when； having zealously applied myself to the writings of
Anaxagoras； I found that he adduces only external causes； such as Atmosphere； Ether； Water；
and the like。” It is evident that the defect which Socrates plains of respecting Anaxagoras's
doctrine； does not concern the principle itself； but the shorting of the propounder in applying it
to Nature in the concrete。 Nature is not deduced from that principle： the latter remains in fact a
mere abstraction； inasmuch as the former is not prehended and exhibited as a development of
it； — an organisation produced by and from Reason。 I wish； at the very outset； to call your
attention to the important difference between a conception； a principle； a truth limited to an
abstract form and its determinate application； and concrete development。 This distinction affects
the whole fabric of philosophy； and among other bearings of it there is one to which we shall have
to revert at the close of our view of Universal History； in investigating the aspect of political affairs
in the most recent period。
§ 17
We have next to notice the rise of this idea — that Reason directs the World — in connection with
a further application of it； well known to us； — in the form； viz。 of the religious truth； that the
world is not abandoned to chance and external contingent causes； but that a Providence controls
it。 I stated above； that I would not make a demand on your faith； in regard to the principle
announced。 Yet I might appeal to your belief in it； in this religious aspect； if； as a general rule； the
nature of philosophical science allowed it to attach authority to presuppositions。 To put it in
another shape； — this ap