    Google Scholar 

  50. Guthrie, SUK, 476.

    Google Scholar 

  51. Op. cit., 475.

    Google Scholar 

  52. Op. cit., 157.

    Google Scholar 

  53. Grote, EP, II, 94, 95.

    Google Scholar 

  54. Spencer, AUT, II, 314.

    Google Scholar 

  55. Seth, EPS, 292, 293.

    Google Scholar 

  56. Cf. pp. 83-84, above.

    Google Scholar 

  57. Grote, EP, II, 99.

    Google Scholar 

  58. Grote, op. cit., I, 153.

    Google Scholar 

  59. Spencer, POP, 192.

    Google Scholar 

  60. Let us consider, briefly, the following works by Morell: 1. Historical and Critical View of the Speculative Philosophy of Europe in the Nineteenth Century; 2. The Elements of Psychology.

    Google Scholar 

  61. Morell, EOP.

    Google Scholar 

  62. Grote seems to mean, “hang human knowledge (as we appreciate it by consciousness) on to.”

    Google Scholar 

  63. Grote, EP, II, 107.

    Google Scholar 

  64. Op. cit., 106.

    Google Scholar 

  65. Introspection, according to Ledger Wood, has to do with “observation directed upon the self or its mental states and operations.” Runes, DOP, 149.

    Google Scholar 

  66. The reasons for implying that Hume is less subjectivist than Berkeley are at least two: (1) Hume accepts ‘impressions’ as a fundamental postulate for his epistemology. (2) In dealing with relations he assumes that there are relations of ‘matters of fact.’ Berkeley, on the other hand, seems to be specifically subjectivist in postulating that there is no reality ‘without the mind.’

    Google Scholar 

  67. Hume, THN, 186.

    Google Scholar 

  68. Chapter IX.

    Google Scholar 

  69. In Chapter VIII.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1966 Martinus Nijhoff, The Hague, Netherlands

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

MacDonald, L.D. (1966). The Introspective Method in Knowledge. In: John Grote. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-9239-2_7

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-9239-2_7

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-011-8504-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-011-9239-2

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics