The well-known philosopher Edward von Hartmann defines his position
with reference to the idea of an unconscious representation. Granting
that there are no unconscious sensations, perceptions, conceptions
or memories, because feeling either is conscious or not at all, he
introduces the idea of unconscious representations again as the most
adequate determination. He says, “Either we must renounce all speaking
and thinking of non-sensual objects or we must be satisfied with using
figurative expressions.”
M. J. Monrad, a Norwegian, argues, in the second article against M. E.
Renan’s theory of prayer, whom he had visited some years ago in Paris,
that prayer has after all an effect upon the objective world and it is
not limited to a merely subjective and psychological influence. Monrad
presupposes a belief in God, prayer bringing the individual in unison
with God, changes the will of the individual into a co-ordinate willing
of God and thus renders the individual a co-worker of God. This, however,
should not be conceived to take place by magic and in contradiction to
nature, but through nature, man using the laws of nature.
F. Tönnies of Kiel gives an exposition of Mr. Spencer’s social views
which are, briefly expressed, “the final victory of society over
the state.” Professor Tönnies answers that “we all want a higher
civilisation, but the development of a higher civilisation is not
conditioned by the final victory of society over the state. On the
contrary, it may be said that it depends upon a victory of the state over
society in so far as public rights will supersede private rights.... The
truth is that state and society are contingent, the one upon the other
and also limiting each other.” (Berlin: Dr. R. Salinger.)
κρς.