P H IL O S O P H Y ;

T HE S C IE NC E O F T R U T H .

A T RE AT ISE

O N, F IR S T P R IN C IP L E S ,

M E NT A L , P HY S ICAL , A ND V E RBA L ‘
.

By
“
J A M E S R A IG , M A . .
,
’
O F L INC OL N s INN.

E mo '

mp mm g A k q ee c a g .

A R ST O TL E
I .

1
L ondon 9 of

SA U ND E R S, O T L E Y , A ND C O , .

6 6 , BR OOK ST R E E T , HA NO V E R SQ U A R E , W .

18 6 1.
 N O T ICE .

If pe on houl d cond ce nd to di cu publicly the

any rs s s es s ss

t h e o y of l anguage d v l op e d in t hi vol ume ,i n a manne

r e e s r

calling fo e planation or e ply,t he y will g e atly oblig

r x r r e

t h e au th o , in t h e se day of lite a y de l ug e ,by di ctin g

r s r r re

h i att ntion to t h e i p u blicat ion ,an ony mou ly o oth e r

s e r s s r

W18 6 .
 A P REFACE T O BE RE AD .

WHAT is S ci en ec? wh at is P hi l o s oph y ? wh at

is Tr uth ? In a w ork of gr e at re p utat io n and

abili ty , we are t old t h at t he di s cove ry of

un iv e rs al t rut hs is t he p rop e r e nd of s ci e nc e .

But un iv e rs al t ruth s c an o nly be e xp re s s e d

by m e ans of unive rs al na me s or g e ne ral t e r m s .

T he sa me aut ho r, how e v e r,e arly in the sa me

w ork , t e ll s us t h at t h e s e g e ne a r l t e rm s , as

na m e s , or m e re d e no t ativ e s , h av e , s t ric tly

p ki ng ,no s igni fic ation
S ea .
” 2
Wh e nc e it c l e arly

follows , t h at , accordi ng to s om e of t hi s
hilo s oph e r s w or ds ,the pro p e r e nd of s ci e nc e
’

1
Mill s
’ “
Lo gic, ii ,p
”
. . 119.
2
Ibid ,i ,p 36
. . . .
 i P RE FA CE .

is the di s cov e ry of t rut h s t h at h av e ,s t ric tly

s p e aki ng , no s ignific at io n ! S uch , I s ay , is

one ve r b al r e s ul t of t hi s dv anc e d thi nk e r s ’

a

philo s ophy .

But wh a
t m ak e s , in my 0 p 1nl on , Mr Mill s
.
’

Log ic and P hilo s ophy mo re i nco ns is te nt , if

”

po s s ibl e , is t hi s , th at he t e ll s us , a s l o v e ry
ea rly in his wo rk ,t h at w or ds s h all alway s
be s pok e n of by him as t h e name s of thi ng s

the ms e lve s , an d n ot m e re ly of our id e as of

t hi ngs . S o th at Mr Mill . has t w o de fi ni

t io ns for hi s g e ne ral wo rd s , fi rs tly , t o m e an

t hi ng s t h e ms e lv e s , and, s e co ndly ,t o h av e ,
”
st ric tly s p e aki ng ,no s ignific at io n H e nc e ,
of co urse ,philo s ophic al and s ci e nt ific o rtho
dox y c an be m ad e his doxy ,or t hi ngs th e m
se lv e s , and philo s ophic al h e t e rodox y is , of

co urs e , his oppo ne nt s doxy , or ’

wo rd s i h
W t

out s ignific at io n ”
! S tar t i ng fro m s uch i
s at s

fac t ory logic al p ri nciple s , as we propo s e to

1 “
L ogic, i

1,
. p . 24 .
 P R E FA C E .

S ho w in the c o urs e of t hi s wo rk , Mr M ill .

cl e arly p ro ve s t h at al l math e mat ic al de fi ni

t io ns h av e , s t ric tly s p e aki ng ,no si
g fi ni
c at i on ,

an d h
t at al l mat h e miciat ans , fro m t he d ay s
of E uclid h
t o t os e of La P l ac e , h ave b e e n in

e rror in t he v e ry found at i ons of t he ir sc i e nc e ,

viz .
, i n t h e me ani ng s of t h e wo rd s th e y w e re
us n i g!
Dr . Wh e w e ll , as a m ath e matici an,t ake s a

di ffe re nt i
v e w of s ci e ntific h
t rut , an d se e ms
to h av e c al mly advi s e d Mr Mill . t o s t udy p ur e
m ath e m at ic s ; a dvic e which Mr Mill . as s ure s

he has followe d , wi tho ut b e i ng i n t he l e as t

"

us

conve rte d to Dr Wh e we ll s i de as of s ci e nt ific

’
.

t r ut h and c e rtai nty !

S ir Joh n H e rs ch e l hold s t he c l
s a es p re t ty
e ve n ly b e tw e e n t he logici an and t he m ath e
mat ic ian, b ut i ncli ne s rat he r t o t he l ogi c i an,
and complim e nt s bo t h s id e s . He t ri e s to

i fy bo t h s id e s wi t ho ut d e cidi ng the que s

s at s

t io n which , he j us t ly s a s , is as ol d as t he
y j
vfi i P RE FAC E .

d a s
y of P l ato and A ris t otl e .
I Thi s migh t
s at si fy mo s t p e opl e if t he re w e r e not su ch
a wo rd as Caus e , and su ch a t hi ng as

“
Fi rs t Caus e Mr Mill , h ow e v e r, has
. 1
118

s ig nific atio n for c aus e , and so has Dr .

Wh e we ll ; and t h e y do n t ’
i n t he l e as t agre e !

and Sir J H e rs ch e l throws

. u
p his
p e n a lmo s t
”2
in d e s p ai r at
“
su ch a s t at e l g g
of an ua e , b ut

not o nly l e av e s t he q ue s t io n, wh e th e r g e ne ral

w ord s are t he na m e s of t hi ng s t h e ms e lv e s ,
”
or h ave no s ignific at i o n, unse t t e l d, b ut

c o nt i nue s to complim e nt M r . Mill as a

logici an, al tho ugh he agr e e s wi t h Dr . Whe

w e ll as a morali s t !
The re is , in s hor t, wh at migh t b e c all e d
a t ri ang ul ar d ue l b e t w e e n t h e s e t hre e gre at
philo s oph e rs , thre e of t he mo s t l e arne d and

a bl e me n in E ngland ,which wo uld be highly

l udicrous if it w e re not s a dd e ni ng ,as dire c tl y
1 “
E y, &c ,
ssa s . p . 250.

2
Ibid ,p 6 7 4
. . .
 i nvolvi ng the high e s t t rut h s of i c e , phi
sc e n

IOSOp hy , and r e ligio n

My obj e c t in t h us a lluding t o t he que st ion

c f t he me an i ng of t h e w ord c aus e ,is to s how
by a hi g h an d l ari ng e x ampl e , s t ill e xi s t i ng
g
in t he mid s t of us ,how ab s urd i t i s t o e xp e ct
“

t o se t t l e q ue s t io ns by m e ans of our wo rd s t ill

we h av e fi rs t s e tt l e d Wh at our wo rd s ar e in

s c e nt i ific t rut h .

T he fi rs t s te p , t h e re fore ,in phil os ophy is ,

in my O pi nion, t o se tt e l t he t rue s ci e nt ific

forc e or me ani ng of a g e ne ral t e rm . T he

s ol ut ion giv e n in t hi s wo rk , in Ch ap . IV .
,

w as fi rs t p ubli s h e d b y me in a forgo t t e n
p amphl e t ne ar ly t w e nt y y e ars ag o . It is

not ,t h e re fore , a l at e t ho ugh t , or occ as io ne d

by t he philo s ophic al di s p ute a bov e a ll ud e d
to . But,in t rut h ,uni ve rs al s , ab s t rac t wo rd s ,
or g e ne ral t e r ms , h ave b e e n t he b at t l e fi e ld
“

. of philo s ophy in al l a e s , and

g t he b attle
r ag e s as liv e ly as e v e r wh e ne v e r m an s i nne r ’
X P RE FAC E .

c o nvic tio ns are t o uch e d b y a W O R D ,as ,for

e x ample ,b y th e word Caus e .

T he high e r t he p e rs o nal authori ty for e rror,

t he more d ang e ro us , of co urs e , it is . No
high e r co mplim e nt c an b e p aid t o Mr Mill s
.
’

Logic , t h an t o s ay , t h at it has p uzzl e d S ir

J oh n H e rs ch e l , and l e ft him in a s tat e of

d o ub t , ad mi ri ng t he l og l c ,b ut not s at s i fie d
w t ih t he co ncl us io n,t ho ug h it se e ms t o h av e

had no e ffe c t on Dr . Wh e w e ll . In my

O pi nio n, all Mr Mill s p aradox e s may

.
’
be v e ry
cl e arly t rac ed t o his ow n d ubi e ty
»
and do uble
d e ali ng wi t h ab s t ract t e rm s ; i n s ho rt, s t rang e
as i t may a pp e ar t o adv anc e d t hi nk e r s and

a dmire rs of his a bl e w ri ti ngs , t o b ad logic .

It may se e m ar rogant to s p e ak t h us nu

fi inc hing ly on q ue s t io ns which h av e divid e d

t he gre at aut hors na me d ,b ut Col e ridg e has
j us tl y re mark e d ,t h at no man c an be prop e rly
call e d arro ant g who is ass e rt n i g a t r ut h . Thi s
book is a di s c uss io n of T ruth ,not of aut hori ty
 P RE FA C E .

or e s t e e m; and th e s e gre at aut ho ri ti e s are al l

at w ar wi th one ano t h e r . But t o s p e ak mo st

h umbly ; in t he t e mpl e of t rut h , a m e re
l abo ur e r may d e te c t a r e nt in t he founda

t io ns of the b uildi ng ov e rlook e d by t he gre at

ar chi t e c t s b us y wi th c
t he a ant us h l e av e s ; or

a p e as ant may se e bo th s id e s of a s hi e ld
ab o ut which g re at k nigh t s are doi ng b attl e .

But I h av e no t ol e rat io n , an d wi s h to h av e
no t ol e rat io n for fal s e O pi nio ns , which ,in my
j udgm e nt , are o nly fal s e word s , t he gr e at
corr up te rs of m anki nd . Th e re is no s u ch
t hi ng as logic al cr ue l ty ; and n o thi ng w ro ng
in doi ng our be st t o c r ucify a v e rb al s h uffl e .

But es p e ci ally wh e n we fi nd t he v e rb al e rror

t he s t ro nghold of a m at e ri ali s t ic phil os ophy ,
and pointi ng or l e adi ng dir e c tly t o one or

oth e r e x t re m e of Ath e is m or P ant h e i s m, or

en ding in co nfus io n, t he mo ral and i nt e l
l e c tual p i ciplr n es of our nat ure bo t h com t -

bi ne to urg e us , if po s sibl e , to e xpo s e

‘

xii P RE FA C E .

an d cl e ar it u
p . T he co n tro ve rs i al p art of

t hi s vol ume ,t h e re fore ,is rat he r to c all at t e n

t io n , and to s h ow t he i mpo rtanc e of the

b
a s tra ct ve r bal q ue s tio n,which ,in t h e s e d ay s
of i nd uc tive philo s ophy , is f
t oo o t e n p as s e d
o ve r as of li t tl e or n o ons e c q ue nc e t o t ut r h
i t s e lf,wh e th e r s c re n tifi c ,philo s ophic , or mo ral
t ruth . In my opi ni on, t hi s ab s t rac t v e rb a
l
q ue s t i on li e s at the ve r y found ati on an d r oo t
of al l h uman tr ut , and h h
t at I hop e t hi s
vo u l me w ill g o s o me w ay t o e s t a bli sh . In

p ro t e s t , h umbl e
o

s hor t , this E s s ay is a b ut

e arne s t , a a ns t g i t ath “
S ci e n tific d uali s m
which has hi t h e rt o en de d i n t ot al p hil os 0 p hic

c onfu s i on ; and is an att e mp t ,the succ e s s of

which t he c andid and i nt e llig e nt re a
d e r m us t
j udg e ,t o re vi e w the wid e s t g e ne raliz ati o n
of which t he h um an mi nd is c ap abl e .
 C O NT E NT S .

PRE AC E F

I NTROD UCTI O N .

1 . T he C o fu ion
n s of th e F u nd a me ntal Antith e si s
P hil o ophy s

M H b t Sp c
r . er er e n e r an d t h e Un i ve rs a l P o t ulate
s

S om K owl dg E i t
e n e e x s s . T he P o tulat s e

C HA PTER I NUM BER S

.
—
.

1. S om Hum Ke an no wl dge E xi st Mind , Thing ,

e s —
s s

W o d ; th F
r s e ac t o
rs of K n owl dge e

2 . Th Cl re e of ass e s O bj e cto T he Mate iali t , the

rs .
—
r s

I d li t,th A
ea s e n t i t h e i P hil o o h e
s s
p s rs

3 . T h C on t u c t io
e s r n of N umb er s
 C O NT E NT S .

4 . U ni t ,E y quality,Addi tio ,C avil li g n n

5 . Mr Mill ,and Numb e rs in th e Ab stract

.

6 . Abstraction,Indu ction,Cau ation,Numb e rs,&c s .

7 . Ge ome trical Ab stractions,L ine s,Surface s

8 . Numb e rs th e F oundation of al l Accu ate K now r

l e d ge

C HAPTE R II .
-
TH E THREE CL ASSE S OF O BJ E CT OR S .

T HE I NTELLE C TUA L U NITY IN TRI NI T Y .

l . T he Ant t i h e sis or Subj e ct Obj e ct Sc h e me of

P hilosoph y
2 . Wo ds ,n ot I de a ,F actors in K nowle dge
r s

3 . Fundame ntal Ant ith e s is foun de d in Mi s take n I ntui

t ion s

4 . Mate riali t and I de ali t O bj e ct or , the only Sub

s s s

s tan tial O b j c to e rs

T h e Mate iali t O bj e c ti on
r s

5 . T h e Ide alist O bj e cti on t he same in Sub s tanc e as t h e

Mate ialist r

6 . T h e Stan d p oint a i ve d at ,Numb e r s

-
rr

7 . T inity in Unity,th e firs t Manifold

r

8 . E pi te mology and O ntology in e parab le

s s

C HAPTE R III .
—
RE ALI SM ,IDE ALISM,N O MI NAL I S M .

1 . Mr . H R ali m
e rb e rt Sp e n ce r s
’
e s

2 . I d ali m Cont adicte d b y the L aw

e s r s g g
of L an ua e
 C O NTE NT S . XV

3 Be lie f of the R e al ,K nowle dge of th e I de al

.

4 Me di a val R e ali m,Mode rn I de alis m

. e s

5 T ru e N omin ali m
. s

6 T he Conve ntion of L angu age

.

CHAPTE R IV .
—
T HE P ROBLE M OF P H O S OP HY
IL .
—
WO RD S .

2 . N umb Ge ne ral T e rms or Unive rs als

e r s are

3 . Wh e we ll an d Mill on L an guage
4 . T h e L ogical Re s ul t
5 . Al l Ge n e ral Wo d s are N umb e sr r

6 . All Ge ne ral T e rms a e P odu ct s

‘
r r

7 . D e notative s and Com/rotative s,or Attrib utive s

Nat eD e mon tration th at Words are P roducts
—
s

or functi ons of P rodu ct s

C HA PT ER V .
—~
NUMBE R,TIM E ,A ND SP A C E .

T he F oundation s of V e rb al T ru t h
S ci tific T
en ru th Re quire s a Ne w C onve ntion in

T he C i y of N umb e rs from the Se nse s

e rta nt

N umbe r,Space ,and Time

i
TIM E D e ducibl e f om our F rst Ass ump tion
r

S P A C E D e du cibl e f om th e F irs t Ass ump ti on

r

T h e I nfin i ty of Numb e r ,Sp ac e ,and T im e

T he C e rtainty of D e duc ti on and Sce p ti c ism

 C O NTE NT S .

9 T he . Concl usion
10 K ant .
’
F o m ofT h ought
s r s

11 T h e . T i ity of th Human Mind

r n e

12 . T he Sci ntifi c E p
e ion E tabli he d x re ss s s s

C HAPTE R VI .
—
SC IE NT IFI C TRUTH AND CERT AI NTY .

1 S e nt
. ci ifi c C e rtainty Nume rical 15 5

2 . Ce rtainty b y S pace ,Time ,and N umb e rs N e wton . 16 3

3 . Gravity a Me re W o d,not a R e ality r 17 0

Al l Sc ie nt ific I de as ,Words not R e alitie s 17 8

C HAPTE R VIL I ND UCTIO N,D EDUCT IO N,TRUTH

—
.

i
Knowl dg B g n with S n tio and N ming
e e e s e sa ns a

N T uth and C tainty f om Induction

0 r er r

T h P tol mai c S y t m an I ndu cti on

e e s e

U tility nd T uth a r

D alton L w D duci bl and N c a y Why ?

’
s a e e e e ss r .

D e mons tr ation of i t

C HA PTER VIII —
L IFE A ND MIND .

1 An. E xampl of th PR OD UC T Hyp oth i in

e e es s

V b al D i cu i on th e F acto of L if
er s ss —
rs e

2 . T h F acto of th H uman Mi nd
e rs P ow ,Wi dom, e er s

Goodne s s
 C O NT ENT S . xvii

C HAPTE R IX .
—
L Aw A ND C AU S E .

P AG
E
C au ,P l lity of C u ,no C au at all
se ur a a se s se 24 0

A C au t L w nd i N tu
se a a a n a re 246

Th I f
e D ig A gum t
n ra . r en 25 5

P th i tical O bj ction
an e s e s 25 8

F ndam t l D iff nc and M Mill

u en a e re es r . 260

W o d n d W o k ; E ffici nt d F o m l C u
r s a r s e an r a a se s 26 3

Si J H
r .ch l on L w d C u ,and I nduct ion
e rs e a an a se

and D du ct i on e

8 . God in E yt hing b ut E il Mind

ve r v s

C HAPTE R X .
-
C O NC L U S IO N TRU TH an d N E C E SS IT Y
: . 28 2
 P RE FA CE T O RE ISS UE fi "

B e fore me n c an t hi nk or re as on on any
s ubj e c t wh at e ve r ,c e r t ai n p r e li mi nary as s ump

t i ons ar e n e c e s s ary an d unavoid abl e ; an d if

me n c ould ag re e up on wh at is t o b e t ak e n for
g rant e d ,no d oub t a g re at numb e r of di s p ute s
on phil os ophic al s ubj e c t s w ould di s app e ar .

