But this goal cannot be reached, it seems, by a sudden or abrupt transition from the Theological to the Atheistic creed.

There must be an intermediate stage,--the era, in short, of Metaphysics,--during which the process of Criticism will operate as a solvent on all previous beliefs, and by producing Skepticism, in the first instance, in regard to all other systems, will tend at length to concentrate the attention of mankind exclusively on the truths of Inductive Science.

The Metaphysical Philosophy is held to be the necessary, but temporary stage of transition from the theological to the positive method in science.

It is destined to supersede the one, and to introduce the other.

It is conceived to be equally at variance with both; and the era of its ascendency is described as a critical, destructive, revolutionary age, useful only as it delivers mankind from the shackles of former beliefs, and prepares them for the adoption of a new and purely natural system of thought.