It is an attempt to settle first principles so
authoritatively that no one need so much as even think of ever re-
opening them for himself or feel any, even the faintest, misgiving
upon the matter. It is an attempt to get an irrefragably safe
investment, and this cannot be got, no matter how low the interest,
which in the case of religion is about as low as it can be.
Any religion that cannot be founded on half a sheet of note-paper
will be bottom-heavy, and this, in a matter so essentially of
sentiment as religion, is as bad as being top-heavy in a material
construction. It must of course catch on to reason, but the less it
emphasises the fact the better.
Logic
Logic has no place save with that which can be defined in words. It
has nothing to do, therefore, with those deeper questions that have
got beyond words and consciousness. To apply logic here is as
fatuous as to disregard it in cases where it is applicable. The
difficulty lies, as it always does, on the border lines between the
respective spheres of influence.
Logic and Faith
Logic is like the sword--those who appeal to it shall perish by it.
Faith is appealing to the living God, and one may perish by that too,
but somehow one would rather perish that way than the other, and one
has got to perish sooner or later.
Common Sense and Philosophy
The voices of common sense and of high philosophy sometimes cross;
but common sense is the unalterable canto fermo and philosophy is the
variable counterpoint.
Pages:
429
430
431
432
433
434
435
436
437
438
439
440
441
442
443
444
445
446
447
448
449
450
451
452
453