In t he fi r s t pl ac e , as w e c annot re as o n or
t hi nk abo ut n oth i ng , it i s c l e ar t h at t he
r e as o ne r alw ay s as s ume s t he E wi s te ne e of t h e

t hi ng abo ut which he p rop os e s t o r e as o n In .

the s e c on d pl ac e it i s cl e ar t h at h e c annot
p rop os e any que s t i on c onc e rni ng the t hi ng t o
b e di s c us s e d , wi th out he fi rs t as s ume s t h e
o s s i b i li t of s u ch q u e s t i on
p y .

Th us c e rt ai n E x is te nc e s and P os s i b i li ti e s ,
or , t o us e t h e L ogic al n ame s , Cat e g ori e s
an d P re dic abl e s , m u s t alw ay s b e as s ume d in

e ve ry di s c u s s i on b e fore me n c an p os s ibly thi nk

or r e as o n t og e th e r , i n any w ay wh at e v e r .

But it i s al s o t r ue t h at e ve ry ab s ol u t e c on
c l us i on as s ume s and i mpli e s t h at t h e r e is
n o t hi ng in t h e whol e un iv e r s e t h at c an ov e r

Con qu nt o th f il u of th P bli h
se e n e I o a re e u s e rs . n ne

n ot ice wo k,the auth o h a be e n accu e d of w ant of

of thi s r r s s

c ourt e y t ow a ds t h ose D e p e Think e

s r W h o e opin i on e r rs
”
s s

h h a atte mp te d to e fut
e s H t ak t hi opp o t unity of
r e . e es s r

e xp e in g h i h e a ty o ow fo any w o d which could

r ss s r s rr r r s

p o ibly offe n d But h e fin d t h at e p e ion which h e

ss . s x r ss s

l ook e d on ath e a an att mpt to e nli e n a d ul l subj e ct

r r s e v

wit h p o ibly doubtful w it h av e b e n mi tak e n fo

ss lf e s r se

su fii ie n c
c
y a n d w agg e , of wh i ch
s ,h ow e ve , h e fr
e e l
”
hi m r s

se l f inn oc e n t .
XX P RE FA CE TO REISSUE .

t urn i t ; and t h e re fore ,in o rd e r t o arrive at

any a s b ol
ut e T r ut h by t hi nki ng and re as o n
i ng , i t is al s o unavoid ably ne c e ss ary t h at our “

p re li mi nary as s ump t io ns s h ould in s om e w ay

e xh aus t or e mb rac e t h e wh ol e Uni ve rs e of E x

i s t e nc e
. E ve ry one who as s e rts any t hi ng as
b e i ng ab s ol ut e ly T rue , has al re ady in fac t
ass ume d s ome s y s t e mof th e Un i ve rs e .

T he c om mon s c off th at t he M e di ae v al s ch ool

me n li mi t e d t he Univ e rs e t o the Cat e go ri e s and
P re dic abl e s of A ri s t otl e is i n fac t a s c off at the
n e c e s s ary an d fund ame nt al l aw s of al l t hi nk

ing and re as o ni ng wh at e ve r .

I f w e ar e di s s at i s fi e d wi t h A ri s t ot l e s fun
’

d ame nt al as s ump t i ons t h e n i t b e c ome s our

d uty t o s ugg e s t b e t t e r ; for t h us o nly c an any
t r ut h b e e s t abli s h e d by t hi nki ng and r e as on
ing . But w e mus t alway s t e s t t he t r ut h of
our as s ump t i ons an d co ncl us io ns as far as p os
s ibl e by ob s e rv at i on an d e xp e ri me n t .

In t hi s B ook I h ave as s ume d t h at t h e re are

t h re e , and n o mor e t h an t h re e , di s ti nc t E mis
te noe s i n t he Un i ve rs e , viz , MIND , MA TTE R ,
.

an d LA N GU AGE ; t he c omp one nt fac t o rs of al l

h uman K nowl e dg e I al s o t hi nk t h at me n
.

c an only di s c us s t w o os s i b le ki nd s of q ue s
p
t io ns c onc e rni ng t h e s e t h re e t hi ng s ,viz ,t h e i r
.

STA T ES and t h e i r RE L A T I O N S . I h ave al s o

at t e mp t e d t o s h e w t h at T i me , Sp ac e , and
Numbe r , t he g re at me as ure s by which w e fi x
our co nc e p t io ns of t he E x t e rnal Uni ve rs e of
M at t e r are re s p e c t iv e ly p artic ul ar re l at io ns
 P RE FA CE T O R EISSUE . xxi

of Mi nd , M att e r, and Lang uag e F ac ts may .

b e e i th e r S t at e s or Re l at i ons But Caus e s

.

and L aw s are al l R e l at i ons .

But t he m ai n obj e c t of t hi s Book is t o s h e w

t h at all ab s t rac t w ord s or n ame s wh at e v e r are
s ci e nt ific ally s p e aki ng p rod uc ts of c e rt ai n
Fac t o rs ; which fac t ors are t he ab s t rac t lik e
n e s s e s which t h e i n divid ual s of t he cl as s b e ar

t o e ach ot h e r. And t h us I ch all e ng e al l re a

s one rs upo n A b s t rac t S ubj e c t s t o d e fi ne t h e ir

wo rd s by s e t t i ng d ow n t he li s t of fac t o rs which
i n t h e i r O pi nio n g o t o c omp os e t he chi e f ah
s t rac t t e r ms which ar e in di s p ut e In s ho rt .

my chi e f obj e c t is t o p rop os e a n e w and more

p e rfe c t me th od of d e fi ni n g ab s t rac t w ord s Of .

t hi s me th od I giv e t w o s h ort e x ampl e s i n

Ch ap t e rs VIII and IX
. . But in t r ut h unt il
s ome b e t te r me t h od of d e fi n i ng our ab s t rac t

w ord s is adop te d th e di s c us s i on of mo s t ab
s t r ac t phil os ophic al q ue s t io n s s e e ms at re
p
s e n t al mo s t w as t e of t i me .

Th us ,for e x ampl e ,wh en a l e arne d aut ho r

w ri t e s a Book as he s ay s t o e xpl ai n
Life ,M ud,and S oci e t y ; in t e r ms of M at te r ,
”
m oti on and fo rc e ; the q ue s t i on he p rop os e s
t o di s c uss app e ars t o my mi n d fun d ame nt ally
ab s ur d an d i mp os s ibl e ! T he re as on i s t h at I
as s ume t h at M at t e r an d Mi n d ar e t w o di s t i nc t

and c ont radic t ory t hi ng s , t h e Cons cio us t hi n g

and t h e unco ns ci ous t hi ng He ,on t he o th e r

.

h and ,m us t of ne c e s s i t y as s um e ,as I c onc e iv e ,

H b t Sp c
er e r
’
en er s F i t P incipl
“
rs r es .
”
x xn P RE FA CE TO R EISSUE .

t h at Mi nd may b e e volv e d from or is a s tat e

of M at t e r ; or, in ot h e r t e r m s ,t h at mo t i on s
and e mo t i ons or t he co n s cio us and it s c ont ra

dic t ory t he unc ons cio us may b e one and th e

s ame t hi ng ! T o my mi nd s uch re as o ni ng
app e ar s utt e rly ab s ur d or i mpo s s ibl e . He
migh t as w e ll p rop os e t o p rov e t h at a s t e am
e ngi ne t hi nk s and re as ons wh e n i t us e s i t s

o ve r n or ; or t h at a w at e rfall fe e l s p ai n and
g
g ri e v e s whil s t p urs ui ng i ts h e adl ong c ourse !
S i nc e t he o ve rth row of t he auth ori ty of t he
A ri s t o t e li an phil os ophy th e re fore , it is more
t h an e ve r ne c e s s ary t h at e ach w rit e r s houl d
s t at e his fund ame nt al as s ump t i ons ; wh at
are t he e x i s te n c e s which h e as s ume s t o e xi s t ,

t he que s t i ons which h e as s ume s t o b e p os s i b le .

T he autho r t rus t s t h at th e s i mplici t y of t he

me th od which he has p rop os e d for d e fi ni ng
ab s t rac t T e rms by t h e i r Co mp one nt Fac t o rs

will c omme nd i ts e lf t o the i nt e llige nt re ade r .

T he me t aphy s ic al arg ume nt s c ont ai ne d i n

t hi s Bo ok may al s o b e e xp re s s e d i n a v e ry fe w
w ord s If w e as s ume Mi nd and M at t e r t o b e
.

di s t i nc t and diffe re nt ,t h e n P hys i ol ogy t e ach e s

us t h at t h e i mp re s s io ns of e x t e rnal t hi ng s on

our B odi e s p as s al ong t he mic ro s copic n e rv e s

of our ne rvous s y s t e m i nt o t he g re y c e ll ul ar
mat t e r of t he B rai n . But w e are t h e re as
far as e v e r fro m k nowi ng t he g re at s t e p whi ch
c onv e rts th e mi nut e phy s ic al vib rati ons, or
s ome thi ng s in our b rai n, i nt o t h ough t s or
e mot i ons or m e nt al p ri ncipl e s ,i nt o s ome thi ng s
 P RE FA CE T O REISSUE . xxiii

i n our mi nd s We do and c an t rac e the ro ad s

.

p ur s ue d b y e x t e rnal i mp re s s io ns i nt o mi nut e
i nfi ni te s i mal s o me thi ng s which p as s al ong our
n e rv e s an d e xi s t i n our b rai ns . Th e re w e
i n divid ually k no w th at t h e y are c onv e rte d i nt o
t ho ugh t s , i n t o me nt al E mot i ons or J udg
m e nt s and t o th e s e th ough t s w e gi ve name s
and man ufac t ure w or ds for t h at p urpo s e ,
and s e n d t h e m fort h al ong our out c arry ing

n e r ve s t o our fe ll ow me n w hich wo rd s w e
'

c all t he nam e s of t he t hi ng s which w e as s ume

t o e xi s t an d which h ave p r od uc e d t h e ori
in nl i mp r e s s io ns on our b odi e s B ut as
g .

t he n e rv ous vib rat io ns as w e ll as the me nt al

t h ough ts or e m ot io n s of e ach man c an b e
k now n only t o him s e lf,the o nly t hi ng s which
me n h ave in c ommon in thi s wh ol e p roc e s s
which c an b e c omp are d t og e t h e r are t he ul ti
m at e Human Wor ds which t h e y m ak e or
'

ad o t , and t h e s e wo r d s are t h e re for e t he o nly

p
c omp one nt mat e ri al s of all H uman re as oni ng
an d k nowl e dg e .Me n c annot e v e n s p e ak of or
di s c us s oth e r me n s t ho ugh t s or any e x t e r
’

n al t hi ng s in nat ure ; b ut t h e y c an di s c us s o nly

t h e i r ow n or t h e i r ne ighb our s w ord s for t h e i r

’

p ri vat e unk nown t h ough t s of t hi ngs Tho ugh t s

.

and Thi ng s the ms e lve s ar e by man s nat ure

’

e ffe c t ually and al t og e t h e r re mov e d fr o m al l

h uman di s c us s i on We c an r e as o n,b ut only

.

wi th w ord s and abo ut w ord s But our w ord s ,

.

if t ruly frame d ,may t e ach ot h e r me n t o t hi nk

r igh t l y ab out t he t h ough t s and t hi ng s which
 P RE FA CE TO REISSU E .

we as s ume toxi s t If t he w ord s for our

e .

fund ame ntal ass ump tio ns are c ons i s t e nt wi th

T ruth , and if our co ncl us i ons are s t ric tly
de duc e d by acc urat e r e as o ni ng from t ho s e
fun d ame ntal as s ump t i ons t h e n our d e d uc ti ons
are T r ut h s. I nd uc ti on may ofte n as s i s t us in
g ue ss i ng at ne w t r uth s , b ut ne ve r c an giv e us
any ab s ol u t e t rut h wh at e v e r We mak e by
.

i nd uc ti on o nly p rob abl e g ue s se s from which

w e may s o me t i me s frame n e w fund am e nt al

as s ump t i ons , j us t , for e x ampl e , as D al t on s

’

ob s e rv at i on of d e fi ni te p rop ort io ns i n ch e mi s
t ry has l e d t o t h e at omic t h e o ry of m at t e r ,
and D al t on s Law has b e co me a n e c e s s ary and
’

abs olute T rut h , foun d e d on t he wo r d A t om or

ul t i mat e p ar t icl e p
( .

In e v e ry h uman c onc e p t i on wh at e v e r t h e re
are t h r e e Fac t or s a c t i ng in uni s on t og e t h e r .

T he Thi ng or obj e c t p rod uci ng n e rv ous ac t i on

or e mot ion l n t he B ody T he Mi n d or s u bj e c t
'

p as s iv e ly re cipi e nt of the ac t i on of the obj e c t

an d ac t iv e ly e mi t t i ng t he W or d e xpr e ss i ng

t he c onc e p t i on an d t h e w or d i t s e lf which
—

e mb odi e s t h e M e n t al Conc e p t i on of t he Thi ng

an d which W or d i s ac t i ve ly c ap abl e of t rans

mi tt i ng t h at Conc e p t i on t o o th e r mi n d s .

Th e s e t h re e form a t ri Uni ty , 3 Uni t y in

-
.

T ri ni ty , e ach ac t i ve ly e ngag e d in c re ati ng

e ach and e v e ry H uman Co nc e p t io n I f t hi s.

b e t r ue of e ve ry c onc e p t io n,i t is of c ours e

t r ue of al l H uman k n owl e dg e Th e re fore it
.

i s t r ue of s e lf k nowl e dge and of the Conc e p

-
 P RE FA CE T O RE ISSUE . V

i
t on of Spi ri t ual E xi s t e nc e ; i t i s t r ue of t h e

H igh e s t Conc e p t io n man c an fo rm,i e ,of t h e . .

Conc e p ti on of the D e i t y as a p urifi e d Conc e p

t ion of t h e H igh e s t H uman s e lf c ons cio us ne s s ,
-

th e di mme d I mag e of its Mak e r Th us .

t h e d oc t ri ne of t he T ri ni t y , as r e v e al e d in
Ch ri s t i ani t y,is s h e w n t o b e a n e c e s s ary T r ut h
d e d uc e d from the s i mpl e as s ump t i on t h at man
i s a Sp ir i t e ncl os e d in a B ody an d c ap abl e of
c ommunic at io n wi t h oth e r mi nd s b y m e ans
of Wor ds , s y mbol s , or Lang u ag e In fac t ,
.

t he as s ump t i on which all me n mus t mak e t h at

t he Uni ve rs e co n s i s t s of Mi nd , M at t e r , and
L ang uag e , or of S pi ri t s ,Bodi e s ,and W ord s ,
i nvolv e s t hi s d e e p and my s te ri ous doc t ri nal
T ruth the Uni t y in T ri ni ty and T ri ni ty in
—

Uni t y of man s C o nc e p t i on of t he s up re m e
’

G odh e ad ! Th us our k nowl e dg e of t he s t at e s

and re l at io ns of t hi ng s an d p e r s o ns ma b
y e

c ont i nually i nc re as i ng ,b ut y e t w e h ave no ah

s ol ut e t r ut h s e xc e p t ve rb al t r ut h s H um an
.

Wo rd s are t he o nly re s ul t of all our r e as o ni ng,

Wo rd s , p e rh ap s , e xpre s s i ng d e e p e r vi e w s of
t he nat ur e an d co ns ti t ut io n of t h e Univ e rs e !

Th e s e W ord s which t h us p ass and r e p as s

al ong me n s n e rvous s y s t e ms and are e l ab o
’

r at e d in me n s B rai ns ar e as i t w e re t he
’

mat e ri al b ridg e s b e t w e e n mi n d and mi nd and

r ul e al l manki nd by t h e i r i nfl ue nc e Th e i r .

i mportanc e c an h ardly b e ov e r e s t i mat e d ,b ut

-

m e taphy s ic al di s c us s i on is not and c annot b e

a di s c us s io n abo ut t he mi nd s and m e ntal
xxvi P RE FA CE To REISSUE .

t hi ng s of di ffe re nt me n which we c annot in

any wi s e comp are ,b ut only ab out me n s ’
w or ds
which w e c an and do Co mp are Th us w e are .

b rough t agai n t o vi e w t he i mpo rtanc e of

ad op t i ng s ome n e w and b e t t e r me t h od of

d e fining our Wo rd s th an has hi th e rt o e xi s te d ,

an d mo re e s p e ci ally in all M e t aphy s ic al and

P hil os ophic al di s c us s io n .

DE FI NITI O NS OF W ORD S U S ED IN T HI S W ORK .

All Thin gs or th e Univ rs e e T he p oduct of Mind , r

of E xi te n c e
s is Matt , and L ngu ag er a e .

Thing a of th e e kind ,Me ntal ,P hy ical ,and V b al

s re r s s er .

Q u e
s t i on as e o
rf t w o ki n d on
s l y ,v i , Szt at
. an d R e l at i on es s .

Knowle dge is Mind, Thing ,an d Wo d s r s .

T h e H uman Mi n d i s E motion ,Int ll e ct, Wil l , e

e ach of which i a Mi n d s .

Matte r i s F o ce ,Ma ,and F o m

r ss r .

Man is B ody,Soul ,and S pi it r .

I nfinite N umbe r i s U nity an d I n fi n i ty .

I nfinite Tim e i s N u mb r and Mind e .

Infinite S pace i s N umbe ,N g ative Matte , r e r

and Tim e .

i s Matte , O gani ation , Ah

r r s

o p ti on ,
s r A i mil at i on , ss

S e c e tion, R e p oduction
r r

fo V g e tab l L ife ,
r e e

A dd Se n ati on fo a Z oo s r

li te ,
p g
Add N e r vou s ci
A t on or In
te l lig e nc e for A nimal
L if , e

Add Mi n d or Spir it for

Human L ife .

is W or ds an d O r de r .

is Thing ,A ction ,an d Mind

s .

is Thing and P a ion s ss .

