16 Aug. 1814 '.2

Logic

Ch. Clearness Exposition

'.2. Subject of Exposition

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'.2. Subject of Exposition - subjects of /to/ which it is susceptible /applicable/.

Be the exposition itself what it may, a subject it can not but have - a subject to which it is applicable.

This subject - what may it be ? - what are the modifications /variations/ /diversifications/ of which it is susceptible ? - a question to which in the first place an answer must be provided. Why ? because on the nature of the subject will depend the nature of the sort /mode/ of exposition of which it is susceptible.

In relation to the subject of this instrument of clearness two propositions /axioms/ /aphorisms/ /observations/ may be laid down /require to be brought to view/ in the first place.

1. The subject of exposition viz. the immediate and only immediate subject is in every case a word.

2. That word is in every case a name: i.e. a word considered in the character of a name.

Exposition supposes thought. A word is a sign of thought: How imperfectly so ever - in a manner how deficient so ever in respect of clearness - thought, it is true, may be expressed by signs

other than words - by inarticulate sounds, by gestures, by deportment. But, as often as any thing /object/ has been considered in the character of a subject of or for exposition, that object has been a word. (a) The immediate subject of the exposition has been a word - whatsoever else may have been brought to view, the signification of a word - of the word in question has been brought to view: the word is not only a subject, but the only physically sensible subject, upon and in relation to which and upon which the operation, called exposition has been performed.

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