date

26 Aug. 1814 '.2 + Logic Ch
26 Aug. 1814 '.2 +

Logic

Ch. │ │ Invention

'.2 Helps to all

4

1

'.2. Helps applicable to arts in general without exception or distinction.

In this view, a few rules present themselves as capable of being found, to some minds in the way of original instruction, to any minds in the way of memento or reminiscence, not altogether without their use. In some sort by affording positive helps: in others by the indication of obstacles: of certain obstacles, {the force of which will be to be encountered} which, in any track of the field of invention, the labourer will find standing in his way, and opposing his progress: and obstacles of the existence and force of which it concerns him to be well apprised, lest, when the time comes they find him unprepared.

Memento 1. Whatever be the art, which or in which, you think to invent, keep steadily in view the particular end at which it aims: the effect the production of which it has for its object. Keep your eyes fixt upon the end. In two latin words, Respice finem. Finem suspicito.

Memento 2. Beware of intellectual servility. In other words, take Reason not Custom for your Guide: the Reason of the thing including the nature of the effect meant to be produced, not confining yourself to the pursuing of the practice, to the performance of those operations and those only by which alone the effect is as yet wont to be produced. Dux sit non Mos sed Ratio. Non mos sed Ratio dux est.

Memento 3. Be on your guard against the confederated adversaries of all good, and thereby of all new good: viz. 1. Indigenous Intellectual Weakness. 2. Sinister Interest. 3. Interest-begotten prejudice. 4. Adoptive prejudice. +

Memento 4. In relation to every part of your subject, and every object connected with it, render your ideas as clear as possible. Lux undique fiat.

Memento 5. For means and instruments look out for analogies. Analogias

undique

indagato.

Memento 6. In your look-out for analogies, for surveying that quarter of the field of thought and action to which the art in question belongs, employ the logical ladders, the ladders made of nest of aggregates placed in logical subalternation. Analogias indagare. In Analogiarum indagatione scalis logicis utere.

Memento 7. Inquire & learn whatsoever, for the production of the effect in question has been already in use or in prospect. Iam acta et tentata discite.

+  Where they can not by force these events oppose, by discouragement, by discouraging opinion and advice.

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  • Title: [27 Aug. 1814 Logic Ch. │ │]
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    Of the utility derivable from the search after analogies, whether on the same scale or on different scales - and thence whether on different levels or on the same level, three Latin words, viz. Quodlibet cum quolibet, may form another memento.

    It is in the instance of the physical department of the field of thought and action, and more particularly to the chemical district of that department, that the applicability of this memento is most conspicuous. Upon every subject try, or at least think of trying every operation: to every subject in the character of a menstruum, apply every subject in the character of a solvent:- and so on.

    It is to the extent into which application has been made of this memento that chemical science is indebted for the prodigious strides which within the compass of the present generation has[?] been made in it.

    353
  • Title: [27 Aug. 1814 Logic Ch. │ │]
    Description: 27 Aug. 1814

    Logic

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    '.2 Helps to all

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    Memento 8. In such your survey of existing inventions, look out in preference for the latest of all, not looking backwards but for some special reason - Postrema exquirito.

    Memento 9. Instruction - Quodlibet cum quolibet. To every thing forget not to apply any thing. Suppose an indefinite multitude of objects, which in consideration of certain properties or qualities, in respect of which they are found or supposed to agree, and certain others, in respect of which they have been found or supposed to disagree - having been all of them placed in one or other of two classes, some article belonging to the one class has with success, i.e. with some new effect which either has been found to be or affords a prospect of being found to be advantageous, been applied - no matter in what manner nor to what purpose in particular, to some article belonging to the other class: in like manner, frame a general resolution not to be departed from in any instance but for some particular cause to apply to each article belonging to the one class every article belonging to the other.

    The sort of special cause here in question will be one of these two: viz. 1. Apparently preponderant probability of producing any new result at all. 2. Apparently preponderant probability that the new result if any will instead of proving preponderantly advantageous prove preponderantly disadvantageous.

    N.B. Among physical arts and sciences, the branch of art and science to which this rule or memento is in a peculiar degree applicable, is the Chemical including in so far as they belong to it the several subordinate and practical and subordinate branches of art and science which come under its department: ex. gr. cookery, pharmacy, agriculture, architecture in so far as concerns materials.

    346
  • Title: [27 Aug. 1814 '.5 Logic Ch.]
    Description: 27 Aug. 1814 '.5

    Logic

    Ch. │ │ Invention

    '.5 Helps to all

    10

    1

    Tables useful for this purpose:-

    1. Tables of contents of Books written on it.  Give Synoptic Table to Blackstone's Analysis with J.B.'s Emendations.

    2. Tables of the names of subjects belonging to it.

    3. Table of Rudiments of the of the inventions and notices on the subject.-

    4. Table vegetable[?] Alkali from observation of properties common to Salt[?] of Parlour & d o. of Wormwood.

    Fixt Alkali from d o. of Potash & Soda.

    Alkali from d o of Potash Soda & Ammonia.

    Memento 5 and 6. Search after analogies - Use on this occasion to be made of all existing and acceptable scales of logical subalternation.

    Follows the mode and use of applying these subalternation scales, viz.

    1. Application of it in the descending line.

    1. With exception of such words as are names of individual objects, take any one of the material words that present themselves as belonging to the subject. Not being the name of an individual alone, this word will be the name of a sort of objects - the name (say) of an aggregate. If the aggregate denomination be the name of a genus, think of the several species which, by their respective names, present themselves as being contained under it. Whatsoever is predicated of the genus, will, in so far as it is truly predicated, be with equal truth predicable of all these several species.

    II. Application of it in the ascending line.

    In like manner look out for the name of the next superior genus, with reference to which the genus in question is but a species and try or[?] conjecture whether that which beyond doubt has been found predicable with truth of the whole of this species be or promise to be with like truth predicable of the whole or any other part of that genus - the aggregate designated by the name of that genus.

     For Rudiments of examples, see N o. 4 at the top of this page: and see the paper in which several of J.B.'s ideas on legislation are traced up to their source.

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