 P HIL O SO P HY

T HE SC IE NC E O F T R U T H .

INT ROD UCT ION .

( 1 7 7m Conf us i on o
f tb c F undame n tal
”
A n ti the s i s P b i los op b g . l ab ours of
T he
”
philo s oph e rs u
p t o p re se nt t im e , w ro t e
t h e

K ant , e igh t y y e ars ag o, h av e ai me d at

“

e re c t i ng an e dific e of philo s ophy , b ut t o m

y
e y e t hi s e dific e app e ars i n a v e ry r ui no us c on

di t i on I f he co uld n ow look dow n u p on

wh at has follow e d his ow n abl e at t e mp t t o
Show t h at the high e s t phil os ophical w i s dom
mus t e nd in th e d e e p e s t h umili t y , or, as h e
“

e xp re s s e s it , Th at in r e s p e c t t o the e s s e nt i al
e n d s of h um an nat ur e w e c anno t adv anc e
B
2 P H IL O S O P H Y OR , [ In.t , 1 .

fur th e r, wi th the h e lp of t he high e s t phil o;

S oph y ,t h an und e r t he g mdanc e which nat ure

has v ouch s afe d t o the m
”
e an e s t u nd e rs t andi n g ,

w h at w ould h e h ave n ow s aid t o t h e c on

fus i on , w ors e c onfound e d, which l at e r p hil o

S oph e rs h ave b uil t on t h os e K ant i an w ord s
an d d oc t ri n e s t h at , as he t h ough t an d w rot e ,

w e re s uffi ci e nt t o s e t t l e and c oncl ud e all

“

”
os s ibl e q u e s t i on s of phil os ophy ?
p
Wh o c an d e s c rib e t he w or dy c on flic t s t h at
h ave b e e n c arri e d on s i nc e K ant s day ab out ’

t h e one an d t h e man ifold t he s ubj e c t i ve

,
and ob e c t l ve e p ur e r e as on an d e mpi
j h
9 “
t

r ic al r e as on , i nt ui t i ons and re p re s e nt a
”
t i on s , id e as , c onc e p tio ns , p e rc e p ti ons , an d
“

”
i nt ui t i ons , th e e g o an d non
“
t h ough t s
“

” ”
and t h i ng s ,
“
fac t s and t he ori e s , ne c e s s ary “

”
an d e xp e r i e n t i al t r ut h s , th e p os s ibili ty of
“

”
p ure ly t hi nki ng t he unc ondi t i one d , t he t w o
”
uni t i e s t h at are on e un i t y , or ,In s h or t , t he

fund ame ntal ant i t h e s i s of all Phil os oph y ? ”

Has K ant s mos t abl e and w e il me ant at t e mp t

’

r e ally s e t t l e d any t hi ng t h at b e t h ough t he

'

had s e t t l e d or has his P hil os ophy , an d i t s

?

natural or unnat ura l d e v e l op me n t s , t e nd e d t o

Int ,g
. T HE SCIE N CE OF T R U T H . 3

i f c t orily ans w e r any of t ho se q ue s t io ns

s at s a

which h e fon dly h op e d he had foun d the

m e ans t o s e t at re s t for e ve r ?

T h e s i mpl e fac t r e mai ns , t h at K ant fl ung

i nt o t he s e e t hi ng c ald ron of E ur op e an P hilo
S ophy a n umb e r of ne w w or ds ,ab out which
has b e e n c arri e d on e ve r s i nc e an unc e as i ng
w arfare T he w ork t h at K an t p rop os e d t o
.

do s t ill re mai ns t o b e d one . Fai t h an d

Re as on h ave n e i t h e r g ai ne d much n or l os t
much by all t he w e ap on s t h at h ave b e e n
”
t h r ow n, an d t h e e dific e of P hil os ophy is
“

s t ill as r ui n ous as e ve r.

In s uc h an e mb r oil e d ar e na,wh at i s w ant e d

is not a gl ov e of d e fi anc e , b ut a d ov e of p e ac e .

I f, t h e re fore , w e s e e m t o pl ung e i nt o t he
middl e of th e ph il os ophic al fi e ld , it i s not t o
’

h andl e t he v e rb al w e ap ons which h ave b e e n

hi t h e rt o u s e d ,b ut r at h e r t o s h ow t h at t hos e
w e apo ns , t h e i r w or d s ,h av e not hi th e rt o b e e n
in any w ay p re p ar e d for t h e c ont e s t . In
t rut h , mos t or di n ar y mort al s r at h e r app r ove

of t he S cot ch man s d e fi ni t i on of me t aphys ics ,

’

“
J us t t w a me n h ave ri ng ; t he ane d oe s na
k e n wh at t h e 1the r s ay s ; an d t he i th e r d oe s
'

B 2
4 PH I LOSO P HY ; OR , [ In t.
, 2 .

na k e n what he s ay s hi ms e l ! ’
M o s t of t h os e
w h o l ook on ,fe e l al mos t lik e t h at T urki s h c adi

w ho d e t e r mi n e d t he c aus e b y or de ring b oth

~ ~

p art i e s t o b e b e at e n , and c onfi s c at ing t he

s ubj e c t m at t e r in di s p ut e .

In fac t , h op e l e s s as t he at t e mp t may s e e m,
an d p ow e rl e s s as w e ma b e t o e n fo rc e t he
y
j udgme nt , the T urk s d e ci s i on is s ome t hi ng
’
,

lik e wh at w e p r op os e t o do in t he followi ng
p ag e s We d e s i re , if p os s ibl e ,t o s il e nc e al l
.

p art i e s among s t mod e rn anti th e tic al p hil os o

ph e rs , a n d t o c o n fi s c at e , by s u pp r e s s i n g , t h e

an t i t h e s i s ab out whic h t h e y h ave c arri e d on

the w arfare . We affi rm t h at t h e re is no

fund ame ntal antithe s IS In th e h uman mi nd or
i n h u man k nowl e d ge .We as s e rt th at t he
d oc t ri ne of a c oupl e c an gi ve as li t tl e c e r
t ai nt y or e q uilib ri um i n me nt al , as in me ch a

nic al phi l os ophy ,an d t h at it c an only c ont i n ue ,

as i t has hi th e r t o p roc e e d e d , i n n e ve r e ndi ng

an d i nc on cl us iv e re as onl ng In a c irc l e
’

( )
2 Z VI.r H e r b e r t S p e n c er a n d t b c U n i
ve rs al P os t u late .
—
.
Any wi t ne s s alm os t is c om
w

p e t e nt an d s uffici e nt t o t e st ify t o a s tat e of .

c onfus i on in which he has t ak e n an ac t iv e

Int ,
. T HE SCIE N CE OF T RU TH .

p art , h owe v e r unfi t or u nabl e t he wi tne s s

may b e e i th e r t o s t at e the c aus e or t o s ugg e s t
the t r ue re me dy L e t us s ummon fi rs t
. an

ad vanc e d t hi nk e r , l at e s t s e lf s tyl e d
” 1
t he -

r e al is t i n E ngl and T hi s phil os oph e r de

mand s a datum, a univ e rs al p os t ul at e an d

t hi nk s t h at i t s ab s ol ut e n e c e s s i ty i s p rov e d

by th e ut t e r c onfus i on of c urre nt opi ni on

“

on all fun d am e n t al q ue s t i ons

,
He s ay s t h at .
3

thi s uni ve rs al p os t ul ate mus t b e foun d

b e fore t he e n dl e s s di s p ut e s c an b e b rough t t o
'

an e nd an d i ns i s t s t h at t he p os s i b il i ty of

d e fe ndi ng t h e ori e s s o ut t e rly at vari anc e wi th

u niv e ral b e li e f as id e ali s m and s c e p t ici s m, an d

t he d oc t ri ne s of FiC h t e and H e g e l , i mpli e s

on e of t w o t hi ng s s o me fun d ame ntal fl aw
“
—

in t h e mod e s of arg u me nt , or , t h at al l
” “

”
t hi nki ng is fall aci ous .

Thi s wit ne ss ,w ho is hi ms e lf a philos ophic al

1 “
P i cipl
r n es of P yc h ology, p 5 ,
s . et 36
9 .
T he la t s

W e s tmin s te r, ”
Ju ly,18 6 0, p 172 , c ll . a s Mr . Sp c e n er
“
a

ical thin ke
se v e r e an d s t o T h e adv an c d t hin k
r .
p
”
o es e e rs r

v ok e an d e n c ou rag on anot h e lik ch oolboy takin g a

e er e s s

c old p lung , N ow ,b ra e lad ,wh o ll b e o e h ad fi t ?

e v s
’
v r e rs
”

It w ould b e amu in g,if it we e n ot p ai nfu l ,wh n on

s r e e re

me mb rs t hat t h u bj e c t i n ol ve s , in u b tanc ,E te n i ty
’

e e s v s s e r

and S al at ion , t h e
v immo tality of the h uman mind,Sther

r e su rr e cti on f om the de ad !
r
 6 P H I L O S OP HY ; OR , [ In t ,g 2
. .

d oc t or t o t he e x t e nt of an oc tavo v ol ume of
6 2 0 p ag e s , p ropo s e s a c ure for t he p re vaili ng
di s e as e in t he b ody p oli t ic of phil os ophy ,
which is th e mos t l udic rous p os s ibl e Thi s .

Cure i s a p anac e a of his ow n co mpo s i ng , a

do s e t o b e h e nc e forth s wall ow e d by all p hilos o
h rs ,i n t he s h ap e of M r S p e n c e r s uni ve rs al
“ ’
“

p e .

p os t ul at e . Thi s p os t ul ate c ompli c at e s and

i nvolv e s no t hi ng l e s s t h an the s e ve n foll owi ng
d ubi ous w ord s , id e as , n ot i ons , i nt ui ti ons , or,
as Mr Mill migh t s ay , name s of t hi ng s
.

t h e ms e l ve s t h at h ave , s t ric tly s p e aki ng , n o

”

s ig n i fi c at i on , viz : 1s t BE L IE F ,i n t w o me an
”
. .

i ng s , not s ayi ng which ! 2 nd, P r oof ! 3rd ,

I nco nc e i vabili ty ! 4 t h, N e g at i on ! 5 th, In
"

vari abili t y ! 6 th , E x iSt e nc e l

7 t h and l aSt ,
’

a wo r d which , h e s ay s , if al l t h e ot h e r s i x are

g rant e d , may me an wh at w e lik e ,i e , any . .

thIng It may , vi z , T R U T H
”
. Th e re is a c ol
l e c t ion of d ubio us w ord s , or id e as , or thi ng s ,
for a ratio nal and d e lib e rat iv e b e i ng t o b ol t
affi r mat i ve ly In on e s e nt e nc e as a P os tu lat e !

But li s t e n o nly t o t he co ns e q ue n c e s t hr e at e ne d
by t he doc tor i n c as e our phil os ophic al s t o
’

m ach s ho uld re fus e t o s ub mi t t o s uch an awful

In t ,s
. T HE SCIE N CE OF T R U T H .

a d mi ni s t rati on by t hi s ad vanc e d t hi nk e r
“
.

He t e ll s us t h at w e are all und e r t he ine x

”
orab l e n e c e s s i ty of g ran t i ng t hi s un i ve rs al

p os t ul at e ( i e , of s w all owi ng a g rammatic al

. .

h as h i n vol vi ng all t h os e s e ve n d ubi ous w ord s

or t hi ng s , al mos t any on e of which mig h t w e ll

e mpl oy any man for h alf his phil os ophic al

life b e fore he c ould b e c e rt ai n of i t s t r ue and

”
e x ac t m e ani ng ) as our only g uar an t e e for
t h e re ali t y of our co ns ci ous ne s s , of our s e n
”
s at ions , an d of our p e rs on al e xi s t e n c e ! na ,
y
more , if p os s ibl e , our only g uarant e for
“ ”

e
t he t r ut h an d c e r t ai n t y of any axi om, or
“

of any s t e p i n an y d e mon s t rat i on T o do

t his re a li s t phil os ophe r re al and s ub s tan t i al
j us t ic e , not wi t h s tandi ng t h at my p e rs onal
e xi s t e nc e has b e e n t h us ut In j e op ar dy , an d
p
t h at my c ons ci ous ne s s has b e e n l e ft wi t h out

any g uaran t e e ,acc or di ng t o t h e phil os ophy of

”
t hi s
“
adv anc e d t hi nk e r, I s ubj oi n i n a n ot e
his own ac t ual w ord s , s o t h at al l my re ad e rs
may re aliz e t h e i r ow n c ons ci ous ne s s and p e r
s on al e xi s t e nc e , by t aki ng and adop t i ng , i f

t h e y c an , i e , s w all owi ng , t hi s univ e rs al p os

. .
»

t ul at e in any i nt e lligibl e s e ns e What e v e r

.
 PH ILO SO P HY OR , [ In t , 2
. .

I wo uld me re ly ob s e rve wi t h h umili t y , al l

t h at i n E uclid s s cho ol , a p os t ul ate alw ay s

’

rank e d wi t h ax w ms , or s u pp os e d s e lf e vid e nt -

t rut h s ; an d in t h os e e arly d ay s , b e fore ad

vanc e d t hi nki n g had g one ah e ad s o far b ack

w ar d s , i t me an t wh at no r e as onabl e p e rs o n

co uld d e ny d p r i or i It is ab s u rd t o d e mand , .

at t h e
p o m t of y ou r l ogic al or phil os ophic a l
s p e ar , as s e n t t o a p r op os i t i on i n v ol vi ng s i x or

s e ve n d oub t ful w or d s , which an

y m a n wi t h
h alf a g rai n of l ogic c an p ull t o t at t e rs But .

t h e ab s urdi t y is i nfi ni t e ly g re at e r wh e n t h e ,

philo s oph e r, t he ad vanc e d t hi nk e r,avowe dly

h as t w o s e ns e s for one w ord ,and e i t h e r c anno t ,
w

or d oe s n ot , t e ll h is p at i e n t or his di s cipl e

i n which s e ns e or in wh at me ani n g t he w ord

i s t o b e t ak e n Thi s i nd e e d i s s e ve re and
.
“

s t oica l l og Ic ; t hi s is the cli max of ad vanc e d

”
“

'

t hi nki ng T he W Is e s t of me n are li a
.
1
bl e t o b e
M S p c r y , ot , p 30,i
1
r . en e f nc t o
sa s n
p a age . n r e e re e a ss e

In th e te xt , “
I ha ve gi
w o d B lief t wo pa ll l ve n th e r e ra e

m amng ; u n g it in t h e oh e c a e to d c rib e th e p e r is te nc e
e s s1 s es s

of a t at of c on ciou ne ,an d i n th e ot h
s e s ap i t nt t t
s ss er e rs s e s a e

of c on ci ou n es T h c on te t [al way a e fug wh n a man

s ss . e x s r e e

can not xpl ain him l f ] will in e ach ca h ow in which

e se se s

i t i t o b e u n d e tood A g ain h ay , Me an ”
sen se s at p 3 1
rs . e s s :

wh t w m y by th wo d T uth,w e h av no ch oice b ut t o
a e a e r r e

h old th at a B lief w hi c h 8 p r ov d by th inc onc e iva ble ne s s

e 2 e e
Int .
, T HE S C IE NCE OF T RUT H . 9

mi s l e d w ord , and unwi t ti ngly t o fi nd

by a

m
t h e s e l ve s d e fe ndi ng wh at i s i nd e fe ns ibl e .

T he p rop e r c our s e i s t h e n t o c orre c t t h e w ord s

and t h e th ough t s t h e y r e p re s e nt But wh e n .

an auth or av ow e dly us e s on e w or d in t w o
s e ns e s i n t h e s ame p as s ag e of his Work , he

t h e re by c onfe s s e s hi ms e lf in s uch a s t at e of

d ubi e ty and unc e r t ai nty on the s ub j e c t of t hat

f
o i ts We ha e se e n
ne g ation t o invar i ab ly e x is t ,i s tr ue . v

t h at t hi is t h e a s u mp t ion on which e ve y con cl u i on

s s r s

wh ate ve u l timate ly re t W e h av n o oth e gu a ant e

r s s . e r r e

for t he r e al it f
o c ons c ious ne s s ,of s e ns a t i ons ,of p e rs onal
y
e x is te nc e h a e n o oth gu a an te fo
, we v a i om ; er r e r an
y x

w e ha n o ot h ve gu a ant e fo any t p in a de mon

er r e r s e

t at io
s r H n c ,a be in g t ak n fo g ant d in e v y ac t
n . e e s e r r e er

of t h und t n di ng , it mu t b
e e rs a r e ga d d a t h e Un i s e r e s

v e r al P o tul at
s H w a not told in which of M
s e .
”
e re e re r .

S p nc tw o m aning t h wo d B e li f i t o b e tak n in
e er s
’
e s e r e s e

th ep o tul te it l f Man y o mo t t ion al E ngli h m

s a se . r s ra s en

w ould de ny t h at B lie f p op ly me an e it h a p e r i t nt e r er s er s s e

t t , o p e r i te n
s a e r i n any t at of c on ci ou n
s s ce T he s e s s e ss .

doct i n of e ali m i th e i t n ce of thing inde pe n d e n t of

r e r s s ex s e s

con ciou n ,an d acco ding t o thi doc t ine ,th Be li f [t h

s s e ss r s r e e e

t hi g b li
n d ] h ould th fo xi t wh t h t h b lie
e e ve s e re re e s e er e e ve r

i c on c i ou o u n c on ci ou
s s s Th u thi ali t c ont adict
r s s . s s re s r s

h i ow n d oct ine i n t h v ry me anin g of t h w ord B l i f,

s r e e e e e

a nd t out O n h i phil o ophical c a e

se s on b e h al f of
s ali m, s r er re s

n ot on ly wi t h an u nm n in g p o t ul at , b u t wi th a cl a ea s e e r

se lf contradiction In fact ,it is imp o ibl t o t ll f Om M .

