date

19 Aug. 1814 Logic 2
19 Aug. 1814

Logic

2

Ch. Division

'. Synthesis and Analysis

correspond not

8

In this supposed case, for every species there is one individual, and no more; for every individual, one species, and no more.

But as, within the extent of one species, an indefinite number of individuals may be, and habitually are, contained, so from any one individual, much more from a greater number of individuals, an unlimited number of species may be deduced.

No new species, it is true, can be formed, except so far as in description it is capable of being rendered different from every species which had been described, before it had ever been described. But, in regard to any of the observable species of natural bodies, taken as they come out of the hands of nature, this is a condition, of the failure of which no reasonable probability seems to present itself. Take, for instance, the 40,000 different species of plants, that having, some years ago, been said to be the number of those species already known to be in existence. Of these, there exists not any one which has not some property, or aggregate of properties, which is not to be found in any of the others, and which constitute that difference, or say differential character, whereby it stands distinguished from every other. Of these differences, the ideas were respectively formed in the mind by the process of abstraction. They were formed from the observations made of some individual plant or plants, which, at the time of observation, were respectively considered as belonging to those same species. On this occasion, in the formation of any such species, what was done was, not to take for the character, or essence of the species, every mark whereby the individual in question, the individual, or individuals, then and there observed, was seen to differ from all individuals that had ever been observed before, but only some one or other small number of these marks. For, in all the different species of plants that have thus been formed, take any one whatsoever: answerable to the description, how ample and particular soever of that one species, will be found individuals in a multitude absolutely inexhaustible, no two of them so perfectly similar but that, upon a simultaneous comparison, differences, perceptible and describable differences, between them might be found.

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  • Title: [19 Aug. 1814 Logic Ch. Division]
    Description: 19 Aug. 1814

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    19 Jan 1816. Examined these 2 pages with a view to Chrestom v. Nomenclature. Supposed not necessary to be employed.

    Ch. ' Of Logical Division [...?]

    In the case of a physical aggregate of the physical kind, it has /may have/ been seen, the greatest number of integral parts into which it is capable of being divided is always a determinate number: in a bushel of apples containing 400 apples, 400 is that number; in a bushel of wheat containing 400,000 grains of wheat, 400,000 is that number in a garden-full of plants 40,000 in number each of those of a different species, 40,000 is that number.

    These 40,000 plants each of them of a species distinguishable from every other species suppose it required so to divide into subordinate and lesser aggregates the universal or all comprehensive aggregate designated by the /of which by the supposition the word plant is the/ name of plant - to divide it in such sort that by a series of successive divisions by /from/ the descriptions given of the products of these several divisions, {it} should be made to appear in what way /points/ each agreed /coincided/ with and in what points it disagreed with the description given of every other ? + In this case, /The following is/ the only mode of proceeding by which the object can be accomplished is the following. Divide the whole aggregate into two equal parts or say divisions: divide each of these divisions into others which call divisions of the 2d order, calling the two first mentioned divisions being second divisions of the 1st order: each of these divisions dividing always by two divide into divisions of the 3rd order: the total number of divisions eight; and go on dividing always by two until the whole number of the component aggregates thus formed comes to be 40,000,+ the assumed number of different species of plants. This mode of division is termed from the Greek dichotomous; from the Latin, bifurcate, two-forked.

    +that instead some power of 2.

    200
  • Title: [27 July 1814 Logic 2]
    Description: 27 July 1814

    Logic

    2

    Ch.3.III. Operations

    '.6.V. Subjects many

    Designation

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    13

    2

    2. Denomination - or say common, collective, or generic denomination. In so far as the sort of operation thus described and denominated has place, the same sign is made to designate and upon occasion render present to the mind, two or any greater number of individual objects: two or any greater number of individual objects, by which so ever of the two faculties, the memory or the imagination rendered present to it.

    Thus while the human species contained but one individual, viz. Adam, individual designation was the only operation of this class which an intelligent and conversing being such as an Angel or a Devil, having occasion to designate him could have occasion to employ in the designation of him. But no sooner had Eve, when detached from his side, received a separate existence than the occasion for denomination, i.e. collective designation or denomination, came into existence: a name such as should be capable of designating the species which by the addition of this second individual was now formed. One species was then already in actual existence: at the same time, two sort[?] of subordinate species, or rather two species at once, viz. the two species formed together by the difference in respect of sex, received already a sort of potential existence. At the birth of Cain, the species constituted [by] the male sex received an actual existence: Adam and Cain, the individuals: on the birth of Cain's eldest sister, the species corresponding to the female sex, received the like existence: Eve and her unnamed daughter whoever she were, the individuals.

     Continue this subject under the head of Language, to which make reference.
  • Title: [19 Aug. 1814 Logic 4]
    Description: 19 Aug. 1814

    Logic

    4

    Ch. Division

    '. Synthesis and Analysis

    correspond not

    9

    Hence it is that the denomination given to the operation by which the fictitious aggregates created by the joint powers of observation and imagination, or by the imagination alone, is, abstraction. Out of an indefinite number of peculiar marks, by which the several really existing individuals lying open to observation are distinguishable, the mind fixes upon some one or other comparatively small number, and leaving the others unnoticed, and in this way separating them from these others, makes its own use of them, applies to the purpose in question the property, or properties, thus abstracted; establishing them in the character of so many marks, whereby the thus new-formed species, and as many individuals as will ever come to be included under it, i.e. be found to exhibit marks of the same description, are made to stand distinguished, as supposed, from all other species and individuals that are, ever have been, or ever will be, in existence.

    213