30 Sept. 1814

Logic

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Ch.2. Ontology

Entities classed

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In the use frequently made of the word cause, may be seen an ambiguity, which, in respect of its incompatibility with any correct and clear view of the relation between cause and effect, there may be a practical use in endeavouring to remove from the field of thought and language.

On the one hand - a motion an action an operation - on the other hand an agent an operator - an author: to the designation of both these in themselves perfectly distinct objects the words are wont to be indiscriminately applied.

Take for example the questions that used to be agitated in the logical schools. Is the moon says one of them the cause or a cause of the flux and reflux of the sea. Here the moon, here the word cause is employed to designate a corporeal being considered in the character of an agent.

The cause (says a position of which frequent sense was made in the same theatres of disputation) the cause is always proportioned to its effect. But between the moon himself /itself/ and the tide, i.e. the flux and reflux of the sea, there can not be any proportion: they are disparate entities: the one the moon a real entity; the other the flux and reflux i.e. the motions of the sea are but fictitious entities. Between the moon itself, and the water moved by it, i.e. between the quantity of both, proportion may have place; between the motion, and thence the action of the moon, and the motion of the waters, a proportion may have place. But, between the moon, a body, and the flux and reflux of the sea, no proportion can have place, neither can either be larger or smaller than the other.

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