-
. ss e e r r

S pe nc w o d ,wh th t hi
er s
’
r li t do o do n ot
s e er s re a s
”
es r es

be lie e t h at t h e un i t t n oon day , wh e n h e , M

v s ex s s a r .

S p n ce ,goe d ow n to th e ce ll a ,o h u t h i e y , nd do
e r s r r s s s es a es

n ot f e l t h ay S e e th e wh ol e p a age ab out t h
’
un
e e s s r s . ss e

Sun, p 2 9
”
. .
10 P HI L O S O P HY ; on, [ In.t , 2 .

w ord , t h at he b e c ome s e nt i t l ed n ot to r e futa

t i on , b ut t o c ond e mnat i on H ow e ve r d e fici e nt

.

a man ma
y b e i n hi s p ow e rs of i n v e nt i on t o
mak e a ne w wo rd , y e t he c an alw ay s p ut a
bl ot or a bl ur, s ome mark or othe r, ove r t he w
_

w or d in i t s s e c ond me ani ng Now , an

.

E ngli s h man w ho c anno t us e t he wo rd b e li ef

w i t h out g e t t i ng c onfus e d an d i nv olv e d wi t h

t he t w o me ani ng s t o th e w or d t he ac t of
—

b e l ie vmg , and til e til i ng b e li e v e d e vid e n t ly—

m us t h av e a b e li e f wi th a bl ur or a bl ot ; and
h e is n ot e nt i t l e d t o re fut at i on , for his b e li e f
r e fut e s i t s e lf by i t s i n c oh e re ncy Mr H e rb e r t
. .

S p e nc e r s b e li e f is , on his ow n s h owi ng , of
’

t hi s ki n d It has a bl ur in one or b ot h
.

s e ns e s .

I n d e e d ,i t g e ne rally h app e ns t h at me n w ho

in a s t at e of d oub t ab out
w ord , h av e no
"

are a

cl e ar me ani ng t o it at al l , or not s uch a

m e ani ng as t h e i r fe llow me n c an at all acc e p t .

S o it is wi t h Mr S p e nc e r s b e li e f His b e li e f
.
’
.

i s s uch as c e as e s wi t h co ns ci ous ne s s , wh e re as
Engli s hm e n in g e ne ral me an by b e li e f s o me
-

t hi ng t h at w ould r e mai n t he s ame e v e n if

t h e y b e c am e unc ons ci ous Th e y me an a fi ri ng

.
Int ,£5
. T HE SCIE N CE or T RU T H . 11

b e li e ve d , as w e ll as t he me r e ac t of b e li e vi ng .

Th e y me an a t r ue t h ough t , as w e ll as t he
me re t rowi ng of it Th e y me an a s e lf
.

e xi s t e nt , s e lf c oh e re nt
-
t rut h Th e y me an
.

s om e t hi ng mor e t h an t h e co nfus e d an d s h all ow

dri ve l of adv anc e d think e rs on the s ubj e c t of

b e lie f .

S ome K n ow le dg e iT he P os t n
e x s ts .

lat e .
—
c onfus i on
T he and mu t ual p ol e mic of

t he w ar r i ng s y s t e ms of phil os ophy is , h ow

e v e r , if po s s ibl e , g re at e r t h an wh e n K an t

d e s c rib e d it as t he w arfare of s h adow s , lik e

t h at of t h e H e r oe s of t h e Valh all Th os e
a .

w h o h av e s ucc e e d e d as w e ll as t h os e w h o

p re c e d e d Kant , he w e ach oth e r i n pi e c e s

only t o b e i n a t wi n kli n g re un i t e d ,ag ai n t o

amus e t h e ms e l ve s and t h e w orld which l augh s

at t h e m i n o t h e r e q ually fat al , b ut blo odl e s s

and i nde 01s 1ve c on t e s t s Nor is t he ab s urdi t y

.

l e s s e ne d wh e n a phil os oph e r lik e S ir Willi am

H amil t o n ari s e s ,full of l e arni ng an d out of -

t he w ay r e adi n g , w ho un d e r t ak e s t o r ai s e or
-

r um phil os ophic al r e p ut at i ons b di t r ib u t i g

y s n

t he p al ms for ori g i nali t y i n n o ns e ns e ; or

awar di ng t h e p e nal t i e s due for t he li t e rary

 P HI L O SO P HY ; on, {Int , s . .

t h e ft lik e v al uabl e phil os ophic al

of t he

co mmodi t y He h as re s us ci t ate d Re id and .

ov e rwh e l me d P rofe s s ors Brow n an d Y oung

by de l l ve rmg th e m t o t he ave nge rs of P hilo

s ophic al t h e ft He hi ms e lf,al ong wi t h his .
”

di s t i ng ui s h e d di s cipl e M ans e l ,n ow awai t s t he

h e ro, q ualifi e d by s uffi ci e n t k nowl e dg e of
mat h e mat ic s ,t o e nt e r t he g rove s of Ac ad e mus ,
an d t o e n forc e t he r ul e of P l at o, an d c on

d e mn t h e m t o re ti re , and c ar ry t h e i r phil o
”
s oph y of t h e unc ondi t i one d t o t h os e w h o
‘

are wh olly i g n oran t of t h e mat h e mat ic s of

t he i n fi ni t e Origi nali ty is g re at , b u t T ru t h
.
1

I
Vi de Hamil ton s ’
Lec t . by M ans e l and Ve it c h,v ol . 11

App p 5 2 7 , fo li t of c ont adiction p o ing th

e ndix , . r
“
s r s r v e

p y ch ol ogical t h o y of th con dit ione d, which b t ay s

s e r e
”
e r

comp l t ign ora c of th math matic of infi nit

e e n e It i e e s es . s

t he a um d a
re ss lf id nt wh t
e s y math m tici n
se -
ev e a e ve r e a a

k now to b fal e , i ,th at n othi ng an b e g at t h an

s e s v z .
“
c re er

i nfi ni t t h t on e in finity can not b l a g t h n anoth

e a e r er a er

t h at an i nfi n i te n u mb
“
of q u an t it i c nn ot mak a fi ni t er es a e e

q u a n t i t y t h at an i n fi n i t e i “
o f s u c c s i v p ot n i o n se r e s e s e r e s s

b e n d d ; an d o on : i n h o t,it i cl a , cc o din g
”
c an n e ve r e e s s r s e r a r

t o u chs oni n g ,th at Z

r e as o,th n cie nt phil o oph e o o
en e a s r r s

p h i t , w
s a igh t ,an
s rd t h t t h g r yh o un d c an n e v e r o ea t ak e e v r e

t he h a ,an d A chill e re c ould n o take t h e t o toi

s ! e ve r ve r r se

P l ato, i n fo m d of mod rn mat h mat ic , w ould ce tai n ly

r e e e s r

ha ve u t ic ate d fo a t rm S i
r s William and h i di cipl t ill
r e r s s e

th y h de t u di d mat h m t ic mo
a s e d p ly M Man l e a s re ee a r . se

adopt s h i m t ig no n c of m th matic ,an d pe k of

’
s as e r s ra e a e s s a s

t he ab u dity of a g at e Bamp t on
”
t h an an infi ni te
“
s r re r .
—
Int .
,g T HE SC IE N CE or T R UT H . 13

is g re at e r We do not much w an t o rigi n

.
-s

ali t y on s ubj e c t s on which w e c an l e ar n p ro -a

b ably as much , or e ve n more ,from P l at o and

A ri s t otl e , th an w e c an from mo s t of t h e i r
s u cc e s s ors W e w ant a P os t ul at e i nd e e d ,and
.

acc u rat e r e as on i n g t h e re on ,for w e w an t T r ut h .

We w an t a p oi nt from which w e may move

t h e w orld of ig n oran c e an d folly But our .

d e mand , our P os t ul at e , m us t b e s ome thi ng

w hich e ve ryb ody b e li e ve s , an d which n ob ody

c an d e ny w ho t ak e s t he t r oubl e t o r e as on

at all It mus t b e s e lf e vid e nt t o e v e ry one ,

.
-

or i t c ann ot b e a univ e rs al p os t ul at e .

We all b e li e ve ,w e all as s ume i n the me re

ac t of r e a s on i ng , t h at s ome thi n e x i s ts : s ome
g
e

t hi ng w ort h our t roubl e t o di s c ov e r , e i t h e r t o

e s t abli s h or t o r e fut e T h at s ome thi ng ,t h at .

Lect .
,Note iii , and Note 32 to L c t
11,L e c t . If t h
. e . 11 . e se

h il o o h d d N w t on P i cipi f
’
“ ”

a
p p s a r
e rs a n
e ve r , e een a a e s r v s r

a L mma XI ,t h y w ou ld h
s e . fou n d a e of in fi ni t e av e se ri e s s

d mon t ate d ch i n fi nit l y g ate t h an th pr c din g on e

e s r ea e re r e e e .

Bu t thi id nt al o f om common a i th m tic,fo n t h e

s Is e v e ,
s r r e r I

t w o infi ni t i e I,2 ,3,4 ,t o fi

e se r nd 1,4 ,9, 16 , t o
s ,t h t a OC e

se con d infi n it i th q u a c f th fi t , n d t h e fo infi

e s e s re e rs a er re

n ite l y g e at th an t h
r fi t in fi ni t ,and t h e r i n o kin d
er e rs e e s

of ab u di ty in u pp o in g on
s r infinite t im in finite ly l
s s e e e ss

t h an n ot h r in fi n i te t i me
a e It d e pe n d e n t ir ly on h ow th . s e e

t im p a ee ss s .
 ru n os op nr ; on, [ ,s
In t.3 .

Unk now n S o me thi ng ,for th e p re s e nt ,w e mus t

c all kn ow le dg e , wo rt h m an s whil e
’
t o s e ar ch
for b y re as o n, Wh e t h e r It t urn out In t he e nd
to b e p os i tiv e Trut h , or an e q ually p os i t i ve
c e rtai nty , t he c e rtai nt y of nothi ng . We
t h e re fore only d e mand wh at al l as s ume , an d

n one c an d e ny, t h at s ome k n ow le d e ass i s ts

g .

Th at s h all b e our only p os t ul at e , and n one

c an re fus e t o g rant i t . K n ow le dg e d oe s e xi s t ,
and mus t b e s ough t for i n t he s pi ri t of t r ut h ,

wi th h umili ty .
 CH A P T E R I .

NU MB ERS .

( )
1 S ome lawman kn ow le dg e e x is ts .
“

M i nds ,T il i ng s , W or ds . Th os e w ho d are t o
d e ny t he e xi s t e nc e of k nowl e dge , c ont radic t
t h e ms e lv e s ; for t h e y as s e r t t h e i r k n owl e dg e

t h at n o k nowl e dg e e xi s t s ; which is ab s u r d

and s e lf c ont radic t o ry

-
. Th e re fo re , w e only
as s ume wh at e ve ry r at io nal b e i ng w h o s p e ak s

mus t g rant . T he P y rrhoms t mus t h ol d his

t ong ue , or co nt rad ic t hi ms e lf i n e ach as s e r

t i on of his d oub t .

Not only , h ow e ve r, in ans w e ri ng c avill e rs

an d s c e p t ic s , wh e t h e r on phil os ophy , sc i e n c e ,

or mat t e r of O pi ni on, b ut e ve n , al s o, for t he

s ati s fac t i on of our ow n mmds on t ho se s ub

16 P HILO SOP H Y ; on, 1 .

jec t s on w hich w e b e li e v e ou r O pi nions t o b e

m os t fix e d , it is d e s i rabl e s ome t i me s t o t e s t
t he acc ura c y of our t ho ugh t s b y t raci ng t h e m

t o t h e i r v e ry fi rs t and fun d am e nt al e l e me n t s ,

and, if p os s ibl e , t o d e mo ns t rat e t h at al l our

knowl e dg e h ang s b y li nk s , none of which c an

b e b rok e n, from s ome t r uth whi c h c an not b e
d e ni e d ,e xc e p t , i nd e e d ,by t h os e who are not
as h amed t o c ont radic t t h e ms e lv e s , or t o m ai n

t ai n t h e g re at e s t of al l ab s urdi t i e s , t hat c on

t radic t ory p rop os i t i ons may b ot h b e t r ue .

Wi th s uc h We c annot arg ue ; We c an only

re as on wi t h t h e re as onabl e . Now , t h e ve ry
m e ani ng of a p os t ul at e Cr fund ame nt al p ri n
“

Cip l e is , t h at i t is s uch as no re as onabl e b e Ing

c an d e ny . T o c all a c omplic at e d p rop os i t io n,
in vol vi ng fi ve or s ix t e rms of p hil os ophy or
s ci e nc e d oub t fu l in t he m me ani ng s , a o s tn
p
late , is a b url e s q ue upo n s ci e nc e , a nd a c on

t radic t ion in t e rms ,w o rt h y only of me n wh os e

t h oug ht s are al t og e t h e r i n co nfus i on ! We

h ave t h e re fore b e e n c ar e ful t o as s ume n ot hi ng
which any rat i onal b e i ng c an d eny For t he .

at t e mp t t o r e as on at all or t o s e e k for t r ut h
,

by dis c us s mn, as s ume s not only t he p os s i

C . T HE SCIE N CE or T RU TH . 17

b ility , b ut the fac t ,t he full b e li e f of k now

l e dg e e xi s t i ng among s t manki n d , e ve n t h ough
it may t urn out t o b e t he k n owl e dg e t h at
n ot hi ng c an b e k n own a bl ank n e g at i on
, .

T he e xi s t e nc e of k nowl e dg e , t h e re fore ,
b e i ng ad mi t te d , th r e e t hi ngs , of n e c e s s i ty ,
foll ow .

l s t Th at a t hi ng abl e t o k n ow e xi s t s , or a
.
-

mi n d .

9u d Th at a t hi ng fi t t o b e k now n e xi s t s ,
.

or a t hi ng .

3 rd Th at a wo r d t o e xp re s s t h e k n owl e dg e
.

e xi s ts ,or a w or d or S ig n .

Me n c ann ot p o s s ibly h av e an k n owl e d e

y g
wh at e ve r w i t h out the e xi s t e nc e of mi nd s ,
w ord s , and thi ng s , t o b e k now n ; or as s uming
t he fe w e s t p os s ibl e e xi s t e nc e s , ac c or di ng t o
‘

wh at i s c all e d t he l aw of p arcimony ,t he e xi s t -
g

e nc e of k n owl e dg e e nt i t l e s us t o as s um e t he

e xi s te n c e of t h r e e t hi ng s as n e c e s s arily p rov e d

t h e reby ,which t hi ng s , for t h e p re s e n t ,w e c all

a mi n d,a thi ng ,an d a w or d .

Th e s e t h re e thi ng s , ob s e rv e ,ar e not p ar t s of

k nowl e dg e , b ut f ac tor s of k nowl e dg e T h e .

mi nd,t he t hi ng , or t he w ord , are n ot p ar t s ,

18 P HIL OS OP HY OR , [ o I,
. 2 .

b ut i n me
so m anne r mut ually ac t and re ac t ,
an d ar e c omplic at e d t og e t h e r , s o as t o c om

p ound or mak e up wh at w e all c all k now

l e dg e Th e y ar e f ac t or s ,n ot p art s Thi s is
. .

t he t rue an d s ci e nt ific name for t h e m, as w e

s h all h e re aft e r p rov e more s t ric t ly , p os t

Ch ap t e r IV .

/ l l e c tom~
( )
2 T tr e e c as s e s
f j
o o Th e re —

ar e t h re e cl as s e s of obj e c t o rs t o t hi s t r ut h .

l s t T he d og mat ic al mat e ri ali s t , w ho s ay s

.

know l e dg e i mpli e s only one t hi ng b e si d e s

w or d s , viz , matte a, w hich know s i t s e lf,and
.
'

t h e r e s id ue of matt e r wi t h or wi t h out c e r
‘

t a n ty
i .

2 nd T he d og mat ic al id e ali s t , who al s o s ay s

.

knowl e dg e i mpli e s onl y one t hi ng b e s id e s

w ord s , viz , mi nd , and th at t he w orld is a
.

m e ntal ill us i on p e r mi t te d by the One fi rs t

Mi nd t o e d uc at e ot h e r mi nd s .

3 r d T he ordi nary ant it he s is ,or oly e c t s ub

'
~

j e c t phil o s oph e rs , who h ave n o v e ry fix e d

c p l mons abo u t w ord s , or t h e p ar t t h e y t ak e

i n k nowl e dg e an d phil os ophy Th e i r lan

.

g uag e s ome t i me s ad mi ts and s ome ti me s d e ni e s

the t rut h w e are as s e r t i ng , viz , t h at k now . -
 ‘S

c . L, T HE SC IE NC E O F T RU TH.

l e dg e is n e c e s s arily c omp os e d of t h re e fac t o rs .

Th e y are c onfus e d and c onfus i ng , an d t he

re s ul t of t h e i r phil os ophy is ne ve r e ndi ng -

ve rb al w arfar e . G re at and g ood me n m any

of t h e m are , an d oft e n di mly p e rc e i ve t h e

t r ut h ; b u t s o far as my li mi t e d r e adi ng e x

t e nd s , n e ve r h old t he t r ut h cl e ar an d fas t ;

t h at a w or d i s a n e c e s s ar , and n ot a me re
y
c as ual or accid e ntal f ac tor in k nowl e dg e .

T he fi rs t of t h e s e t h r e e cl as s e s of obj e c t ors ,
t he mat e ri ali s t , e n d s i n at h e i s m ; t h e s e c ond ,

th e id e alis t , e n d s in p an t h e i s m ; and t h e t hi r d

cl as s e nd s i n c onfus i on an d l og omachy We .

s h all c on s id e r t h e m all i n t h e n e x t ch ap t e r .
”

T he c ons tr uc ti on o f N umb e r s . B—
ut t o

p roc e e d wi t h t he c ons t ruc ti on of t rut h on t hi s

s ubj e c t : I s ay , t h at t he fi rs t and fun d a
me n tal l aw of all s ci e nc e ,or acc urat e k now
l e dg e ,is wh at c avill e rs and s c e p t ic s will mos t
re adil a d mi t ,f or t h e y g e ne rally b oas t of t he
y
r ul e as i i t w as t h e i r e xcl us i ve p os s e s s i on ,
f
viz n ot t o ad mi t more th an is n e c e s s ary , i e , . .

n ot t o adm i t t h at t hi ng s are diffe r e n t unt il

t h e i r di ffe re nc e is d e mo ns t rat e d and cl e arly

s h ow n .T he s e co nd r ul e is , t o ad mi t our
20 SP HY
P HILO SC O R, ( 0 . I, 3. .

fe ll ow me n, wi t h w ho m w e re as on ,t o mak e
and us e s uch w or d s and s ig n s , di s t i nc t and

s e p arat e ,as will b e s t e x l ai n t h e i r me ani ng s

p .

