HOYT, MR. AND MRS. JOHN W. SCHÖNFELD, HERMANN

MEMOIRS

OF THE

Society for Philosophical Inquiry

OF

WASHINGTON, D. C.

MINUTES OF THE PRELIMINARY MEETING.

The persons proposing to form a society in Washington for the pursuit of philosophy met by appointment in the room of Dr. Sterrett, at the Columbian University, at 5 P. M., January 20, 1893. Present were Dr. W. T. Harris, Dr. J. C. Welling, Prof. J. McB. Sterrett, Prof. L. D. Lodge, L. F. Ward, H. Schönfeld, F. Sewall, E. Gordon Clark, A. M. Hilliker, M. M. Snell, F. R. Fava, and E. Farquhar.

On motion, Dr. Harris consented to take the chair for organization. The more specific objects of the society and the name it should assume were then considered. Dr. Harris suggested the discussion of problems or questions in philosophy as an eligible mode of activity; in pursuance of which Dr. Welling proposed the name of "Society for Philosophical Inquiry." The suggestion of Dr. Harris seemed to obtain full response, and to call forth no dissent; it was, therefore, provisionally adopted for the procedure of the society. After free discussion of several alternative names, that proposed by Dr. Welling was returned to and, on motion, adopted.

The society next proceeded to organize by the election of officers. Dr. Harris declining to serve as chairman on account of engrossing occupations, Dr. Sterrett was elected to that position, and E. Farquhar to that of secretary; these accordingly assumed their respective functions. It was provided that these officers should act as an executive committee for such duty as might arise pertaining to such an organ. The time and period of meetings now engaged attention, and it was resolved that they be held the first Tuesday of each month, with special meetings as might be appointed, at 4:30* P. M., in Dr. Sterrett's lecture room. The question of a constitution was considered; several inclined to dispense with this instrument, but by a majority vote it was agreed that some form of one should be drafted, and a committee was named the purpose consisting of Messrs. Harris, Sewall and Lodge.

Questions in regard to membership, further officers and mode of procedure were raised, but not definitely concluded, and the society advanced to the selection of its first problem for discussion. Several were offered, but universal favor greeted that of Mr. Ward, "Whether Mind is a Substance or a Relation." This was accordingly designated as question for next meeting, which was appointed specially for the following Tuesday, January 24th. Then adjourned.

At the meeting, January 24, 1893, Dr. Sterrett read a paper on the "End and Aim of the Society for Philosophical Inquiry." Afterwards Mr. L. F. Ward's paper was read and discussed, and the discussion was continued at the special meeting of the week following.

Regular Meeting, February 7th.

Fourteen members and guests were present.

Minutes of the preliminary meeting were read, those of the special meetings omitted for the time. The committee on constitution presented its report, and the constitution *Afterwards changed to 4:25.

thus commended to the society was adopted without discussion. A committee on membership was named by the chair, consisting of Messrs. Harris, Clark, Hilliker, Powell and Sewall.

The consideration of the question before the Society, "Whether mind is a substance or a relation," was continued from the last two meetings. The chair announced the method of discussion planned for the present conference, that several members shall consider each a particular aspect of the question as presented in Mr. Ward's paper, of which copies were put into the hands of all the members.

The first part, assigned to Maj. Powell, was an examination of Mr. Ward's general system. His categories were variously criticised and a new series proposed in the place of some, falling into two main branches, as intellections and emotions.

Prof. Lodge, appointed to test the logical validity of Mr. Ward's positions and conclusions, questioned of his motion, whether it could be taken as an ultimate fact; of his infinite, what it meant; of his force, how the idea of it arose; of his life, whether, indeed, the conception of it as entity were obsolete; of his mind, whether it possessed no attributes impossible to deduce from matter.

Dr. Harris, designated to inquire into the sufficiency of the primary principles, investigated whether time, space and motion were properly relations of being at all; concluding that a true substance must be self-related and capable of originating phenomenal relations. Questions interposing, this treatment was not finished when the hour of adjournment was announced. Provision was made for a special meeting on the 14th, and for the conduct of regular meetings.

It was agreed that those invited to the first meeting should be considered as members without further election.

Regular Meeting, March 7th.

The Committee on Membership rendered its first report. The names of B. E. Fernow and M. H. Doolittle were presented as having been favorably acted on, and they were forthwith elected to membership by the Society. The report further recommended that women be admitted to the Society on the same conditions as men," which, being submitted to the Society, was affirmed. In pursuance of this enactment the names of Olive Risley Seward, Sara C. Upton, Annie T. Smith, Frances G. French, Julia Mindeleff and Caroline H. Dall were presented to the Society, and they were elected. Prof. S. P. Langley and Prof. A. P. Montague were then added to this list of new members, which was afterward further enlarged by the names of Welford Addis, G. R. Stetson and H. P. Ward. The conference then adjourned to its general meeting, in the larger room adjoining.

Rev. F. Sewall, the speaker appointed for the occasion, read a paper on the Philosophy of Swedenborg and of Emerson, especially as applied to the imagination, presenting the subject as from an inside point of view. Discussion being invited, Dr. Harris offered some remarks on the history and mode of Emerson's treatment; and Maj. Powell developed his idea of symbols, pointing out those of actual nature, but questioning those of Swedenborg as rather dream than insight. A special meeting was called. for Tuesday next, Dr. Harris to present a paper on "Mind as First Principle."*

Regular Meeting, April 4th.

The Committee on Membership reported, presenting the names of Dr. R. Reyburn, Mrs. Bailey Willis and Mrs. F. H. Bigelow. The report was adopted in whole, thus electing these persons as members.

*Afterward altered to "Difference of Philosophy and Scientific Method."