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dividing each kingdom of nature Into classes , orders , genera , species , &c . Thjs fondness for arrangement was carried to a wild excess in Aristotle ' s attempt to class aJl the objects of human thought under the ten categories . The proper definition of a Definition is , a statement of those properties of a thing , or circumstances respecting it , which distinguish it from all others . It ought to be clear and plain , precise # nd intelligible , and bring the object forcibly before the view of the mind .
In the use of words we ought not to employ such as have either no meaning at all , or a loose and indeterminate one , or still less a false one : but should accustom ourselves to use words in a precise and determinate sense ; should be careful to ascertain the sense in
which others use them ; and when distinctions are laid down by writers of authority , respecting the use of words generally considered as synonymous , should aim to observe the
distinction , and extend its use . Thus Bishop Watson first fixed the distinction between genuine- *~ t \ i e work of the person to whom it is ascribed , and authentic—containing a true account of facts .
On the mental operations which accompany the statement of ^ Proposition , the author , as before , refers to Mental Philosophy , pp- 308 , &c , and then explains the subject , predicate and
copula , of which a simple proposition consists : what constitutes propositions identical , equivalent , affirmative , negative , universal , particular , in definite , conditional , simple and compound .
Evidence , he defines the ground on which we believe a proposition to be true . Certainty expresses the highest degree of conviction ; and also supposes , but is not always the result of , the highest degree of evidence . Evidence is derived from the senses , from
consciousness , from intuition , ( propositions derived from which are called axioms , ) from experience , reasoning and testimony . And when by any medium of proof we can establish the divine authority of any proposition , our conviction of its truth must be ia the highest possible degree .
The author then gives a short account of the syllogistic form of reasontag ; but though short , it is too long to be extracted . The advantages of this
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form in giving order and precision to an argument , directing the attention to that position on which the proof depends , and enabling to detect the sources of error * are well stated . Some excellent remarks on this subject are contained in Professor Jardine ' s
interesting work , pp . 132—137 , where it is related that Lord Mansfield was once , when pleading , perplexed by an argument which he was convinced was false , but could not detect the sophism , till on going home , and throwing the propositions of which it consisted into the syllogistic form , he instantly discovered where the fallacy lay .
The subject of Logic concludes with some observations on tfte analytic and synthetic methods of investigation ^ on induction , analogy , experience , &c « $ on the chief causes of erroneous conelusions in scientific researches j and on ' the qualities and circumstances
most necessary to the successful pursuit of truth . The books recommended are the Port Royal , Crousaz , Watts * Duncan ' s and Kirwan ' s Logic , Gambier on Moral Evidence , Locke ' s Essay , and Conduct of the Understanding , and Stewart ' s Elements * Vol . II .
In the twenty-third and following chapter , we rejoin Mr . Joyce in the study of Political Economy . In his historical introduction , he assigns the reason why the mercantile system was so long predominant in modern Europe j viz . that its improvement
began among the manufacturing and commercial classes , and was from them carried to the agricultural . The preference given to commerce by Colbert , led into the opposite extreme many French philosophers , who , under the name of Economistes , espoused the doctrine that agriculture is the only source of wealth .
Dr . Smith places the source of wealth in labour ; Lord Lauderdale in land , labour and capital . Mr . Joyce conceives that these differences are more nominal than real . They all , in fact , acknowledge that wealth is produced by land , labour , capital and commerce ) they chiefly differ as to the greater or less share they assign to each .
With regard to teveuue derived from land , it must * first , afford the expense of working it , then the rent of the landlord , the proportion of which must vary with the fertility of the * oil , the extent of the demand ,
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Retoiew . —Shepherd , Joyce and Carpenters Systematic Education . ? 05
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vox ., xiii . 4 x
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Nov. 2, 1818, page 705, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2482/page/41/
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