JB_102_241.xml

Title: [1831 Sept 21 Language Introduction]

Description: 1831 Sept 21

Language

Introduction or Preface or Beginning

Ch.1.- Language in general

'2 Ends in view

On this occasion as on every other, of which I [...?] the end in view is the maximisation of happiness, corresponding principle, the greatest happiness principle - corresponding rule, do what depends upon you, towards giving encrease to the aggregate composed of happiness and more particularly human happiness.

On the present occasion, by the end in view was suggested the idea of the distinction observable in the meaning of the word language, according to the occasion on which it was employed and brought to view.

Happiness the end in view. Logic by some called Noology by other[?] Metaphysics, the instrument employed on the occasion of the labour employed in the endeavour to contribute to that end.

 Go on copying the last column on the page of Rudiments.

It has occurred to me that among the operations performable by the unassisted labours of individuals acting singly, there are several by which, if performed in the field of language, addition might be made to the aggregate quantity of human happiness: and in particular it seemed to me that I myself was of the number of the individuals by whom service in this shape might perhaps be rendered: and that, if, of the suggestions which had presented themselves in the view, publication was made in my life-time, I might possibly receive for my reward the view of some advance already made to the acquisition of so desirable a result.

1831 Sept. 29

Language

Introduction Preface or Beginning

Ch. 1 Language in general

'2 Ends in view

In this view, travelling in idea over the whole field of language, I have looked into every part of it, for the purpose of seeing whether I could not in some way, and if yes in what way, make addition to the quantity of happiness actually derived from the application of this instrument: or in other words, to the use made of it.

Any use made of this instrument will have for its efficient cause addition made to one or other of the {desirable} properties which in a degree proportioned to the use capable of being made of it, will be seen to belong to it: in so much as that if any addition be given to the quantity of the use at present made of it, it will be causing it to possess one or more of these same properties in a greater degree than at present.

{But, before it can be clearly understood what these properties are, it will be necessary to bring to view three different occupations in which the word language is in use to be employed.}

[102-243r]

1831 Aug. 7

Logic and Languag.

1 o

Ch. Language in general

'2 Ends in view

'2. Ends in view in regard to language.

Of language, as of every thing else.- Of what is said or written on this subject, as of what is said or written on any, the only proper use is the maximization of the happiness of every sensitive being.

But by whatever addition is made to the happiness of any one such being, encrease is is given to the aggregate composed of the happiness of all, unless substraction to equal or greater amount is made from the happiness of some other: and without special and sufficient reason assigned, no such substraction, can reasonably be assumed to have place.

As between the human animal on the one part, and other animals taken together on the other part, a human animal has not for forming a judgment of the effect produced by any cause on the happiness of an animal of any other species, means so probative, as for forming a judgment of the effect produced by that same cause in one animal of his own species.

By whatsoever addition is by any cause made to the happiness of the individual in question on any one occasion during any portion of present time, encrease is given to the aggregate compound of the happiness of that same individual, unless by that same cause, substraction to an equal or greater amount will be made from the happiness of that same individual at some point of future time; and without special and sufficient reason assigned, [...?] no such substraction can reasonably be assumed to have place.

[102-244r]

1831 Aug. 7

Logic and Language

1 o

Ch.1 Language in general

'2 Ends in view

Of the present work the {object or say} end in view is to make what addition can on this occasion be made, to the aggregate or say sum of human happiness by shewing as far as may be, by what means language taken in the aggregate may most effectually be adapted to this purpose.

1826 Oct. 23

Language

Ch.│ │ Properties desirable

The properties desirable in language in general are the properties desirable on the part of the aggregate of the several portions of the matter of language employed or employable in the scant[?] occasions to useful purpose by the aggregate of the several individuals of which the human species is composed in the pursuit of their respective /the aggregate/ objects of desire, or say instruments and means of happiness - that is to say of pleasure in all its shapes and exemption for pain in all its shapes.

