Le Positivisme Anglais: Etude Sur Stuart Mill

A philosophical analysis written in the mid-19th century. The work explores the doctrine of British philosopher John Stuart Mill, focusing on his ideas about empiricism and logic. Taine discusses the influences of historical philosophical thought and critiques the current state of English philosophy, particularly its reliance on facts rather than overarching theories. The opening of the work sets the stage for Taine’s examination by introducing his interactions with a young Englishman during a visit to Oxford, where they reflect on the shortcomings of English scientific education and philosophical thinking. Taine highlights a perceived absence of speculative thought, emphasizing that although practical science is abundant, the underlying philosophical questions regarding causes and principles remain unaddressed. He suggests that while England boasts skilled scientists, it lacks profound thinkers who can grapple with fundamental philosophical challenges, establishing a framework for his later analysis of Mill’s contributions to logic and inductive reasoning.