25 Sept 1814

Logic

Ch. │ │ Aristotle's Præcognita

'.5.II End. Finis. End

9

3

Of this assuming science thus worthless was the end.

In truth it was not simply worthless - it was positively pernicious. It was pernicious by drawing aside and keeping mankind for so many ages out of the only really instructive track of study as abovementioned and in this uninstructive one.

But out of an ill-directed pursuit it will sometimes happen that useful results may collaterally - and as it were by a side wind be, brought to light.

Though of all the propositions thus demonstrated or demonstrable the value was is and ever will be equal to 0 - though logical demonstration, the fruit of all this labour, was and is mere delusion, yet of the operations which had no other object than the formation and maturation of this fruit, many there are which have been and will ever continue to be found, applicable to and continually applied to real and most important uses.

The demonstration of the Aristotelian may in this respect be compared to the philosophers stone of the Heraclitic philosophers. The stone was a non-entity: but in digging for this non-entity, real entities pregnant with real and important uses were discovered in no inconsiderable numbers.

* Substances applicable to the purposes of medicine dying,

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