Reference had to whatever purpose and the occasion, the properties desirable will be found referable to these several heads; to wit

1. Clearness.

2. Correctness.

3. Comprehensiveness: in respect of the extent of their words and combinations of words employed.

4 Conciseness.

5. Copiousness: in respect of the number of words and combination of words at common[?] and employed accordingly.

Considered in respect of its subservicency to its purposes of discourse. A mass of language in use in any community may be considered with reference to the demands either of those who are already in the habit of making use of it, or of those who not being in possession of that habit, are desirous of acquiring it.

Considered with reference to the demands of this class of persons - of persons thus circumstanced, another property which it presents as desirable in it is termed [...?] Discibility[?] - facility of being learnt.

This property as will be seen is not in the direct but in the inverse rate of copiousness: in respect of words of certain classes.

[Attached sheet]

Conjugates - Prefixes.

1. Non-

2. Quasi-

3. Vice-

4. Ex- functioning Female[?]

5. Sub-

6. Super-

7. Anti

8. Part-and-parcel

9. Son-in-law, &c.

JB_102_247.xml

Title: [1831 Nov. 5 Language § ││ Properties]

Description: 1831 Nov. 5

Language

§ ││ Properties desirable

On this, as on other occasions, by desirable properties, understand properties subservient to the end in view: as to which see §2. Ends in view.

Correspondent and opposite to the desirable properties are the undesirable: by its undesirable properties of which this instrument is susceptible understand any such properties by which its subserviency to the end in view is diminished.

Those properties are not capable of being in every instance designated by the words by which the several correspondent and[?] properties are designated, with no other addition than that a portion of a word designative of the negation[?] or opposite of the word to which it is expressed: for example, non-use - use, &c.[?]

Not merely its quality in the character of an instrument of communication in regard to ideas or language of use to man: another use, which it is of, is that of an instrument of fixation as applied to ideas: as being capable of having any of its constituent elements employed by any and every man in retaining any idea which has happened to arise in or be called up in his mind, in such sort as to cause it to lie[?] as it were in readiness to be taken at any time into contemplation, and taken for the subject of consideration. In this sense, the mind being likened to a sea, language[?] may be likened to an anchor, by which ideas may be fastened in it, each of them in a determinate shape, and at any time be put into employment; and thus prevented from being, like a portion of gas, indeterminate in shape, and of a nature to fly off and as it were evaporate sooner or later after the first instance in which they have made their appearance in the mind.

JB_102_246.xml

Title: [1826 Oct. 29 Seen 7 Aug. 1831 Logic]

Description: 1826 Oct. 29 Seen 7 Aug. 1831

Logic Language

Practical

Ch. 1 Language in general

' │ │ Properties desirable

'. │ │ Properties desirable in language.

Of this instrument of human converse, the special-end in view is the giving to it on each occasion all such properties by which on that same occasion it will be rendered in the highest degree conducive to the universal end in view, the maximum of happiness by means of the particular use and application on that same occasion made of it by the individual by whom it is employed.

 [...?] this here or below?

But of this same instrument, on no occasion by any individual, can any use be made any otherwise than by adoption made of the appropriate part of the aggregate body of signs, audible or visible of which the language in the use[?] in conversing or as[?] otherwise employing is composed. This language will be a language which is or have been in use in some one or more of the nations into which the population of our globe is divided.

Whatever be the occasion of the language employed by him, the words will be open to his choice: and upon that choice will depend the aptitude of the so-employed words, with reference to the purpose for which they are employed: the aptitude of these same words, which is as much as to say the degree in which the aggregate of them stands invested with these properties which in words so employed are, as above, desirable.

As to the nascent[?] language in general it will not be open to his choice: it will to that and this alone[?] the use of which ever since birth he has been accustomed. But on some occasion in the instance of some persons it will be open to choice: and proportioned to the degree in which it does is the utility of any enquiry as to the degree in which among all the languages in use this or that language contains within itself the means of [...?] those who use it to give to their[?] discourse such of the properties desirable in language as are desirable on the individual occasion on which that discourse is employed.