Excerpt from The Laws of Thought
I. Philosophy, in its widest and most general acceptation, is that branch of human knowledge which has for its subject matter whatever concerns the welfare of mankind, viewed as rational existences. In its strict and most proper sense, it is the love of Wisdom, or, as Des Cartes expresses it, the study of Wisdom. According to Cicero, Philosophy is a search after the best state of life; and Seneca considers it to be the great lesson of every moment of our lives. Mr. Locke defines it to be the proper business and science of mankind; or, a set of rules for ascertain ing the true and lasting foundation of human happiness, the keeping of which is indispensable to' that end. It was Pythagoras who, it appears, first assumed the appellation of Philosopher and excepting its modern application in this country, the term has usually been held applicable only to those who have made the phenomena of the human mind the peculiar subject of their investigations. In former times - even in our own land - Philosophy was held to be a highly reputable pur suit; but owing to the term being applied to all manner of.
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