31 July 1814 + '.6

Logic

Ch. │ │ Aristotle's Præcognita

'.6.III. Functions. Uses.

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'.6.III Functions of Logic - Officia according to the Aristotelians.

Of these no unapt description is given: it is by these functions, as by so many means that Logic labours towards the attainment of that end.

According to this account these Officia - these functions seem to coincide with sufficient exactness, at least as far as they extend with the articles herein above brought to view by the name of Operations:- operations of the human mind or rather of the whole human frame mind and body together to all which, in some way or other logic is or is capable of being rendered subservient: all of them by some course or other directed to and leading to the universal end, to which by the guidance it is capable of affording to them, Logic itself may be and ought to be made to lead.

Thus much for the general nature of these functions - these means - these operations. But [the] list, the particular list, any particular list - any thing approaching, or so much as pretending itself to be, or to lead to the finding or formation of any thing approaching a compleat list, where shall it be found? - not assuredly in the custody or power of these philosophers. Of these functions, some there are - what or so much as how many, they can not tell? Three however, but no more than three, are what they know of: viz. Definition, Division and ratiocination.

Concerning these several functions of Logic or mental operations, how indistinct and inadequate were the notions of these logicians will be seen in another place.

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