mal Worship, Star
Worship.--Impersonation of Divine Attributes.--Pantheism.--The
Trinities of Egypt.--Incarnation.--Redemption.--Future
Judgment.--Trial of the Dead.--Rituals and Ceremonies._ 56

CHAPTER IV.

GREEK AGE OF INQUIRY.

RISE AND DECLINE OF PHYSICAL SPECULATION.

IONIAN PHILOSOPHY, _commencing from Egyptian Ideas, identifies
in Water, or Air, or Fire, the First Principle.--Emerging from
the Stage of Sorcery, it founds Psychology, Biology,
Cosmogony, Astronomy, and ends in doubting whether there is
any Criterion of Truth._

ITALIAN PHILOSOPHY _depends on Numbers and Harmonies.--It
reproduces the Egyptian and Hindu Doctrine of Transmigration._

ELEATIC PHILOSOPHY _presents a great Advance, indicating a
rapid Approach to Oriental Ideas.--It assumes a Pantheistic
Aspect._

RISE OF PHILOSOPHY IN EUROPEAN GREECE.--_Relations and
Influence of the Mediterranean Commercial and Colonial
System.--Athens attains to commercial Supremacy.--Her vast
Progress in Intelligence and Art.--Her Demoralization.--She
becomes the Intellectual Centre of the Mediterranean._

_Commencement of the Athenian higher Analysis.--It is
conducted by_ THE SOPHISTS, _who reject Philosophy, Religion,
and even Morality, and end in Atheism._

_Political Dangers of the higher Analysis.--Illustration from
the Middle Ages._ 94

CHAPTER V.

THE GREEK AGE OF FAITH.

RISE AND DECLINE OF ETHICAL PHILOSOPHY.

SOCRATES _rejects Physical and Mathematical Speculations, and
asserts the Importance of Virtue and Morality, thereby
inaugurating an Age of Faith.--His Life and Death.--The
schools originating from his Movement teach the Pursuit of
Pleasure and Gratification of Self._

PLATO _founds the Academy.--His three primal Principles.--The
Existence of a personal God.--Nature of the World and the
Soul.--The ideal Theory, Generals or
Types.--Reminiscence.--Transmigration.--Plato's political
Institutions.--His Republic.--His Proofs of the Immortality of
the Soul.--Criticism on his Doctrines._

RISE OF THE SCEPTICS, _who conduct the higher Analysis of
Ethical Philosophy.--Pyrrho demonstrates the Uncertainty of
Knowledge.--Inevitable Passage into tranquil Indifference,
Quietude, and Irreligion, as recommended by
Epicurus.--Decomposition