Three years after the _coup d’état_, in the same year in which Comte completed his _Système de Politique_ positive, 1854, Renouvier published the first volume of his _magnum opus_, the _Essais de Critique générale_.[18] The appearance of this work is a notable date in the development of modern French philosophy. The problems therein discussed will concern us in later chapters. Here we must point out the indefatigable labour given to this work by Renouvier. The writing and revision of these essays covered almost the whole of the half century, concluding in 1897. In their first, briefer form they occupied the decade 1854-64, and consisted of four volumes only, which on revision became finally thirteen.[19] These Essays range over Logic, Psychology, the Philosophy of the Sciences and the Philosophy of History.
[18] It is interesting for the comparative study of the thought of the century to observe that the great work of Lotze in Germany, _Mikrocosmos_, was contemporaneous with the _Essais_ of Renouvier. Lotze’s three volumes appeared in 1856, 1858 and 1864. The _Logik_ and _Metaphysik_ of Lotze should also be compared with Renouvier’s _Essais_. Further comparison or contrast may be made with reference to the _Logic_ of both Bradley and Bosanquet in England.
[19] Since 1912 the _Essais de Critique générale_ are available in ten volumes, owing to the publications of new editions of the first three Essays by A. Colin in five volumes. For details of the original and revised publication of the work, see our Bibliography, under Renouvier (pp. 334-335).
Having thus laid the foundations of his own throught, Renouvier, in conjunction with his scholarly friend Pillon, undertook the publication of a monthly periodical, _L’Année philosophique_, to encourage philosophic thought in France. This appeared first in 1867, the same year in which Ravaisson laid the foundations of the new spiritualism by his celebrated _Rapport_. In 1869 Renouvier published his noteworthy treatise upon Ethics, in two volumes, _La Science de la Morale_.
The war of 1870 brought his monthly periodical to an untimely end. The conclusion of the war in 1871 resulted in the establishment, for the third time, of a republic, which in spite of many vicissitudes has continued even to this day. With the restoration of peace and of a republic, Renouvier felt encouraged to undertake the ambitious scheme of publishing a weekly paper, not only philosophical in character but political, literary and religious. He desired ardently to address his countrymen at a time when they were rather intellectually and morally bewildered. He felt he had something constructive to offer, and hoped that the “new criticism,” as he called it, might become the philosophy of the new republic. Thus was founded, in 1872, the famous _Critique philosophique_, which aimed primarily at the consolidation of the republic politically and morally,[20] This paper appeared as a weekly from its commencement until 1884,then continued for a further five years as a monthly. Renouvier and his friend Pillon were assisted by other contributors, A. Sabatier, L. Dauriac, R. Allier, who were more or less disciples of the neo-critical school. Various articles were contributed by William James, who had a great admiration for Renouvier. The two men, although widely different in temperament and method, had certain affinities in their doctrine of truth and certitude.[21]