Encyclopedia of sacred theology - pagina 118

94

§ 42.

THE SPIRITUAL SCIENCES

[Div. II

which and thus obstructs the way to the universal and necessary character of your science. You find a certain number of phenomena in common, but even these common properties are endlessly modified. And the worst is that in proportion as an individual is a richer object, and thus would offer the more abundant material for observation, the development of his individuality is the stronger, and by so much the less does such an individual lend himself to comparison. From a sharply defined character there are almost no conclusions assert itself to its fullest extent that individuality

principle resists every effort to generalize,

to be drawn.

And along with this third difficulty

is

amorphic and unstable characteristic a

that in most of the spiritual sciences you are

dependent upon the self-communication of your object. It true, you can study man in his actions and habits. His But if it is face tells you something his eye still more. your desire to obtain a somewhat more accurate knowledge of the spiritual phenomena in him, in order to become acquainted with him, there must be in him (1) a certain knowledge of himself, and (2) the power and will to reveal himself to you. If, then, as a result of all such self-communication you desire to form some opinion on the spiritual phenomenon which you investigate, especially in connection with what has been said above, such self-communication must be made by a great number of persons and amid all sorts of circumstances. Moreover, many difficulties arise in connection with this self -communication of your object. (2) So (1) Most people lack sufficient self-knowledge. many people lack the ability to impart to you their selfknowledge. (3) Much is told as though it were the result of self-knowledge, which is in reality only the repetition of what others have said. (4) Man}^ do not want to is

;

:

reveal themselves, or purposely

make statements

that mis-

(5) Self-knowledge is frequently connected with intimate considerations or facts which are not communicable. lead.

(6) With the same individual this self-communication will be wholly different at one time from another. And (7) a right

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