Thought-Culture

r separate, various qualities, attributes and properties by the analytical process we call Abstraction. Abstraction, we have seen, t

we include all cows-we know them to be cows because of their possession of certain general class qualities which we include in our concept of cow. The particular cows may vary greatly in size, color and general appearance, but they possess the common general qualities which we group together in our general concept of cow. Likewise by reason of certain common and general qualities we include in our concept of "Man," all men, black, white, brown, red or yellow, of all races and degrees of physical and mental d

d in a word, or words, called "A Term." A Concept is more than a mere word-it is a gen

ints wherein they agree or disagree-wherein they are alike or unlike. Eliminating by abstraction the points in which they differ and are unlike; and, again by abstraction, retaining in consideration the points in which they resemble and are alike; we are able to group, arrange or classify these "alike things" into a class-idea large enough to embrace them all. This class-idea is what is known as

e latter is capable of sub-division into varieties and sub-varieties, until at last a particular flower is reached. Jevons says: "We classify things together whenever we observe that they are like each other in any respect and, therefore, think of them together.... In classifying a collection of objects, we do not merely put together into groups those which resemble each other, but we also divide each class into smaller ones in which the resembl

est Genus, which cannot be the Species of a higher class, and which is called the Summum Genus. The Summum Genus is expressed by terms such as the following: "Being;" "Existence;" "The Absolute;" "Something;" "Thing;" "The Ultimate Reality," or some similar term denoting the state of being

ese difficulties are avoided in the perfect logical method of dividing each Genus into two Species, and not more than two, so that one species possesses a particular quality, and the other does not. Thus if I divi

ling

|

ne Earth

de of the bark of gum-trees; the Esquimaux live in snow houses; tents may be considered as canvas houses, and it is easy to conceive of houses made of te

ling

Not-

Not-

n Not

Not

of brick, nor stone, nor wood, nor iron, it yet comes under the species at the right hand, which is not-iron, not-wooden, not-s

n which individuals are grouped into Species, and Species into the Genus, by reason of resemblances. Moreover, in building up general classes, which is known as Generalization, we must first an

Generalization is an ascending process. The broader concept is regarded as higher than the narrower concept; a concept is considered as higher than percept; a general idea stands above a particular idea. We thus go up from particulars to generals; from percepts to concepts; from lower concepts to higher concepts. Beginning down with particular objects, we rise from them to the general idea of

concept or general idea cannot be imaged or mentally pictured. We may picture a percept of any particular thing, but we cannot picture a general idea or concept because the latter does not partake of the particular qualities of any of its class, but embraces all the general qualities of the class. Try to picture the general idea, or concept, of Man. You will find that any attempt to do so will result in the production of merely a man-some particular man. If you give the picture dark hair, it

particular thing. The Concept is merely a general idea, or general notion, of the common attributes of a class of objects or things. A P

n Abstract Concept is a concept embodying merely some one quality generally diffused, as for instance, the quality of fierceness in the general class of lions. Rose is a concrete concept; red, or re

dividuals. Thus, such a concept is composed of the ideas of the particular individuals and of their common qualities, in combin

ect-it is its property of including numbers of individual objects within its content. The intension of a concept depends up

qualities, attributes, and properties common to all horses-class qualities possessed by all horses in co

be the number of individuals in the class. As the logicians express it, "the greater the extension, the less the intension; the greater the intension, the less the extension." Thus, animal is narrow in intension, but very broad in extension;

thods and ideas which may be used to advantage in developing this faculty in the direction of clear and capable work. This faculty is developed by all of the general processes of thought, for it forms an important par

particular individuals included therein; and the properties of the class or generalization. Analysis depends upon division and separation. Development in the process of Logical Analysis tends toward clearness, distinctness, and exactness in thought and expression. Logical Analysis has two aspects or phases, as follows: (1) Division, or the separation

hich should be observed, the followin

sion would be according to the principle of race, and the second according to the principle of religion. Observing the rule of the "uniform principle" we may divide men into races, and sub-races, and so on, without regard to religi

s merely the sum of its several species. A textbook illustration of a violation of this rule is given in the case of the concept actions, when divided into good-actions

for instance, when we divide animals into horses, trout and swallows, omitting the intermediate division into mam

xclusive-should exclude one another. Thus to divide mankind into male, men and women, would be illogical, because

d analysis. Any class of objects-any general concept-may be used for practice. A trial will show you the great powers of unf

es for Partition which sho

to the various sub-divisions composing the class; nor to the accidental or individual qualities belonging to the separate individuals in any sub-class. The qualities should be essential and not accidental-general, not particular. A famous violation of this rule was had in the case of the ancient Platonic definition of "Man" as: "A two-legged animal without

tion of logical division. That is, the various qualities, properties and attributes should be considere

for the cultivation of clear thought and conception than Definition. In order to define, one must exercise his power of analysis to a considerable extent. Brooks says: "Exercises in logical definition are valuable in unfolding our conception. Logical definition, including both the genus and the specific di

on given in some standard dictionary, he will see a new light regarding logical definition. Practice in definition, conducted along these lines, will cultivat

s of Logical Definition, which should be

ate the essential attribut

ord defined. Otherwise the definition is called

st be exactly equivalen

be expressed in obscure, figu

not be negative when i

general. Beginning with individual things and comparing them with each other according to observed points of resemblance, we proceed to group them into species or narrow classes. These classe

is an absolutely essential factor of thought, and classification demands comparison. The man who has not properly classified the myriad individual objects with which he has to deal, must advance like a cripple. He, only, can travel with seven-league boots, who has thought out the relations existing between these stray individuals and put them into their proper classes. In a minute a business man

things mentally, into small classes, and these into larger, one will soon be able to form a logical connection between particular ideas and general ideas; particular objects and general classes. The practice of

quadrupeds than they are like fish. They cannot live entirely under water and breathe the air contained in the water like fish, but they have to come up to the surface at intervals to take breath. Similarly, we must not class bats with birds because they fly about, although they have what would be called wings; these wings are not like those of birds and in truth bats are much more like rats and mice than they are like birds. Bota

d species are built up by synthesis into a genus because of resemblances. The same is true regarding individual and speci

and still higher classes by consulting the dictionary; likewise, starting with a large class, he may work down to the several species composing it. An encyclopedia, of cours