1819 Aug. 3

Fallacies [...?]

Classification

1

Ch. or §. | | Division or Classification of Fallacies

Taken /Considered/ as a whole, the aggregate mass of the matter of which fallacies are comprized may be divied in various ways by principles of division derived from various sources.

Amongst the most instructive and commodious of these sources will be found it is believed the following: namely

I. The object or end in view by the pursuit of which the person by whom the fallacy is employed is induced to make use of it. In the case of a political fallacy this object will always be the preservation /retention/ or acquisition of a portion more or less considerable of political power or influence

II. The position - meaning the political position of the person by whom it is employed. Of this position or situation there are but two modifications, viz that of the person who with reference to the mass of power in question is in possession, and that of the person who with reference to it is not in possession. Corresponsing to their distinction is the division of Fallacies into Fallacies of the Ins; and Fallacies of the Outs: a distinction to which it will presently be necessary to make recurrence

III. The quarter to the which the fallacy in question applies itself in the minds on which it is designed to operate. This quarter will either be the understanding, or the affections

IV. The general nature /quality/ or tendency of the measure to the promotion or opposition /defence or attack/ of which the fallacy is directed, meaning by its quality its being either of a good or a bad tendency upon the whole.