O ur fi rs t s t e p , t h e re fore , W i t h t he t h re e
t hi ng s p rov e d t o e xi s t b y me ans of our fi rs t

p os t ul at e , mus t b e t o as s ume s ig ns e x ac tly

alik e for all t h r e e We do not k now , or are
.

not ag re e d up on, t he di ffe re nc e b e t we e n

mi nd s ,t hi ng s ,and w ord s ,or b e t w e e n a mi n d ,
a t hi ng , and a w or d W e as s ume ourse l ve s
.

ig n orant t o s at i s fy all s c e p t ic s , or t o s at i s fy
our ow n mi n d s , t h at w e are re as oni ng acc u

rat e l
y ; a n d w e s e t d o w n t h e t h r e e t hi ng s

t h us ,an d giv e t h e m lik e n ame s or s ig n s

1 m in d
1 1 mi nd t hi ng

1 1 1 r e
mi nd t hi ng w ord t h re e
Th us us i ng the ordi nary s ig ns of uni ty ,
e q uali t y , an d addi t i on , as b e i ng cl e a re r and

s h or t e r t h an t h e wo r d s t h e y e xp re s s .But in
t hi s p r oc e e di ng w e are only s e l e c t i ng n e w an d

cl e are r S i g ns and s y mb ol s , or w ord s for t he

t h r e e t h i ng s al re ady d e d uc e d from our fi rs t

po s t ul ate : I f t he re ad e r pl e as e s s o to c all i t ,
 T HE SCIENCE on T RU TH . 1

w e ar e m e re ly s pi nni ng ne w w or ds and ne w
s ig n s . H avi ng d e d uc e d t h e e xi s t e nc e of t h re e
di s ti nc t t hi ng s , of which, or of who s e nat ure ,
e xc e p t t h e i r s e p ar at e di s t i nc t ne s s , w e k n ow

n o t hi n g , w e have c all e d t h e m by th e s ame

name , viz , u ni ts , an d as s u me d s ig ns e x ac t ly
.

alik e for th e m al l , an d h ave gi ve n th e n ame

of one t o t h e fi rs t ; of tw o t o t h e fi rs t an d
.

s e c ond ; and of t h e e t o t he wh ol e But .

havi ng c om me nc e d in t his w ay by one , t w o,

t h r e e , s pi nn i ng or addi ng lik e w or d s or s ig n s

c all e d uni t s , w e c an go on wi th t he s ame

p roc e s s for e ve r gi vi ng a ne w name on the
,

addi t i on of e ve ry ne w u ni t , and t o di s t i ng ui s h

al l t h e s e wor d s t h us , me ani ng s um s of l ik e

s ig ns or unit s , w e c all t h e m

N UMB ERS .

If t he re a de r v e r my s tifi e d his mi nd ,
h as e

or p uz z l e d hi s b rai n ab out ab s t rac t i on , or

uni ve rs al an d g e ne ral t e r ms , w e t rus t t h at w e

ar e g r ad ually di s p e lli n g all my s t e ry by t h us

d e mo ns t rat i ng,t o e y e an d e ar,t h at ab s t rae

t i on is n ot , as mos t phil os op he rs s upp os e an d

al l e g e ,s ubs e ue nt t o k n owl e dg e , b ut th at i t
q
 2 PHILOSOPHY ; OR , 4 .

is , i n fac t, p r e vi ous t o knowl e dg e T he t rue

.

c aus e of ab s t rac t i on 1s i g n or anc e I ns t e ad of

.

t h e mi nd fi r s t p e rc e w mg and k n ow mg a li ke

n e s s , and t h e n gi vi n g a g e ne ral n am e , or

un i ve r s al t e rm, t o t h e c lass of lik e t hi ng s , th e

t r ut h more r op e rly ma b aid t o b t h at

p y e s e ,

it i s t h e ab s e nc e of acc urat e k nowl e dg e in

t h e mi n d t h at c aus e s man t o us e g e n e ral

t e r ms . B e i ng ign orant of t h e ir di ffe re nc e s ,

or not cl e arly p e rc e ivi ng t h e i r di ffe re n c e s ,
-

w e c all t he t hi ng s by t h e s ame n ame ,an d i t

i s righ t an d p r op e r s o t o do . For it is t he
fi rs t s t e p in s ci e nc e t o ad mi t ou r ig noranc e ,
an d t o as s u me t hi ng s t o b e alik e un t il t h e i r

di ffe re nc e s ar e d e mo ns t rat e d And th os e

.

t hi ng s wh os e diffe re nc e s w e c an n ot d e m on

s t rat e , w e c all by t he s ame name

Uni ty , E qu ali ty , Addi ti on, Cavi lli ng .

P e rh ap s some c avill e r may s t ill b e found

t o s ay , Wh at righ t h av e y ou t o as s ume t h at

o u c an ad d one t o on e t o mak e t w o, or one

y
t o t w o t o mak e t h r e e ? wh at is thi s uni ty ,
addi t i on ,and e q uali t
y which y ou t h u s a s s ume

q ui e tly wi th out t h e i r b e i ng g rant e d ?‘

But
t h e pl ai n ans w e r t o t hi s , if t he r e ad e r has t he
c . T HE SCIE NCE or T RU T H . 23

p at i e nc e to r e ad it ,i s ,t h at I am n ot as s umi ng
a ny t hi ng b ut t he righ t t o s p e ak and w ri t e
.

wi t h acc uracy or s ci e nt ific p re ci s i on I am .

only d oi ng w hat t he c avill e r i s hi ms e lf d oi ng ,

addi ng w or d t o w or d , an d S ig n t o S ig n , t o

e xp re s s m m n i ng I m ak m un i t s e q ual ,
y e a . e y
and as I b uild up my e q ual s ig ns an d w or d s

t o p r e ve n t mi s t ak e h e re aft e r , I gi ve a n e w

n am e t o e ach b un dl e of w or d s at e v e ry s t ag e .

I b e gi n wi t h a w ord,a Sig n ,a uni t , an d g o on

maki ng and addi ng lik e e q ual uni t s , gi vi ng a
ne w n ame on t he addi t i on of e ach uni t ; a nd

as t o t he li k e ne s s , i t i s n ot any t hi ng ab s t rac t ,

b ut t he ve ry s i mpl e an d c on c re t e e ffort m ad e
by the mouth , p e n, or p r i n te rs ink , of po or
’

ig norant human nat ure n ot y e t c ap abl e of

”
ad vanc e d t hi nki ng , an d n ot e t po s s e s s e d
y
of t he ad vanc e d l ogic and philo s oph y at p re

s e n t r amp an t i n W e s t mi ns t e r . No man c an
d e ny us t he righ t t o mak e s ig ns as lik e as p os
s ibl e , or t o gi ve a ne w name t o e ach b un dl e .

H avi ng , h ow e ve r, p os s e s s e d ours e l ve s
t h ank s b e t o God,of a fi rm b e li e f in On e U n i t

i n t h e b e gi n n i n g ,w e h ave t h e n c e s t ric tly de

d uc e d b y me ans o f our r e as o n titr e e uni ts a s
Q4 PHILOSOPHY ; OR , § 5 .

it s ne c e s s ary c omp one nt f ac tor s , not p ar ts

b ut c omplic at o rs or fac t ors . Of e ac h 0 1
which , and i t s nat ure in our p re s e nt s tag e of
h umili t y , w e c onfe s s our s e lve s wh olly ig no
rant . But h avi ng mad e an d g ot t h re e fro m t wo
by addi ng on e , w e g e t four from t h re e in the
s ame w a , an d s o co ns t r uc t ou r n umb e r s , on
y
t he bi n ary q ui nary d e ci mal , d uod e ci mal , or

any othe r s y s t e m, un t il our p ap e r or p at i e nc e

is e nd e d ,and t he wh ol e of s y mb olic ari th me tic

s t an d s d e ve l op e d b e fo re us. For thi s ,w e b e g
t o r e fe r th e phil os ophic re ad e r t o any i nt e ll i

g e n t w ri t e r on ari th me tic We thus have g ot

.
‘

a v ol ume full of l ik e w or ds or lik e sig ns ;

n u mb e r s , in w hich t he lik e n e s s is n ot ab s t rac t

b ut c onc re t e , b e i ng as g re at a l ik e ne s s as
p ap e r and p r i nt e rs ink c an p rod uc e in t w o
’

u nit s ; wh os e ac t ual difib r e nc e s , if any , w e

ab s t rac t and di s re g ar d ,n ot by k nowl e dge and
phil os ophy , b ut by ignoranc e , i e , only b e. .

c aus e w e c annot s e e , p e rc e i ve ,or de mo ns t rat e

t h e i r di ffe re nc e s
.

M r M i ll,an d Numbe r s i n tb e Abs tr ac t

.
‘

-
P lai n , di s g us t i ngl y pl ai n an d t ri t e , as all
thi s m us t app e ar t o any b rai n n et addl e d by
C . T HE SCIENCE OF TR U T H . Q5

mod e rn c onc re te mate ri ali s tic phil os ophy ,

n e ve r t h e l e s s a g re at l ogici an , one t o wh om al l

th e ot h e r ad van c e d t hi nk e rs at W e s t mi ns t e r

how t he h e ad wi t h re ve re nc e (an d w e al s o, l e t
us s a , r e ve re n c e h on e s t i n t e ll e c t , h ow e ve r
y
much in e rror ) , d e n i e s al t og e t h e r wh at s e e ms
t o us s o v e ry cl e ar an d manife s t . He ad mi t s
t h e e xi s t e n c e of k now l e dg e , he ad mi t s t h e

e xi s t e n c e of mi n d s ,t hi ng s ,an d w or d s ; b ut h e

d e ni e s t he e xi s te nc e of n umb e rs in t he ah
s t rac t . Un d e r an app ar e n t c an d our , and t oo
g re at re adi ne s s t o ad mi t wh at a l ogi ci an
s h ould p r ove , he s e e ms t o u s t o c on c e al a

l urki ng c onfus i on of t h ough t which t e n d s t o

c onfoun d al l k n owl e dg e , and t o re n d e r t r ut h
i t s e lf d ubi ous ; He has not mad e u p his ow n
mi nd , an d t h e re fore , as w e i nt e n d t o S h ow ,
c on t radic t s hi ms e lf on t he q ue s t i on, wh e t h e r
a t rue c onc e p t i on p re s e n t in our i nte ll e c t ,
.
”

i s or is n ot a t hi ng ,an e xi s t i ng thi n g ,an e xi s t

‘

e nc e . He s ay s , e vid e nt ly in doub t , Th e re
_

s e e ms a ki n d of c on t radic t i on i n u s i n g s uch

an e xp re s s i on as t h at on e t b i n
g I S m e r e ly an

T hi s s e e mi ng
” 1
at tr i b u t e of an ot h e r t hi ng .

1
Mil l
’
s L ogi c , i ,p 5 1,4th E di ti o
“
. . n .

C
96 PH ILOSOPHY ; OR , C
[ t 5

c ont radic t io n , t o Mr M ill s mi nd ,i s t urne d

.
’

i nt o ac t ual c ont radic t i on whe n he c ome s t o

c o ns id e r n umb e rs ,li ne s, s urfac e s , &c AS t o .

numb e r s ,he s ay s , All n u mb e rs mus t b e n um

b e rs of s om e t hi ng ; t/i e r e c an b e n o s uc h t hi n
g
as nu mbe r s i n the abs tr ac t . T e n mus t me an
te n b odi e s ,or t e n s ound s ,or t e n b e at ing s of t he
p ul s e.
” 1
We are not t old why te n s h ould not
me an wh at e ve ry b od y k nows it me ans ,te n uni ts
an d b e y on d t hi s me r e as s e r t i on,and t he an al ogy

of ari t h me t ic t o g e ome t ry , which I will afte r

w ard s c ons id e r , no p roof is giv e n of t hi s

d oc t ri ne ,and t he auth or s wh ol e wo rk is a dis
’

p roof of i t ,for it is full of s i mil ar ab s t rac ti ons

j us t ly c all e d t hi ng s . Ca n t h e r e b e an ab s t rac t

b ody , or an ab s t rac t man , or an ab s t rac t l ord

mayo r is Mr Mill Mar t i n us Sc rib b l e r us , or
? .

hi ms e lf 2 3 Law s ,
” ”
c aus e s , a t t rib ut e s ,“ ”

” ”
q uali t i e s , r e l at i ons , s ucc e s s i ons ,
39

u e n c e s, an d many ot h e r ab s t rac t i ons , are

q
fre e ly d e al t wi t h and i ns i s t e d on as thi ng s
t h e m s e l ve s in Mr Mill s ow n w or k ; b ut
’ '

numb e rs and g e ome t rl c al ab s t rac t i ons ,mat h e

mat ic al li ne s , fig ure s ,s urfac e s ,are di s mi s s e d

to the re gi on of non e n t i t i e s ; Mr Mill s phi .
’

‘
l‘
Log i c , ol i ,p 28 3
v . . . ,
 T HE SCIENCE OF T RU TH . Q7

l os op hy t e nd s t o p r ove th at law and c aus e are

id e n tic al S upp os e w e d e al t wi t h him as he

.

d e al s w i t h mat h e matici ans , and s ai d, Wh at

are l aw s ?
“
All l aws mus t b e l aw s abo ut
s o me t hi ng : t h e re c an b e no s uch t hi ng as

l aw s in t he ab s trac t .
”
Wh at is a l aw in the
ab s t rac t ? N othi ng . Wh at t h e n is a l aw
in t he c onc re t e ? Oh ! i t is a r ul e l aid d ow n
by a s up e r i or, or any oth e r d e fi ni t i on y ou
pl e as e W e ll ,and a numb e r i n the c on c re te ,
.

if y ou p le as e to c all i t s o, is a b undl e of
uni t s , mar k s , or w or d s , or S ig ns c alc ul at e d

by an ari th me t ici an Why one S ho uld b e an

.

e xi s t e n c e , an d th e ot h e r n ot , in Mr Mill s
’
.

phil os ophy and l ogic ,p as s e s al l un d e rs t andi ng ,

an d c e r t ai nly Mr . Mill has non e xpl ai ne d .

He s ay s th at g e ome t ric al ab s t rac t i ons as

d e fi ne d by g e om e t e rs are wh olly i nc on
“

”
c e iva b l e , an d ar e t h e re fore n othi ng s On
1
.

ot h e r oc c aSIons he is s e ve re on phil os oph e rs

i n g e ne ral , and on I s aac N e w t on and D r .

Wh e we ll in p ar tic ul ar,for p r e s umi ng t o arg ue

from i nco nc e i vabili ty , b ut in ord e r t o aboli s h
mat he m at ic al ab s t rac t io ns , it s e e ms t o b e a
1 “
L og ic , val ,p 25 4
. i . .
 8 P HILO SO P EL
Y ; OR , [ 0 . 6 .

mod e of l ogic n ot a l t og e t h e r bj e c tio nabl e

o

to Mr : Mill .

A b s tr ac ti on , Induc ti on , Caus ati on ,

Numb e r s ,( Sm —
But l e t h e ar w h at he s ay s
us

ab out A b s t rac t i on . Ab s t rac ti on i s t he

fou nd at i on of all t h e c ont rol w e c an e x e r ci se

ove r t he op e r at i on s of our ow n mi nd s ; t he .

p ow e r, wh e n a p e r c ep ti on 18 p re s e nt t o our
s e n s e s , or a c on c e ti on t o our i n t e ll e c t s , of
p
at t e ndi n g t o a p ar t only of t h at p e rc e p t i on
” 1
or c on c e p t i on , i ns t e ad of t h e wh ol e But .

wh at is t he re s ul t of t hi s p ow e r 2 wh at is t he
e ffe c t of t hi s o e r ati on ?
p H as i t n o re s ul t or

n o e ffe c t ? Can a p ow e r op e rat e and e nd i n

p rod uci ng n ot hi ng ? W hy may not I , if I
h ave a p e rc e p t i on or c onc e p t i on of a mi nd ,
a t hi ng ,an d a w ord , op e rat e by t hi s me n t al

o w r and ab s t rac t all t h e i r k now o

p e n r nu

k now n di ffe re n c e s , and at t e nd only t o th e i r

i ndi vid ual di s ti n c tne s s or uni ty ,and c all th e m
t h re e un i t s , or t b r e e f T he w or d th r e e 1s a
’
s

v e ry g ood and cl e ar ab s t rac t t e rm i i

”

; t s a

nu mb e r i n t he ab s t rac t , a g e n e r al name , a

uni v e rs al w ord , me ani n g al l t h e uni t s i n t h re e ;

1
L ogic, ol ,p 2 8 3
v . I
. . .
C . 1,
. T HE SCIENCE OF T RU T H . 29

j us t as man, or manki n d , me ans al l t he

u ni t s of manki n d , by ab s t rac t i ng al l t h e i r i n

di vid ual di ffe re nc e s T o b e s ure , Mr Mill

. .

t e ll s us t h at p r op e r n ame s , or g e ne ral t e r ms ,
”l
h av e s t ric t ly s p e ak i ng , n o s ig nific at i on
“
.

Wh e n,for e x ampl e , h owe ve r, Mr Mill s ay s , .

