24 July 1814 + '.2

Logic

Ch.1 Logic, what

'.2 Aristotle's imperfections

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'.2 Imperfections of the Aristotelian system on the subject of logic.

Truth is never capable of being so clearly or strongly impressed when considered by itself as it is capable of being when illustrated by a view of any opposite error or errors, by which have been wont to occupy the place of it.

The system of Aristotle is the system by and according to which whatsoever has been taught under the name of logic has now for upwards of two thousand years been taught: and though by far the greater part of that time it has been considered as being in a state of absolute perfection, little if at all capable of receiving improvement, and not in any degree susceptible of amendment: of amendment in any of its three modes, viz. omission, addition, and substitution.

By whomsoever the present sketch is looked into and considered, if Aristotle's system of logic, in so far as it is delivered in the first Chapter of Bishop Saunderson's Compendium of that art and science, be looked into at the same time and compared with it, very different to a very considerable degree will the two schemes be seen to be, at the very first glance.

In the following pages the principal differences will be {successively} held up to view.

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