30 Sept. 1814

Logic

Chap VIII B

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Ch.2. Ontology

Entities classed

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In relation to the result in question, considered in the character of an effect, suppose, at pleasure, any one body to be the prime or principal mover or agent, and the motion, the action, or the operation of it, to be the prime or principal cause.

In no instance can any such cause be in operation, but it will happen to it to be, on all sides, encompassed and surrounded by circumstances.

Those circumstances will be composed /consist/ of the state of the contiguous and surrounding bodies, in respect of motion or rest, form, colour, quantity, and the like.

Among these some will appear to be exercising on the result a material operative influence: others not to be exercising such influence. Influential and influencing circumstances, uninfluential or uninfluencing circumstances; in one or other of these two classes of circumstances, taken together, will every circumstance by which it can happen to the principal agent or agents to be encompassed, be comprised /referred/.

Promotive or obstructive - under one or other of these denominations may the whole assemblage of influential circumstances be comprised.

Any circumstances that operate /act/ that are considered as acting /operating/ in the character of obstructive circumstances are termed in one word obstacles.

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