“
me n re ad the s ac re d b ook s of t h e i r re ligio n , ”2

& c , d oe s he me an not hi ng by t he ab s t rac t

.

t e rm me n ”
? h as his w or d , in s t ric t ne s s , no
s i n ifi c at i on 5
g H e d oe s n ot t e ll us t h e di ffe r
’

e nc e b e t w e e n s tr i c t s p e aki ng an d oth e r s p e ak

i ng , or h ow t o k now wh e n he i s S p e aki ng
s t ric t ly , an d wh e n n ot Of c ours e w e c annot
.

di vi ne wh e n Mr Mill s w ord s his g e ne r al

.
’
—

t e r ms h ave s ome s ign ific at io n , and wh e n,

—

”
s t ric t ly s p e aki ng , n ot All h is w ord s are
“
.

g e ne ral t e rms ; he d oe s n ot s p e ak wi t h s i ng u
l ars , b ut wi t h uni ve rs al s , lik e t he re s t of t he
w orld We c ann o t mak e a s e nte nc e out of
.

s i ng ul ars , for w e m us t alw ay s , at l e as t , h ave

t he c o u la, in t h s e ns e o f e xi s t e nc e o
p e r

e q uali t , as i n,Joh n i s not H arry ; or , t hi s is

y
T om But wh e n w ri t i ng a l ogic al wo rk w e
.

t hi nk t he aut h or s ho uld al w ay s , as far as

L ogic , vOl i ,p 36
“
. . . l b ,vol L,p 339
»
2
. 1 . .
 O PHILOSOPHY OR, [ C
. L, 6 .

p os s ibl e , s p e ak s t ric tly But i n l ogic w e .

-

c anno t p e rmi t a w ri t e r t o s hift his g ro und

“

b e t we e n s t ric t s p e aki ng and ot h e r s p e aki ng ,

e s p e ci ally one w h o s ay s h is w ord s s h all alw ay s

b e t he na me s ‘
of 5 thi ng s the ml s e ve s .
” 1

In s ho rt , Mr Mill s d e ni al of t he t r ut h and
.
’

e xi s t e nc e of mat h e mat ic al ab s t r ac t i ons ,i s a

m e re l ogic al s h uffl e ab out abs tr ac t w or ds ,

which Mr Mill mak e s t o me an t hi ng s t h e m
.

”
s e l ve s wh e n he ch oos e s ,and wh e n he pre fe rs
anot h e r w a of l o oki ng at t h e m, he m ak e s
y
t h e mt o h ave s t ric t ly s p e aki n g ,no S ig nifi

c ati on ! But Mr M ill s b ad l ogic on t hi s

”
.
’

s ubj e c t may b e s h ow n, i n d ue for m, by an

ot h e r c ons id e rat i on , viz , t h at he hi ms e lf de

.

r i ve s t h e c e r t ai n t y of n u mb e r s from t he c e r

t ai n t y of i nd uc ti on p e r e nu me r ati one m s i m
“

em
” ”
p l i c . T he
“
p ri nc i pl e s of n u mb e rs , h e

s ay s , ar e d uly and s at i s fac t orily p ro ve d b

y
t h at me t hod al on e , n or a re t h e y s u s c e p t ibl e

But what is e nume r a

” 2
of any o t h e r p r o of .

t i on , b ut n umb e rs ? T he s i mpl e s t ki nd of in,

d uc ti on r e q ui re s , t h e re fore , n umb e rs , i e , . .

e n ume r ati on ; s o t h e p roof of n u mb e rs i s by

1 “
L ogic, ol p 2 4v . . Ib , ol
. p 99 2
. v . .
C . T HE SCIENCE OF T RU T H . 31

i nd uc t io n, which p re vi ous ly s upp os e s e nume

rat io n or numb e rs O ur c e rt ai n ty in n um
b e rs is our c e rt ai nty by e n ume rat i on
A phil os oph e r mus t c e rt ai nly h av e arri ve d
at h is wi t s e n d wh e n h e i s r e d uc e d t o s uch
’

l ogic as t hi s , and wh e n ,al s o, t o s upp ort his

s y s t e m he is r e d uc e d t o mak e t h e t r ut h and

c e rt ai nty of t he p rop os i t i ons , 1 a l , or

1 l 9,d e p e n d up on wh at he is oblig e d
t o c all t he l oos e an d u nc e r t ai n mod e of in

d uc t i on p e r e nume r ati one m s imp li c e m, an d ”

u p on w h at he c all s t he u niformi t y in t h e s uc

c e s s i on of e ve n t s , ot h e rwi s e c all e d t he l aw of

Ca us at i on Mr M ill as s ume s t h e s e t w o p ri n
.

c ip l e s ,viz ,i nd uc t i on an d c aus at i on , as fun d a

.

me ntal t rut h s ,s e lf e vid e nt ,and h ang s th e re on

t he t r ut h s t h at 1 1 and 1 1 9 ! j us t

as if e nu me ra t i on and s ucc e s s i on did n ot

al re ady i mply n umb e r s , as t r ue co n c e p t i on s

e xi s t i n g in t h e mi n d p r e vi ous t o any i n d uc t i on

wh at e ve r, and p re vi ous t o any t ho ugh t of l aw

or s ucc e s s i on wh at e ve r Ar e w e t o c all t hi s

g l a rIn
g p e t i t i o p r i n c i i i l ogic
p
? C an ab s ur di t y

re ach a more s u bli me h e igh t t h an t o m ak e a

ch ai n s t ro ng e r th an it s w e ak e s t li nk , or t o
 32 PHILOSO P HY OR , [c . L. 5 7

make ci e nt ific ul t i mate ly re s t up on t he

t he s
”
uns c ie nt ifi c ? T he forc e of l ogi c al folly c an
1

n o fur th e r o
g , a n d s o t h e a ut h or s t an d s
p r e

e mi ne nt , t h e ac i le r i nc e s of all adv an c e d
f p p
t hi nk e rs i n E ngl and Is t he ad vanc e for
‘

w ard s or b ackward s ?

It is , t h e re fore , w e s ay , s i mply ab s urd and

s e lf c on t radic t ory t o mak e n umb e rs , or t h e
-

t rut h of n umb e r s , d e p e n d on i nd uc t io n and

c aus ati on, b e c aus e i nd uc t i on p re vio usly im

pli e s and s upp os e s n umb e rs ,i e ,e nume r ati on . .

and c aus at i on al s o p re vi ous ly i mpli e s n um

b e rs , or s uc c e s s i on , at l e as t t w o Ind uc t i on .

an d c aus at i on ma b art i ally found e d on

y e
p
n umb e rs , b ut n ot n umb e rs on i nd uc t i on or

c aus at i on ; numb e rs mus t b e fir s t , i nd uc t i on

a nd c aus at i on ma f o ll ow a ft
y e r .

(7 ) Ge ome tr i c al A bs tr ac ti ons ,L i ne s , S ur
But th e ro b ab l y mo re
f ac e s —
r e ad e rp h as had
fl

t h an e n ough ab out n u mb e rs W h at Sh all w e

.

sa
y ab o ut poi n t s , li ne s , an d s ur fa c e s , a s d e

fi ne d by g e ome t e rs ,
”
wh olly i nc onc e i vabl e
t o Mr Mill ?
. H e re he re ve l s mall t he glo ri e s
“
L ogic, v ol . n .
,p . 102 .
 C 1,
. . T HE SCIENCE OF T RU T H . 33

of c onc re t e or mat e ri ali s tic t hi nki ng ,as n ow

p re val e nt at We s t mms t e r .

We , of c ours e , s ay th at the ab s t rac t c on

c e t ion s of g e ome t e rs are t rue fac t s , t hi ng s
p
ac t ually e xi s t i ng i n nat ure , s o far as the

h uman mi nd c an j udg e of e x t e rnal t hi ng s .

H e re , as b e fore ,Mr Mill b e gi ns at th e w ron g

.

e nd of t h e s t ick an d s t ick s t h e re He s ay s , .

ou r id e a of a p oi nt i s S i mply ou r id e a of a

mi ni mum c is i b i k But g e ome t e rs , wh e n

.
”

ch all e ng e d ab out t h e i r ab s t rac ti ons , as t h e y

h av e b e e n by s e lf p uzzl e d l ogici ans for
-

y e ars , b e gi n at the ot h e r e nd ,vi z ,t he i mp e ne .

tr ab i li tg o f m atte r M r Mill hi ms e lf ad mi t s
. .

t hi s as a c onc r e t e fac t , ve ry s e n s ibl e as far as

our s e ns e s c arry us ; w e c ann ot p os s ibly g e t

b e y on d t he s urfac e of e x t e r nal mat t e r A .

g e ome t e r w ho k now s his b us i ne s s b e gi ns wi t h

a s urfac e Wh at is a s u rfac e has i t any
1 ?
.

t hick ne s s ,or non e ? Man arri ve s at a s urfac e

an d c an fe e l it an d s e e it , b ut h e n e v e r e t
y
fe l t t he t hick ne s s of a s urfac e ; e ve n i n liq uid s
an d g as e s t h os e t hi ng s t h at h ave an unp l e a
—

1
Vid e n ote to E lr in g t on s
’
E clid, w hich
u is ,or w as ,
t h e t e xt b ook in D ubl i n ,and t h e r e fe r e n c e s t h e re .

0 5
34 P H ILOSOPHY ; O R, § 7 .

sant re s e mbl anc e t o wh at unad vanc e d t hi nk e rs

c all p ure mi nd or sp i r i t,and which p e ne t rat e
o rgani s e d b odi e s wi th g re at facili ty and fre e
dom, and which s e e m t o p e ne t rat e us , t h oug h
w e c ann ot p e ne trat e t h e i r s urfac e s .

We s ay , t h e re fo re , th at man is for e ve r
s t opp e d at t h e s urfac e of mat t e r b y h is s e ns e s .

Th ough one s e ns e , t he s e ns e of S igh t , c an s e e

t h rough t he s urfac e of t rans p are nt and l u s

t rous b odi e s ,y e t man c ann ot s e e t he thi c kn e s s

of t he s urfac e Ligh t c an g e t b e y on d t he s ur
.

fac e , b ut man c annot H e re ,t h e n ,is a matt e r

.

of fac t , a ph e n ome n on of c onc re t e s e ns e , a

co nc re t e fix s uffici e nt t o h old Mr Mill and .

his foll ow e rs for e ve r

, I f t h e y e ve r t ouch e d
.

an u rfac e b ut s urfac e wi t ho ut t hick ne s s , w e

y s

wi s h t h e y w ould s h ow ge ome t e rs how t o d o

i t , for no man t h at w e k now of e ve r did S O
b e fore Mr Mill mus t , t h e re fore , e i th e r b e
. .

li e ve his s e ns e s ,as g e ome t e rs do,an d h ave d one

from t he d ay s of Py t h ago ras d ow nward s , at
l e as t ,an d mus t s ay th at s urfac e has no thick
'

n e s s ; o r, i n s ho rt , he mus t di s b e li e ve his i n

c onc e i vabili ty ! H avi ng o nc e g ot a s urfac e

wi t h out t hick ne s s , w e h av e for its bo und ary ,
 T HE S CIE NCE OF T R UT H . 35

of c ours e , a li ne ne c e s s arily b e i ng l e ng t h
wi th out b re ad t h ; and a poi nt , t h e bo und ary
of a li ne , ne c e s s ar ily w it h out p ar t s or di me n a

s i ons of any ki nd . E i t h e r, th e re fore , Mr .

Mill mus t h old t o his d oc t ri n e and di s b e li e ve

his s e ns e s , or c ond e s c e nd to c onc e i ve p oi nt s ,
li ne s , and s urfac e s , as al l w e ll i ns t ruc t e d
m
/

o t rs have d one for t w o t h ou s an d e ars

g e e e y
and more . Rat h e r h umili at i n g , n o d oub t , t o
t hi nk wi t h P l at o and N e w t on ; al mos t as b ad

as b e li e vi ng ,lik e N e w t on , in wh at Mr .He r
b e rt S p e nc e r c all s t he He b re w my th ! Mr ”
.

Mill , i n d e e d , who s e e ms t h oroughly h one s t ,

al t h ough I t ak e l e ave t o s ay t h or oug hly
w or d p uzzl e d and s e lf c on tradic t ory on t hi s
- -

s ubj e c t , s e e ms hi ms e lf t o hav e fe l t a li t t l e of

the ab s ur di t y of his philos ophy wh e n he was

as k e d wh e t h e r his c onc r e t e t hick s urfac e h ad

an i ns i de as w e ll as an ou ts i de ! But li ke all
w ors hipp e rs O f id ol s , h avi ng man ufac t ure d h is
id ol viz , c e r tai n ty or tr ut h by i n duc ti o n
—
.
;

he p re fe rs t o s wall ow t he ab s ur di t y rat h e r
t h an t o gi v e up hi s c r e e d . Mr M ill , i n d e e d
.

has s aid t h at a c on di t io n i s i mpli e d in al l p r o

p os i t io ns co nc e rni ng n umb e rs ,viz ,t h at
.
 —

36 PHILOSO P HY ; OR ,

which of c ours e is t rue ,b ut I h av e d e mo n

s t rat e d t h at thi s co n di t io n i s n ot impo s e d as

a c ondi t i on of k nowl e dg e or t r ut h , b ut is t h e

c ondi t i on of ig noranc e , a p r i or z t he c ondi

t i on is p e rforme d i n t h e ac t of p e rc e p t i on, w e

mak e t he e q uali t y .
W h e n i
'

g n or an t of t he

nat u re of t hi ng s , t h e mi nd , p e rc e i vi ng t hi ng s

t o b e t w o an d n ot one ,i s b oun d t o t re at t h e m

as al t og e t h e r alik e an d al t og e t h e r e q ual ; for

it k now s no d i ffe re nc e un t il t h e i r di ffe re nc e

and i ne q uali t y ar e d e mons t rat e d , an d t hi s by

t he fi rs t and fundame nt al l aw bo t h of s ci e nc e
-

a nd of s c e t l ms m, viz , t o as s ume as li t t l e as
p .

p os s ibl e , and n othi ng t h at is n ot p rovab le

from th e fi rs t as s u mp t i on .

Numb e r s the f oundati on of all ac c ur ate

k n ow le dg e
.
-
Th us , h ow e ve r , w e h ave d e mon
s t rat e d t h at n umb e r s are n e c e s s arily , i e ,
. .

n e ve r c e as i n l , i ve n t o man fr om and i n his

g y g
-

fi rs t c og ni t i on ,and s o are th e b e gi nni ng and

found atio n of al l s ci e ntific t r ut h ; i c all
.

acc u rat e k n owl e dg e of t he w orld wi t hi n and

of t he w orld wi t ho u t .

T he r e ad e r will t h e re fore p e rc e iv e t h at w e
h av e t urne d the w e ap ons of s c e p t ici s m ag ai ns t
C . T HE SCIE NCE OF T RU T H .

i t s e lf I ns t e ad of s e t t i ng ab out wi t h l e arne d
.

w ord s and ph ras e s , and t he p roc e s s c all e d

ab s t rac t i on , t o e s t abli s h a li k e n e s s c all e d
u ni t , w e h ave b e e n l e d t o b e gi n at t he t r ue
y
b e gi nni ng ,t he e xi s t e nc e of one t hi ng ,K now
l e dg e ; t h e nc e w e h ave d e d uc e d t he ne c e s s ar y
e xi s t e nc e of t h re e t hi ng s ; f ac tor s i n t h at

on e thi ng , and n ot p ar t s of it ; and by t he

r ul e of s c e p t ici s m an d of s ci e nc e ,n ot t o ad mi t

or as s ume t hi ng s t o b e di ffe r e n t u n t il t h e y

ar e cl e arly s h ow n t o b e s o, w e ob t ai n e d t hr e e
‘

e ual u n i ts , th e fac t ors of t he fir s t u ni t, an d

q
t h e nc e h ave d e d uc e d al l t he t rut h s of s y mbolic

ari t h me t i c i n t he or di nary manne r .

We n ow , t h e re fore , p roc e e d t o co ns id e r
ve ry s h or tl t h t h r e e cl as s e s of obj e c t ors or
y e

dl s s e n t ie nt s t o t hi s vi e w of h u man k nowl e dg e ,
v iz
,
. th os e w h o t hi n k h u m a n k n owl e dg e i s

c omp oun d e d of tw o f ac tor s , or p art s , viz , .

s ubj e c t O bj e c t , or t he ant i t h e s i s p hil os o

h e r s ; an d s e c on dly ,t h os e w h o t hi nk i t c om
p
~

p oun d e d of on e thi ng al one , e i t h e r matte r or

mInd ; viz , t he mat e ri ali s t and t he d og ma
.

t ic al id e ali s t r e s p e c t iv e ly
.

Wi t h re s p e c t to t he obj e c t s ubj e c t p hi
38 P HI LOSO P H Y ; O R, § s .

l oSOp he r s g e ne rally , w e do not co ns id e r t h at

t h e y in s ub s t anc e di s p ut e our fi rs t d e d uc t i on

of thr e e
f ac to r s in k no wl e dg e ,for t h e y al l of

co urs e p r ac ti c ally ad mi t t h at w o rd s h av e
'

s om e t hi ng t o d o in the co mpo s i t i on of k now

l e dge It is only t h e i r ve r b al l oos e ne ss and

.

unc e rt ai nt y t h at w e h ave t o re mark upo n,t h at

v e rb al unc e rt ai nty wh ich i t is our obj e c t t o

t ry and p e rmane n t ly r e move S ci e nc e , phi .

IOS Op hy , or k nowl e dg e ,w i thou t w or ds or s y m

b ols , w ould b e the p l ay o f H aml e t wi t h t he l

p art of H amle t l e ft out ; b ut w h at p art

1

w ord s pl ay or t ak e in philo s ophy , is ,wi th out

q ue s t i on, t he g re at fund ame nt al di ffic ul ty
which all who thi nk h ave t o e ncounte r in the ‘

Sc i e nc e of t ruth or i n t he p urs ui t s of phi

IOS Op hy
1
Vi de P ly re a on d “ I n ti tute of
rofe s s or Fe rr ie r
’
s ab s e s s

M taphy ic , ummin g up th e obj ct

e s
”
s u bj c t t h o y of e s e e r

k n owl dg ,o pi t mol og y,le a i g ou t w o d altog th

e e r e s e v n r s e er

a fac to in k nowl dge ,b u t i n ot h pe ct co tai i g a

_

s rs e er re s s n n n

ve r y able umma y of th e an t it h i phil o ophy Kan t al o

s r es s s . s

wh olly n gle ct w o d in h i g at w o k It m y b e oh
e s r s s re r . a
‘

e v d ,t h at I d e ny t h e di ti n c t i on b t we n d e n ot t i e
s r e nd s e e a v s a

c on n ot at i , o at t ib u t i
ve s v , a mrai n t ai n d rby Mill and es s e

W h at ly a wh olly ill ogical Not

e s n a p op n am . e ve r er e

i gul a i a m m k lik a,an u nk n own qu n tity in

s n r s e re ar e
'
a

A lg b a e It i n v
r . p ok n wit h ou t ome id a o th ou gh t
s e er s e s e r

i n th mi n d c onn cte d to t h e n ame

e S u ch wo ds a S oc atic
e . r s r

o P l aton ic p ov t hi
r r e s .
o. T HE SCIENCE on T RU T H . 39

CHAP T ER II .

