“In thirteen chapters Dr. Hyslop discusses, first introductory questions (chapters 1 and 2), then (chapters 3–8) the problems of the theory of knowledge, thereafter (chapters 9–12) metaphysical theories, with special reference to ‘materialism’ and ‘spiritualism’; and finally, (chapter 13) he sums up his results in a general discussion of the office, the duties, the prospects, and the ethical significance of philosophy. This final chapter, very readable by itself, even apart from the rest of the book, is probably the one which the student of social and of ethical problems will find the most interesting.”—Int. J. Ethics.
“Professor Hyslop’s style is vigorous and clear. The book will afford valuable collateral readings in philosophical courses, and even where instruction takes issue with it, it should prove a healthy foil. In certain ranges, as the discussion of materialism and spiritualism, it occupies unique territory.” H. B. Alexander.
+ + Bookm. 22: 526. Ja. ’06. 330w.
“The questions discussed are fundamental ones. The spirit is that of an unassuming, modest, but extremely patient, minute, and laborious inquirer, who spares neither his own pains, nor, upon some occasions, his reader’s powers of attention. This book has everywhere an admirable individuality and an unconventionality of procedure which are obvious and wholesome, even when the views themselves which are defended, appear to be less original, or even when, to the present reviewer’s mind, they are least valuable as results. Dr. Hyslop’s English is often unnecessarily hard to follow, not by reason of mere technicalities, but by reason of imperfectly constructed sentences.” Josiah Royce.
+ + – Int. J. Ethics. 16: 236. Ja. ’06. 2320w.
“It is a book which a hostile or wearied critic would have ample excuse for condemning utterly.”
+ – Nation. 82: 329. Ap. 19, ’06. 520w.
“It will not fully commend itself to philosophic thinkers in general.”
+ + – Outlook. 81: 572. N. 4, ’05. 830w.