A Logic Of Facts

ust be in the numb

clusions which can

. M

ience are methodical facts. The first step to the perfection and enlargement of a science is the resolution of its propositions into axioms, and into propositions which are to be proved. Dr. Reid observes-'This has been done in mathematics from the beginning, and has tended greatly to the emolument of tha

applied to science, all its wisdom without its machiavelialism. The young grammarian reduces the mass of words

ment. It begins by converting thousands, and more than thousands, into one; and, reducing in the same manner the numbers tiros formed, it arrives at last at the few

ral Philosop

could never be either extensive ear definite-for the multiplicity of objects which then must crowd in upon the mind only tends to confound and perplex it, while the memory, overburdened with particulars, is not able to retain a hundredth part of the materials which are collected. To prevent this, the power el generalisation comes to our aid, by whic

few general heads--1. Substance. 2. Quality. 3. Quantity. 4. Relation. Action. 6. Passion. 7. Place. 8. Time. 9. Posture. 10. Habit. Aristotle's philosophy was objective, Kant's subjective. Kan

f framing classes is unlimited as long as there is any (e

tions between the various brings. This is the most elementary problem, in so-far as it precedes all the others; but it is in reality, in most cases, complicated and full of difficulties. Its accurate solution requires-first, Observation,

he laws of all people. By classing governments he had compared them, by comparing them he passed judgment on them; and this judgme

of Speculative Ph

p. 165,

nton: Reasoner

Hist. Girondists,

e, and usable state, they are-known only to the educated and scientific man. What training is to the soldier, science is to the thinker. It enables him to control all his resources and employ his natural powers to the best advantage. It is this which constitutes the superiority of the educated over the ignorant. Astronomy, navigation, architecture, geometry, political economy, morals, all rest, or shoul

hemselves; and I should add to the number of fools, if, after this acknowledgment, I should believe them: but if they say it is, I desire them to produce their argument; for since 'tis framed by a human understanding, the force of it may also be comprehended and judged of by a human understanding: and tis to no purpose to say that the

Uses of Euclid, c

cl

on Things abo

udge, discourse, nor act. These principles may not always make their appearance in formal propositions, but still they guide all our thoughts in the same manner as w

tioned. Had he not the knowledge of this axiom beforehand, did he think it possible that his knife could be no where or in no place he would never take pains to look for it. We may observe many such axioms as

, asserted against

Understanding is the

.. Lond

ages and laws of nations, the events of history, the opinions of philosophers, the sentiments of orators and poets, as well as the observations of common life, are in truth, the materials out of which

in human nature; then apply them to the regulation of the conduct of individuals, and lastly employ them for t

rough what clouds of politics had the historian of Rome penetrated when he announced that the principle

naturally associate. Touch but a remote chord of any question, and it will vibrate to the central principle to which it has once been well attached. Every relative impression own

d Uses of Euc

of the associations of childhood, is

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ut that rent th

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isions and ro