T HE T HREE C LASSES or OBJ E CT ORS f

fl—
T HE

INTELLE CT UAL UNIT Y IN T RINI T Y .

T ft e An ttt/te s zs S ubj e c t j ob
'

or ec t

S c he me o f P il i lOS O /l
p y
fi
m
l t i s ve ry w ort hy of

ob s e rvat i on , by all w ho fe e l an i n t e re s t i n t h e

h uman mi nd , or in arri vi ng at t r uth and c e r

t ai n t y , t h at if, in th e c ours e of t he re as o ni ng

which I h av e d e ve l op e d i n t he l as t ch apt e r,
w e h ad c omme nc e d wi th as s umi ng at fi rs t t w o
“

e xi s te nc e s or di s t i nc t t hi ng s only ; or if w e

c ould h old t he op l nl on t h at h uman k now

l e dg e ne c e s s arily i mpli e s only t vvo t hi ng s
s ay s ubj e c t an d obj e c t , or e o an d n on e o
g g
w e s ho uld h av e at on c e fall e n i nt o a d ubi e t y
]

or unc e rtai nt y in t he d e d uc t i on of N umb e rs ,

 o
“

46 P HILOSO P HY ; O R, [

q ui t e i nd e p e nd e nt of mat e ri ali s m or dog

m at ic id e ali s m For if w e only had had
.

one , t w o, as t he found at i on of n umb e rs ,

i ns te ad of on e , t w o, t h r e e ,in our fi rs t c on
c e t i on , w e c ould n ot fe e l q ui t e s ure w h at
p
t he n e x t mos t s i mpl e or mos t nat u ral s t e p

s h ould b e , for t h e r e w ould b e t w o s t e p s

n

e q ual l nat u ral T w o i s for me d by addi ng

y .

one t o one ; and t he ne x t lik e s t e p migh t ,

t h e re fore ,h ave b e e n t w o t o t w o,and s o on,

maki ng e ach n e w numb e r by addi ng t he fo rme r

n umb e r t o i t s e lf . We s h ould ,t h e re fore , h ave
r e mai ne d u n c e r t ai n or d ubi ous , b e t w e e n w h at

are c all e d t h e nat ural n umb e rs , 1, Q ,3 ,4 ,&c , .

an d t h e s e ri e s , 1, Q ,4 , 8 ,& c . Bo t h of th e s e
migh t h av e b e e n s aid t o b e e q ually nat ural .

But h avi ng as s ume d only one umt i n t he b e

l

gi nni ng , if t h re e uni t s are g ive n j n ou r fi rs t

c og ni t i on , or c onc e p t i on of k nowl e dg e , t h e
"

mi nd c annot j ump from th re e t o th re e t i me s

t h re e and is , as i t w e re ,c omp e lle d t o r e c og

n 1s e t h e i n divid u al u ni t of t h e t h re e fac t ors ,

y
an d t o di s c uss t h e i r c ombi nat i ons and t o

p roc e e d by t he s te p s of one , to

t he n atur a l s e ri e s of n umb e rs , addi ng uni t

 THE SCIEN CE OF T RU TH . 41

f
a te r un i t ,in pl ac e of addi ng uni t s or thi ng s
t o t h e ms e l ve s
.

T he s am e d ubi e t y and unc e r t ai nty which I

h ave ill us t rat e d by th e t w o s e ri e s , 1,Q ,3,&c , .

and 1, 2 , 4 , & c , s e e ms t o me t o r e s ul t from

.

al l at t e mp t s t o r e d uc e h uman k nowl e dg e or

p h i l os o h
p y
'

t o a n a n t i t h e s—
i s i n S h or t , t o a

c oupl e ; t h ough ts and t hi ng s ,e g o an d n on e g o,

s ubj e c t an d Obj e c t , fac t s an d t h e ori e s ,and s o

fort h ; fro m which ant i t h e s i s ,as I co nc e i ve ,no

ki n d of c e r tai nt y c an re s ul t I s ay ,t h e refore ,
.

wi t h g re at re s p e c t for many of th e s e g re at phi

IOSO p he rS an d l e arne d me n ,t h at t he found at i on
is i ns e c u re and un c e rt ai n, and i nv ol ve s all
phil os ophic al q ue s ti ons i n it s ow n d ubi e ty
It co mp e l s t h e m t o e nd e av our t o s us t ai n t h e i r
s y s t e m by n e w as s ump t i ons ,forms of t h ough t ,

i nt ui t i ons , ne c e s s ary c onc e p t l on s —

S uch as
S p ac e , and T i me , and Caus e , &c which
‘

—
.

e nabl e any b old S c e p t ic t o b l ow t he whol e

”

fab ric t o pi e c e s , by re fus i ng t o ad mi t al l or

,
s ome of t h e s e as s u mp t i ons : an d for e x ampl e ,

t o d e cl ar e S p ac e t o b e n ot hi ng , an d I nfi ni t e

S p ac e a me re s up e rs t i t io n ! a b ad h abi t Of
t h ough t ,as Mr Mill se e ms t oc all i t
.
'
42 LO SOPHY
P HI OR, [0 2 .

Q . Wor ds ,not i de as ,f ac tor s i n know le dg e .

“
We are s e e ki ng for t rut h and c e rtai nt y ,
and I admi t t h at it i s a fun d ame nt al q ue s t io n

w he th e r our fi rs t c og ni t io n the fi rs t c on
—
“

c e p t ion p re s e n t t o t he i nt e ll e c t b y wh at
"’
—

e ve r nam e w e c all i t , is ne c e s s ar ily c omp os e d

of one , t w o, or t hr e e t hi ng s , or e x iSt e nc e S .

I s ay t hr e e s a l e c t, ob e c t ,and w hat I migh t

— fi

gj j
h ave c all e d c onne c t or tr aj e c t,or i de a,b ut t h at
I p re fe r t he pl ai n E ngli s h of mi nd , t hi ng ,
and wo rd . I c all t he t hi rd fac t or a wor d
r ath e r th an an i de a, St e b e c ause w e do
alw ay s g i ve i t a nam e w h e n w e t ry t o s p e ak

acc urat e ly t o ou r n e l g hb our That n or d '

.

alway s e xp re s s e s wh at K an t s ay s b e gi ns by
b e i ng s e ns uo us and e nd s by b e i ng i nt e ll e c t ual .

I c al l it a wo r d al s o,b e c au s e i t at onc e r e li e v e s
us fro m al l t h at i nt ol e rab l e l og omach y and

j argo n which has g one on from t he t i me of

P l at o ,abo ut id e as ,i mp re s s i on ,s e ns at io ns ,p e r
s

ca p ti ons , co nc e p t io ns , refl e xiOns re p re s e nt a

f
a

t i ons ,i n t ui t io n s ,850 e v e ry ag e ,in val n ,t ryi ng

t o fix wh at ne v e r c an b e fi x e d v1z ,t he id e nt i ty
—
.

of A s s e ns at i on and re fie x ion W l t h B s s e ns a
’ ’

t io n and re fle xion,the s am e ne s s of A s i d e a
’
 T HE SCIENCE OF T RU T H . 43

wi t h B s id e a Th e y are di ffe re nt ,and will

’
.

re m ai n di ffe re n t t o t he e n d of t i me ; an d i t i s

ut t e rly idl e t o ign ore t he t r ut h , which I s h all

more fully c ons id e r In t h e ne x t ch ap t e r, t h at

m an s ag re e me nt in k nowl e dg e c an only b e an
’

ag re e me n t in W ORDS Wi th out g oi ng fur th e r

.

i nt o t hi s q ue s ti on at p re s e nt ,I me re ly s ay t h at
a w or d is on e n e c e s s ary fac t or i n h uman k n ow =

l e dg e ; for e ve n if I ad mi t t h at A may hav e

k nowl e dg e wi tho ut a w or d , A an d B , and all
th e r e s t of manki nd , c an not h av e t he s ame

k nowl e dg e w i th out a w or d t o e xp re s s , and

t e ach , and l e arn i t by It is , t h e re fore , a
.

fac t or in knowl e dg e , e v e n if not a fac t or in

A s k nowl e dg e ; t h ough I s h ould b e i n cli ne d
’

t o d e ny t h at any man in t he b ody c an h ave

an t r ue id e a or t r ue k nowl e dg e wi t h out s o me
y
w o rd , S ig n , or o t h e r s y mbol t o e Xp re s s i t ,

t ho ugh he alo n e un d e rs tand s it , and p os s ibl y

c ann o t mak e any i nt e lligibl e s ig n or wo rd t o

co nv e y it t o his b ro t h e r man We s h all h ave , .
1

1
St . P ul
i ion will occ ur to t h e ad r II Co ,xn ,2
a
’
s v s e r e —
. r. . .

wh n h h d un pe ak able w o d n ot lawful fo a
e e e ar s r s r

man t o u tte , b ut wh t h e in t h e bod y o ou t of t h e b od y

r e r r

h e c ould n ot t e ll
‘

E ve n h e e w o d we e p art of t h e
. r r s r

V Of c ou rs e e v e y in te lligible i gn is a w o d
l Sl O Il . r So w e S r .
44 PHIL OSOPHY ; OR . 3 .

h owe ve r, t o c ons id e r w ord s an d id e as much

mo re fully h e re aft e r
F undame n tal A n ti tlt e s i s f oun de d i n

M s t ake n We s ay ,t he re fore ,t h at
In tui ti ons .
—

t hi s fun da me n t al an t i t h e s i s ,
”
phil os ophy ,
s ch me of h uman
”
t hi s obj e c t an d s ubj e c t
“
e
k nowl e dge , is fo un d e d on a mi s tak e , an
omi s s i on , or n e gl e c t of t he v e ry I mp ort ant
‘

p art pl ay e d by w ord s amo ng s t manki nd as

ne c e s s ar f ac tor s of k n owl e dg e K an t ,t h ough
y .

al s o c onfus e d wi t h his U ni ty of t he s y n
“

t h e s i s of t he M anifol d, which is a l e arne d

and r oun d ab out n ame for t he p roc e s s of

maki ng g e ne r al te r ms , w as , in my O p l nl on ,
ne are r r igh t t h an t h os e of h is foll ow e rs w ho

t ry t o r e d uc e phil os ophy di s t i nc t ly t o an

an t i t he s i s of obj e c t s ubj e c t K ant b e c ame

.

c onfus e d ,as I t hi nk, from not s e e ing di s t i nc tly

t h at th e fir s t manifold re q ui re s t o b e t h re e ,
”

an d n ot mor e t h an t h re e ,in uni ty t og e t h e r He .

b e c ame unabl e t o d e d uc e t he id e as of s p ac e
’

an d t i me from any t hi ng , an d, t h e re fore , un

call b ot h S c iptu e and J u th e Wo d of God ; b oth
r r es s r

sign th e O n more t h an a Sign,th e oth e a m e ign o

s : e r —
er s r

symb ol of t h e D ivine Spi it th at di ctate d th e wo d

r r s.

I Cor ,ii ,13

'

. . . .
 T HE SCIENCE OF T RUT H . 45

s ci e nt ific ally as s ume d bo t h as forms of t h ough t ,

as fund ame n t al i n t ui t i ons ; an d h is foll ow e rs

h ave i mp rove d up on t hi s b ad e x ampl e , t ill

t h e y app e ar al mos t t o as s ume any t hi ng t h e y

pl e as e t o b e a fund ame nt al for m of t h ough t

an d i n t ui t i on ; an d me n p os s e s s e d of r e as on ~

i ng fac ul t i e s t urn aw ay i n di s g us t or c on t e mp t ,
or bl ow t h e i r as s ump t i ons t o t he wi n d s , by

d e nyi ng t he wh ol e wi t h more or l e s s p l au
s ibi l i ty .

On t he bj e c t of n umbe r , K an t c on t ra
su

dic t e d hi ms e lf by , in on e p as s ag e maki ng
t i me ge ne rat e n umb e r ,an d in anot h e r mak ing

n umb e r g e ne rat e t i me I gi v e t he p as s ag e s .

b e l ow His s y s t e m is ove rt h row n as t o s p ac e

.
l

1
K y Boh n T an lati on , p l l O Nu mb e
an t sa s —
’
s r s .
—
“
r

is n othi n g e l t h an t h u n ity of t h
se y nth i of the e s es s e

man ifold in a homog n e ou i ntu i ti on by m n of my e s ea s

g en a
er t i n
g t i m i t l f i n m ey app seh n i on of t h i n t u i re e s e

t i on . H tim i aid to b g n at d by n umb e But

”
e re e s s _
e e er e r .

at p age 2 8 , h h ad p iou ly l id dow t hi p i n cipl

e re v s a n s r e

Time i n ot an mpi ic l conce pt ion ; t i m i n c a y

s e r a e s a e e ss r

re p ntation lyin g t t h fou dat io of all ou i ntui

r e se a e n n r

ti on ; t im i gi n 2
s e s veS o t i m i at t h fou n d
( e s e a

t io n of n u mb , n d n u m ber t t
a h fo u n d at i on of t i m er a
, a n d e e

e v e n g e n r at it,o of t w o thing b ot h a
e es r fi t ,which i a s re rs s

cl e a con t adiction S o f a I kn ow ,th e fi t abo p a

r r . ar s rs ve s~

s ag e a t o nu mb s , i t h e o n ly o n
er i n h is ce l b at d w o k e s e r e r

atte mp t i n g t o e pl ai n n umb e x T h e fact i ,t h at n umb e r. s r

46 P H ILOSO P H Y ; OR , ( 0 .

an d i me b e i ng n e c e s s ary fo r ms of all ou r
t

t h ough t s , by ci t i ng n umb e r as e vid e nc e t o the

co nt rary ; for in wh at t i me or in wh at S p ac e d oe s
t he t h ough t of th e n umb e r t h r e e ne c e s s arily

e xi s t ? We i nte n d t o S h ow h e r e aft e r t h at as
numb e rs are gi ve n in our fi rs t c og ni t i on and

by e ve ry s e ns e , th e y are the me as u re or mak e

s ure of al l ot h e r t hi ng s ,an d t h at as numb e rs are

li ke w or ds ,mad e alik e by man hi ms e lf,s o t i me

is li ke mi n ds i n s uc c e s s i on , i e , lik e t hough t s . .

e n ume rat e d by n umb e rs and s p ac e s ar e l i ke

bod ie s ne g at i ve ly ob s e rve d and t he ab s e nc e

“

e n ume rat e d i n t i me ; and t h at mi n d s , b odi e s ,

]

an d w ord s i ncl ud e al l po s s ibl e p re dic abl e s .

But w e ar e an t icip ati ng , and w e s hall h ave

t o c on s id e r t h is obj e c t s ubj e c t ,or ant i th e s i s

s ch e me of phil os ophy mor e ful ly , w he n w e

‘

c ome t o c ons i de r wh at w ord s r e ally are .

M ate r i alis t and Ide ali s t Obj e c t or s ~

As no man w ho i onally di s c us s the

c an r at

n at ur e of human k n owl e d g e c an d e ny t he

e x 1s t e nc e of t h e w ord s h e us e s or a b us e s ; or

is th e s imple s t and fi rs t s ci
ific cogni tion ,an d is g ve n by
e nt i

y an c ou n t t ou ch igh
”

e ve r s e n s e ,for we c , tes
, ou n d s , t a ste ,
s s s s

and s me ll s ,an d it i s ,t h e e f
ro , t h re
e fi t m e as u r e of a l l o th e r

t hin g s.
C . T HE SC IE NCE OF T RU T H . 47

h th e y d o in s ome ne c e s s ary w ay g o t o
t at

form t he h uman k nowl e dg e which he is e n ~

de avouring w i t h his w ord s t o e s t abli s h or

r e fut e , w e migh t h av e as s ume d ours e l ve s t o

ag re e wi t h t he obj e c t 4 s ubj e c t phil os oph e rs

»

for t he p urp os e of t he l as t ch ap t e r , though

w e d o n ot e xp re s s our s e l ve s e x ac tly alik e ; an d

migh t h ave t he n s aid t h at al l obj e c ti ons t o

ou r s y s t e m of c on c e i vi ng k n ow l e dg e as t he

p rod uc t of t h re e fac t ors , mi nd , thi ng , and

w ord , an d t h e nc e d e d uci ng N umb e rs , w e re
re d ucibl e t o t w o : fi rs t , t he obj e c t i on of t he

d og mat ic al m ate ri ali s t w ho d e ni e s the dis tinc n

t i on b e t w e e n mi n d and mat t e r , an d re d uc e s

kn owl e dg e t o s ome c omp os i ti on or op e rat ion

of matte r and w or ds ; and , s e co nd , t h at of t he

d og mat ic al id e ali s t who d e ni e s the s ame dis

t i nc t i o , and r e d uc e s k n owl e dg e t o a c o p o
n m =

s i t i ou or op e rat i on of mi n d and w or ds .

I do in s ub s t anc e ag r e e w i t h al l t h os e unan
s w e rab l e re as on i ng s by which K an t an d his

foll ow e rs h ave e s tablis h e d wh at I t hi nk t he t r ue

vi e w of H ume and B e rk e l e y s d oc t r i ne ; t h at
’

which p re s e rve s the di s t i nc t i on of s ubj e c t and

O bj e c t ,and y e t as s e rt s t h at thi ng s i n tlt e ms e lc e s
48 PHILOSO P HY ; OR [ C . 4 .

c an ne ve r be k now n ; i e , c an form n o p ar t
. .

of h uman k nowl e dg e .But t he p ure id e ali s t ,

an d t he p ure mat e ri ali s t , b ot h s t rik e one of

our fac t ors out of t he co n c e p t i on of k now

l e dg e , by d og mat ic ally de ny ing t he s e p arat e

e xi s t e n c e or nat u re of e i t h e r mat t e r or mi n d

re s p e c t i ve ly , and e q ually n e gl e c t th e t hi rd

fac t or, w ord s .

