PREFACE TO FOURTH EDITION. IN preparing a new edition of Professor Fleming's Vocabulary of Philosophy, it has been found impossible to adhere to the plan adopted in last edition, of retaining the form in which the book came from the Author's hands. Such an interval has elapsed since his death, and so many important additions have been made to philosophic literature since that time, that a reconstruction of the work had become needful. In undertaking the task of revision, the objects contemplated have been the following: (1) to indicate variations in usage that have occurred in the history of philosophic terms; (2) to guide students in their use of a large library by ample references to the literature of the subject; (3) to meet urgent demands in course of study by selecting appropriate quotations from standard authors. In prosecuting revision with these objects in view, quotations have been withdrawn which seemed of secondary importance. Fully one half of the book is new, bringing it quite up to the date of publication. An intention formed at the outset of showing in the text the new matter introduced was early abandoned, because of the risk of encumbering the page by constant reappearance of brackets. Throughout the laborious work of revision, verification, and selection of extracts I have been very ably supported by Mr James Seth, M.A., whom I, with the consent of all |