date

27 Aug. 1815 Jug. True I. Prolegomena
27 Aug. 1815

Jug. True

I. Prolegomena

Ch. Imperfections

6

§. Marks of verity

To compleat the description of the individual matter of fact—of the existence of the body or bodies in question whether in a state of relative rest or in a state of relative motion, it is manifestly necessary that to the designation of a certain portion of space, as being occupied by the body or bodies in question must be added the designation of a certain portion of time, viz. as being the portion of time during or in which the portion of space in question was occupied by the body or bodies in question: Why? Because at any given point of time by no two bodies of the same dimensions can any portion of space be occupied, yet by any number of bodies may any given portion of space be occupied, so it be in different portions of time: in the same box in which at one time pistol A was contained, at another time [it] MS orig. ‘be’. contained pistol B and at so many different points of times, any number of other pistols.

13 or 6

For compleating the individualizing the designation of both place and time, each at the requisite degree of particularity as necessary: for at different times pistol A and pistol B for example may have been in one and the same case.
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  • Title: [27 Aug. 1815 Jug. True I. Prolego]
    Description: 27 Aug. 1815

    Jug. True

    I. Prolego

    Ch. Imperfections

    5

    Marks of Verity

    Suppose now the designation of the portion of time in question pushed to a correspondent and equal degree of particularity: to the designation of the year will be added that of the month the day of the month the hour of that day, the minute of that hour the instant of that minute.

    Now at any given instant of time, no two portions of matter can occupy any given portion of space exactly coincident with the largest of them, or with either of them if exactly equal to each other—of exactly the same dimension. If then by the body A (say a certain pistol made by a certain maker) at the instant specified the portion of space in question (say a box exactly fitting that same pistol) was occupied it is impossible that at that same instant of time any other body of equal dimensions (say a similar pistol of equal size and similar shape made by a different maker) could have been lodged in that same box. Supposing it therefore true and known to be true that at that time the pistol A was in the box, any story in the course of which it were asserted that at that same time the pistol B was in that same box will thus have been ascertained to have been so far false.

    11 or 4

    So as to know a Scale of particularity—1. Year. 2. Month. 3. Day of the Month. 4. Hour of the day. 5. Minute of the Hour. 6. Second of the Minute.

    12 or 5

    At the same atom of time in no portion of space can two portions of matter each of the same dimensions with it be lodged. Therefore suppose in the drawer a pistol one exactly fitting a pistol. If at the atom of time in question, in this box was pistol A (as distinguished for example by its makers name) any report stating that at that time in that case there was no pistol, or pistol B, must be false.
  • Title: [27 Aug. 1815 E  B — + I. Prolego]
    Description: 27 Aug. 1815

    E  B — +

    I. Prolego

    Ch. Imperfections

    4

    Marks of Verity

    The portions of space and time respectively designated by the designation made of the essential or essentially characteristic individualizing circumstances may be more or less (particular and) determinate. CJF Query use determinant and/or determinate in 18/19c??

    Thus as to what regards space or place. Suppose the matter of fact alledged a true one, and a certain room in a certain house, situated in a certain street, in a certain town, in the statement in question the time alone is mentioned here will be in a certain degree a limitation set to the description of the place: in comparison of the cases in which not the town but only is mentioned, the designation, the mode of designation here employed will be […?] […?] more particular and determinate. To the mention of the town add that of the street—to that of the street add that of the side of the street, to that of the side of the street the house designated by the number if there is one: in the house designate the floor on which the room is situated: in the room, whether the middle or any one and which of its sides.

    Suppose the matter of fact to be a state a quiescent state of things: the existence for example of a cabinet at one side of the room—say a box standing on the floor of the left-hand corner of that side of the room which is bounded by the street. Beginning with the one first mentioned, suppose at each successive step the space grows narrower and narrower the designation grows more and more determinate the designation to proceed through all the others in the order in which they are here brought to view the farther it proceeds on, the greater the degree of particularity.

    When the particularity has reached its utmost limit, the portion designated in the narrative or statement as occupied by the portion of matter in question say a pistol, all the matters of fact being supposed true coincide most exactly with the portion of space actually and really occupied by it.

    8 or 1

    Individualizing circumstances may be more or less particular and determinate.

    9 or 2

    Place suppose a House. Individualizing circumstances more and more particular are

    1. The town. 2. the street. 3. the side of the street. 4. the place in the length of the street. 5. the house. 6. the floor. 7. the room on the floor. 8. the part of the room i.e. whether exactly in the middle or [...?] to which side.

    10 or 3

    Matter of fact suppose (at the time in question) the existence of a certain quiescent state of things: say a cabinet on one side of the room, as above. Particularity or at its maximum when the existence of a pistol in that cabinet being the matter of fact in question, the exact portion of space really occupied by it is described as occupied by it.
  • Title: [21 Aug 1815 Jug True I. Prolegomena]
    Description: 21 Aug 1815

    Jug True

    I. Prolegomena

    Ch. Imperfection Evidenciary

    2

    §. Marks of verity

    1. Essentially concomitant circumstances viz. individualizing d o and designation of the individual portion of time a portion of space occupied by the event or state of things in question.

    Supposing the statement true, no matter of what number of those concomitant circumstances is made to accompany the designation made of the main or principal event or state of things: be the number ever so great the probability of its being regarded as false is not encreased in any degree from that magnitude. On the other hand suppose the statement given of the main or principal event or state of things false, in which case all the designation given of the supposed and alledged concomitant circumstances, circumstances by which that event or state of things being exhibited as true is stated to have been accompanied, the greater the number is of these circumstances their falsity stated as having had existence which is included in the designation given of the main or principal event or state of things, the greater is the probability that the statement which by the supposition is false will appear to be so and will be regarded as being so.

    3.

    If the statement of the principal event be true, by/the report of no number of these individualizing circumstances can any encreased chance of falsification be produced: if false, the greater the number of them, the greater the chance of falsification.