25 Sept. 1814

Logic

Ch. │ │ Aristotle's Præcognita

'.5 End - Finis End

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2

'.4{II and III Uses and} End of Logic, according to the Aristotelians.

Knowledge of things - viz. either scientific knowledge alone, or this with the addition of unscientific - knowledge of things cognitio rerum, beyond this even, the pretensions of the Aristotelians - at any rate any distinct and explicit pretension, did not extend.

Far indeed however were their actual attainments - far even their actual researches, from coming up to these pretensions.

{The knowledge of} words - viz. the import of words, this was the utmost point - within this field was contained the sum total of their researches.

A certain sort of coincidence. To exhibit a demonstration, so they termed it - was with them the great work - the object and if attained the fruit of all their ingenuity and of all their labours.

This demonstration when it exhibited, what did it amount

to? an indication of a certain mode and degree of coincidence between the import of the two words? this and nothing more.

But this exploit, what did it require? It required that to all the several words employed the same import be annexed by the disputing parties. Suppose this identity to have place, then if the demonstration was correct, the opponent could not deny it without falling into a contradiction in terms. But this necessary condition suppose it in any part wanting: in this case no demonstration could take place: not so much as this faint semblance of, and spurious substitute for real knowledge.

Observation - experience, experiment, experience: these were the only processes by which real knowledge could be attained: and by the boasted art of logical demonstration, to what extent so ever employed, not a particle of knowledge was obtained through all or any one of these sources.[?]

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