23 Sept. 1814

Logic

Ch.1. Ontology

Entities real fictitious &c.

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3

Of the nature of that instrument, of the various forms under

which it has been seen to present itself among different tribes of men, of the indispensable parts + which may be seen to belong to it under every one of those forms, actual or possible, of the qualities desirable on the part of the collection of signs which, under all these several forms, it is composed; - under all these several heads, sketches will be endeavoured to be given in another place.

All this while, antecedently to the stage at which these topics will present themselves, use is however making, as it could not but be made, of this same instrument. At that future stage, it will be not only the instrument, but the subject also of inquiry: at present and until then, employing it in the character of an instrument, we must be content to take it in hand, and make use of it, in the state in which we find it.

In like manner, the several operations, which by the help of language, and under the direction of logic, are performed by human minds upon language and thereby upon minds: such as distinction, division, definition, and the several other modes of exposition, including those of methodization, must be performed at and from the very outset of a work on logic, antecedently to the stage at which the task of examining into their nature and origination will be entered upon and come to be performed.

+ Parts of Speech

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