WHEN we survey our experience, the manner in
which we view it as a whole, and the correspond-
ing manner in which we order our lives, may be de-
scribed as our philosophy. It follows that every one
must have a philosophy of some sort in so far as he
attempts to act consistently or rationally; and what
philosophy at any stage of its development seeks for
is a viewpoint from which all aspects of our existing
experience may as far as possible appear consistent
with one another. It therefore discusses how far any
particular belief is consistent with all aspects of our
experience, or requires modification to make it so. It
may be consistent with part of our experience, but
this is not enough.

The general objection is often made against philo-
sophy that system follows system of philosophy, each
system being destructive of its predecessor, so that
philosophy represents only a vain endeavour which
may be neglected safely. But this is a completely
superficial view. The ideas of every important philo-
sophical writer are based on the work of his predeces-
sors; and that work is not lost, but carried forward in
his own ideas. It is exactly the same with science as
with philosophy. When new light is thrown on the
general ideas previously held in any branch of science
the old ideas are not destroyed, but only developed
into a form which is more consistent with experience.

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