16 Oct. 1814 +

Logic

Ch. │ │ Disputation

'.2. Particular use

4

1

'.2. Of useful instruction how much and what has been obtained and is obtainable from it.

Thus compleatly (it has been seen) has the disputative branch of this art that which was regarded as the main and crowning branch failed in the accomplishment of its promise.

But, besides that as hath already been observed, in and by the precedent and supposed subservient branches of the same system of instruction - many and very useful helps to instruction - helps to the human mind in its labours in the field of art and science and even in that of ordinary discourse and converse - were afforded, - so it is that neither has this part of the system notwithstanding the compleatness of its failure so far as concerns its principal object been altogether without its use.

107
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    For about two thousand years little more or less, the precepts of this art have been before us: and the result is that of the whole converse[?] of things knowable there is not a single one concerning which the smallest particle of knowledge has been found obtainable by the means of it.

    On the contrary, the nature of it is now, or may now be seen to be such, that by means of it of no one thing can any sort or degree of knowledge be at any time by any possibility be obtained.

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    Even before that definition - before even this sort of definition - is compleated, comes a parenthesis by which, of the narrowness of the extent attributed to the art by these its cultivators, intimation is already given. - Logic, says the Bishop, which according to the figure of Synecdoche is also called Dialectica: the figure of Synecdoche, it is that figure of the Rhetorician, by which the part is put instead of the whole.

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    The art called Logic is the same art say they as the art called Dialectics which being interpreted is the art of disputation, viz. in mood and figure. What is true of the art of logic is that this art of disputation forms a part. But is it thence also true that Logic and the art of disputation are one and the same object? names for one and the same thing? If so, then so is a tree and a branch of that same tree.

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    Real art taught by the disputative branch - the art of causing to be distinguish[ed] that which you agree to from that which you disagree to: distinguishes the one from the other.

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