7 Aug. 1814 B +

Logic

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Ch. │ │ Methodization

'. │ │ Subjects of Denominants

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 Note the different distances at which they stand from reality.

Ex. gr. 1. Motions. 2. Qualities. 3. Virtues. 4. Vices.  Infidelity to call virtue an empty name.

Physical and psychical - under one or other of these two denominations may all fictitious entities be comprized.

Let us commence with physical.

1. A motion - motion motion[?]. In the physical world, in the order of approach to real existence; next to matter stands motion. But motion itself is spoken of as if it were matter; - and in truth because in no other way, such is the nature of things and such is the nature of language - in no other way can it - could it have been - spoken of.

A ball - the ball called the earth - is said to be in motion. By this word in, what is it that is signified? Answer - that motion is a receptacle, i.e. a hollow substance: and that in this hollow substance the ball called the earth is lodged.

A motion or the motion we say of a body. The body is one portion of matter: the motion is another which proceeds of that is from that substance.

Of names of motions - i.e. of names of species, or modifications of motion - vast not to say infinite is the number and variety.

Genus generalissimum is a term employed by the Logicians of old to indicate the name of any one of those aggregates which is not contained in any other aggregate that hath as yet received a name.

The idea of motion necessarily supposes that of a moving body: a body which is in the motion or in which the motion is: necessarily supposes, i.e. without the one idea, at any rate without the one image, the others cannot be entertained.

The idea of motion does not necessarily suppose that of another body, or the idea of the motion of another body, or the idea of another body from which, or from the motion of which, the motion in question proceeds or did proceed. The planets, that they are in motion, is matter of observation: whence the motion took its rise is matter of inference or rather of vague conjecture. On the earth's surface we see various bodies in the act of deriving motion from various primum mobiles. But the primum mobile, if any, from which the earth itself derived the motion in which it is at present, what can we so much as conjecture in relation to it?

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