T he M ate r i ali s t Olge c ti on B ot h t h e s e

.
—

obj e ct ors ad mi t t h at s ome thi ng t hi n ks Now , .

wh e n a mat e ri ali s t as s e rt s th at matte r t hinks ,

i t s e e ms t o me t h e s illi e s t t hi n g in t he
w orld t o s ay t he co n trary ; for as ne i th e r
p ar ty r e ally know s a ny thi ng of mat t e r i n
i ts e lf,i t i s as ab s ur d for t he one t o dog ma ti

c ally d e ny , as for the ot h e r t o d og mat ic ally

as s e r t ,t h at mat t e r c an t h in k T he only p rop e r
'

w ay t o me e t any one in e rr or , is t o c ome t o

"

s ome c on ve n t i on or ag re e me nt as t o t h e w or d s

t o b e u s e d for t he p urp os e of t he d is c us s IO n .

“
Th e re is no mag l c In t he w ord matte r ”

an d t h e mat e rial is t , for t h e p u r p os e of our

‘

di s c us s i on in t he l as t ch ap t e r, S h ould b e
an s w e r e d by s ayi ng , By al l me ans , s i r ! l e t
“

us ag r e e t h at In ou r di s c uss i on the t hi n ki n
g
 T HE SCIENCE OF T RU T H .

thi ng S h all b e c all e d mat te r ; b ut wh at sh all

we c all the non t hi nki ng t hi ng
-
If he is S o
fooli s h as t o s ay op e nly , I w ant t o c all it
m at t e r t oo, t he ans w e r is cl e ar,t h at he c anno t
b e p e rmi t te d t o c all a t hi ng and i t s co nt rary
by the s ame name in t he s ame di s c us s io n .

n ot A , c ann o t i n th e s ame dis

5 A
‘ ” ”
an d
“

c ours e b e c alle d B , for of co urs e any one

co uld p ro ve or di s p rov e anyt hi ng in t h at
manne r ; w e c ould p rov e t h at A is s om e t i me s
i ts e lf and s ome t i me s not i t s e lf I f he will
.

l e av e t he w or d m at t e r out al t og e t h e r, and
c ons e nt t o alway s us e t h e wo rd s thinki ng
t hi ng , and n on thi nki ng t hi ng , t h at an s w e rs
-

t he p urpo s e of t h e arg ume n t i n th e l as t

chap t e r, and giv e s us t h re e di s t i nc t t hi ng s in

our fi r s t cog ni t io n, viz , the t hi nking t hi ng ,
.

t he n on t hi nki ng t hi ng ,and the wo rd And t he

-
.

m at e ri ali s t mus t do thi s , or s hift i nt o t he

dog mat ic al id e ali s t, and s ay e ve ry thi ng
t hi nk s ; and t h at t h e re Is n o di ffe r e nt name

t o b e n e c e ss ar ily gi ve n t o t he mi nd of man

and t o a s t one ; t h at t h e y are fund ame nt all

y
and o rigi nally one an d t he Sam e t hi nki ng

t hi n g. Th us ,how e v e r ,t he m at e ri ali s t i s com

D
50 PHILOSOPHY ; OR ,

p e l l e d to a dmi t fi rs t d e d uc t io n,t h at the

our

e xi s t e nc e of an k nowl e dg e p re s uppo se s and

y
ad mi t s t h e e xi s t e nc e of t h re e di s t i nc t t hi ng s,

fac t ors in k n owl e dg e which for th e p re s e nt ,

—

and for t he p urpo se s of t hi s di s c us s io n ,I h av e

c all e d , lik e E nglis h me n in g e ne ral , mi nd s ,

t hi ng s , an d wo r d s , t he t h re e n e c e ss ary co mpo

n e n t fac t o r s of al l k nowl e dg e .

T he Ide ali s t Obj e c ti on the sa me i n S ub

s tanc e as t he .Mate r i alis t .
-
T he dog mat ic al
id e al is t is ,f or the p urp os e of t h e di s c uss i on

in t he l as t ch ap t e r , al s o me t in t he s ame w ay .

III fac t and t r ut h , t he obj e c tio n is one and

t h e s am e ,for bo t h m at e ri ali s t and dog mat ic al

id e ali s t as s e rt t he id e nti t y of the t hi nki ng

an d n on t hi nki ng t hi ng s , and s o co nt radic t
-

t h e ms e lv e s But wh e n t he d ogm at ic al id e ali s t

.

d e ni e s t he e xi s t e nc e of the non t hin ki ng t hing

-

al t og e t h e r, t h at c ont radic t s t he fi rs t admi s

s io n, t he e xi s t e nc e of k n owl e dg e , which do e s

n ot i t s e lf t hi nk . An d if he s ay s kn owl e dg e
i s w ord s ,he is t h e n j us tly co mp e ll abl e t o g i ve -

u s dis t i nc t name s t o t he word s t h at ar e know

le dg e ,and t o t h e w ord s th at are n ot know le dg e ,

and we h av e mi nd , t r uth ,and word ; or mi nd,
 THE SCIENCE OF T RU T H . 51

ill us io n, and w ord ; or mi nd , t ho ugh t , and

word : from which t h re e word s or thi ng s w e
c an s t ill co ns t r uc t our n umb e rs ,an d our whol e

n um e ric al s s t e m , acco rdi ng t o t he r e as o ni ng

y
in t he l as t ch ap t e r ,and arriv e at e x ac t ly t he
s am e co ncl us io ns , t o which , t h e r e fore , e v e ry

dogmat ic id e ali s t m us t ag re e and s ubmi t ,or b e

g uilty of s e lf co nt radic tio n In fac t and t ruth ,
-
.

m at e ri ali s m and p ur e or dog matic id e ali s m are

not p rop e rl y di s t i ng ui s h abl e from one ano th e r,

an d t h e i r profe s s ors g e ne rally ai d t h e m s e l ve s

wh e n in any diffic ul ty b y s hifti ng t h e i r g ro und

fro m one t o t he o t h e r, from P anth e i s m t o
P anathe is m,and b ack agai n ; b ut ne i t h e r of
t h e m c an, wi t ho ut s e lf co nt radic t io n , d e ny
-

our re as o ni ng m t he l as t ch ap t e r, by which ,

from t he e xi s t e nc e of k no w le dg e , w e h av e
d e d uc e d t hre e di s t in ct thi ngs i n our fi rs t
cogni t ion; and t h e nc e h av e arriv e d at Num
b e r s , and at al l the t ruth s of s ymbolic ari t h
Ine t ic ; not b y ab st rac t io n or i nduc ti on, b ut

from and out of our admi t te d ignoranc e , by

de duc ti on from our fi rs t po s t ul at e or axiom ,
w hich is s e lf e vid e nt
-
.

Wh e re fore w e h av e laid a fi rm b e g i nni ng

D 2
52 P HILOSOPHY OR, [ 0 .

and fo und at io n for all our s ci e nt ific and ac c u

r at e k nowl e dg e i n n umb e r s of u nl t s , or s ig ns
.

mad e by man as e x ac tly alik e as p os s ibl e , and

d uly and s y s t e mat ic ally re gi s t e re d in b undl e s
by givi ng s e p arate name s or w or ds t o e ach
b undl e .

T he S tand p oi nt ar r i ve d at,Numb e r s
-
.

—
We are not now di s c us s i ng m at e ri ali s m or
.

d og matic id e ali s m,or t h e ir rat io nali ty ; b ut t he

mat e ri ali s t and id e ali s t c annot d e ny our re a
s o n i ng in t he l as t ch ap t e r wi t ho ut co nt radic t

i ng th e m s e lv e s We h av e t h us r e ach e d a v e ry
.

r e markabl e s tan d p oi nt ; h avi ng d e mons trate d,

as w e t r us t , b e yo n d c avil , b y any s e c t of

ph il os oph e rs ,or any rat io nal b e i ng wh ate v e r ,

t h at if w e s uppo s e and ad mi t , as e v e ry man .

mus t do who r e as ons , t he e xi s t e nc e of s o me

k nowl e dg e , w e c an th e nc e de duce d p r i or i
al l th e t rut h s of numb e rs , an d al l t h e t r ut hs

of s y mb olic ari thm e t ic , or, in s ho r t , al l t he

acc urat e k n owl e dg e ,2 e , t he w kole s c i e nc e o

. .
f
e u al uni ts ,b e i ng numb e rs of li ke w o r ds , or
q
lik e s y mbol s
We h ave ar riv e d at our e q ual uni ts , not b y
ab s t r ac t io n of k nowl e dg e , or by p e rc e p tio n of
0 . 1L , T HE SCI E NCE on T RU T H . 53

like ne s s ; b ut in the w ay all h um an know

l e dg e an d al l h uman t rut h has b e e n s y nth e
t ic ally b uil t up , viz ,by mak i n an d as s umi n g
.
g
l ik e s y mb ol s , lik e w ord s , lik e mark s , for
t hi ng s di s t i nc t ,b ut of who s e lik e ne s s in t h e m

s e l ve s , or s ame ne ss , or di ffe re nc e in t h e m
s e lv e s , w e ar e , or as s ume d ours e lv e s , for t h e

s ak e of arg um e nt , t o b e , w holl y ig noran t

,
.

Th e s e lik e m ark s w e mak e , and w e c all t h e m

u mt s ; w e t ie t h e m i n b un dl e s wi t h a n ame t o

e ach a g e ne ral wo r d t o k now i t ag ain : e ach

—

w ord , e ach numbe r , m e ani ng all tb e u ni ts ,

t i e d up in t he b un dl e T he t rut h an d c e r
.

t ai nty of t he p roc e s s d e p e n d s n ot on i nd uc

t i on, b ut on d e d uc t io n We d e d uc e t we nty
.

and gi ve it a nam e , b e c aus e w e h av e alr e ady

arriv e d at ni ne t e e n . E v e ry s t e p is d e d uc e d
from the l as t But h avi ng arriv e d by de duc
.

t i on at t hi s s t and p oi nt e ve n at a v ol ume of

s y mbolic t r ut h s , of t h e t r ut h s of ar i th me t ic ,

t r ut h s ack n owl e dg e d by all i nt e llig e nt me n as

ac t ual t rut h s ,t h e t i me h as com e wh e n it may

b e as k e d , is t h e re any t hi ng r e al in wh at w e
h ave b e e n domg ? We h av e a v ol ume of
~

word s , of s ig ns , of s ymbol s , and th e i r re l a

54 PHILOSOPHY ; on, 7
§ ,

t io ns , b ut h av e t h e y any s ignific at i on, any

m e ani ng , any applic at io n t o any t hi ng b ut
t h e m s e lv e s , t he m ut ual ut t e ranc e s ,t he m ut ual

and co nv e nt io nal s ig ns which me n m ak e t o one

anoth e r ?

Re ali s m, id e ali s m, n omi nali s m,t he t at te re d

b anne rs of philo s ophic s y s t e m s , are t h us
fo rc e d ou our att e nt io n But b e fore w e ve n
-

t ure upo n s uc h a s t ormy s e a of h um an wo rd s ,

l e t us t ry t o d raw s om e one c e rt ai n p rac t ic al

co ncl us io n from our firs t co nc e p t io n of k now
l e dg e ; a concl us io n which , In our op l mon,
c onc e rns e v e ry h uman b e i ng , b e he p e as ant
or b e h e philo s oph e r , w ho i s s e e ki ng for

t r ut h . T he t rut h 1s g re at ,and s h all p re vail .

-
We d wi t h the as s ump t io n of one un
s tart e

know n e xi s t e nc e c all e d know le dg e ,t he nat ure

and t rut h of which w e all w e re t o t ry and

di s cov e r b y m e ans of our i nt e ll e c t and re as o n .

We h av e s how n t h at the nat ure and c ons t it u

t io n of m an s mi n d is s uch , t h at t h e v e ry fi rs t
’

r at i onal s t e p fo r c e s , as i t w e re , a p r i or i , by

d e d uc ti on i nt o t he h um an mmd, th at t hi s un
k nown e xi s te nc e which w e are In s e arc h of
 C . n ,
. T HE SCIENCE on T RU T H . 55

c anno t b e t ho ugh t of or co nc e iv e d wi t ho ut
o
s e l f co nt r adic t i on, e xc e p t as a compo un d of
-

tb r e e f ac tor s not p art s , b ut f ac tors of t h e

k nowl e dg e w e are s e archi ng for Th e s e t h re e

.

di s ti nc t tho ugh ts ,or t hi ngs , or word s ,wh at

e v e r w e pl e as e t o c all t h e m , ar e not add e d

t og e t h e r in our firs t co nc e p t i on of k nowl e dg e ,

b ut are i nd e p e nd e nt f ac tor s , complic at i ng ,

com p o s i ng ,or co mp oundi ng the one t ho ugh t
or t hi ng , k nowl e dg e ,in t he mi n d . It w as not
t h e m e re addi ti on of mi nd ,t hi ng ,and wo rd ,as

t h re e t hi ng s , t h at compo un d e d k nowl e dg e in

our fi rs t c onc e p t i on . O ur addi t i on or e nume

rat i on has b e e n a wholly s ub s e q ue nt O p e ra

t io n t o our fi rs t conc e p t io n of the tkr e e . It

w as s o me ne c e s s ary ac t iv e i nt e r con -
ne c t i on,

s ome mu t ual co mbi nat io n, or ac t io n and re

ac t io n t oge t h e r of t h re e di s t i nc t t hi ng s , uni t s ,

as w e c all e d t h e m, t h at co mpo und e d our firs t

"

u ni t or c og ni t i on , i e , our co nc e p tio n of
“

Knowl e dg e . S o l ong as w e are , and re mai n,

ig norant of t he t rue nat ur e of t h e s e t hre e
di s t i nc t t hi ng s which w e c all e d a mi nd , a
t hi ng , and a wo r d , w e co ul d o nly p rop e rly

t ak e and as s um e t he s ame symb ol for e ach on e .

56 PHILOSOPHY ; OR, [C . n .
,§ 7 .

We c alle d th at s ymbol , uni t y , and b e i ng

wholly ig norant of the nature of t he
e xi s t e nc e , as w e ll as of t h e th r e e c omp one nt

fac t ors th e re of,e xc e p t o nly t h at the mi n d of

man forc e s him t o r e cog ni s e t h e m as thr e e
and as di s ti nc t , the v e ry fi rs t for m of h uman

k nowl e dg e is ne c e s s arily the logic al and ma ;

t h e mat ic al t r ut h ,

UNI TY i n to UNI T Y i nto UNIT Y UNIT Y = .

Thi s is t he fi rs t p os sibl e t rue co nc e p ti on

which the h um an mi n d c an mak e of KNOW
LED GE ; as a uni ty of thr e e di s t i nct uni ti e s .

In K an ti an ph ras e ol ogy , it is t he uni t y of

t he s y nt h e s i s of a t h re e fold t he firs t

m anifol d th at the mi nd c an co nc e iv e ,or b uild

up t og e th e r , is t h e t kr e efold i n t he fi rs t c o
g
n it ion . Thi s f or m of t ho ugh t is not as s ume d ,
b u t p ro v e d
. N o one who s p e ak s c an d e ny it
t o us wi t ho ut s e lf c ont r adic t i on in wor d s ,and
-

t h at w e h av e prov e d i n t he p re c e di ng di s c us

s io n
. Thi s is the fi rs t f or m,t h e re fo re , which
any k nowl e dg e as s ume s in th e h uman mi nd

b e gi nni ng at the t rue and o nly b e g InnIng , of

s up p os mg man wh ol ly ig norant , and on t he
”

as s u mp t io n t h at s o me k nowl e dg e e xi s t s for
 T HE SCIEN CE OF T RU T H . 7

t he hum an mi nd t o di s cov e r and c onte mp lat e ,

i n or d e r t o s at i s fy t he re s tl e s s cravi ng of t he
h uman i nt e ll e c t.

T he i nt e ll e c t ual l aw or co ns t i t ut io n of t he
h uman mi nd ,th e re fore ,r e q ui re s ,o f ne c e s s i t
y
n e v e r c e as m l a s t h e v e ry o rigi n
g y
- —

and fund am e nt al p ri ncipl e at o nc e app re ci abl e

,
b y th e ig no rant and by t he wi s e , t h e ad
'

mi ss i on of t hi s t ruth ,a log ic al Uni ty in Tri ni ty,

a T ri ni t i n U ni t ,as i t s fi rs t s te p t o t rut h
y y .

It is not t h at n o oth e r is c onc e i vabl e , b ut

t h at any o t h e r co nc e p t i on i s s e lf co nt radic t o ry
-

in wo rd s . T he d og mat ic al mat e ri ali s t and

dog mat ic al id e ali s t b o th p rofe s s t o co nc e iv e a
fo rm of k nowl e dg e co mpo und e d of t w o,and
not t h re e , fac t o rs ; b ut w e h ave s hown t h at

t h e y m us t co nt radic t t h e ms e l ve s in s tat i ng

t h e ir co nc e p t i on . Thi s is t h at logic al , t hat

v e rb al , T ri ni t y which has b e e n dimly s e e n
b y many g re at philo s oph e rs from P l at o d ow n
w ar d s. T h e admi s s io n of t hi s t rut h is t h us
d e mons trat e d i nte ll e c t ually ; as the fi rs t s te p ,
t h e v e ry fi rs t co n di t io n , th e fi rs t ne c e s s ary

d e d uc ti on impli e d in the admi s s io n of any

knowl e dge wh at e v e r . Le t s e l f p uzzl e d or
-

D 5
58 PHI LOSOPHY ; OR , [ 0 .
§ 7 .

word p uzzl e d phil os oph e rs dwe ll on the fac t

-

t h at no k nowl e dg e c an e xi s t i n t he h um an

mi nd wi th out t he admi s s ion of t hi s fund a

.

m e ntal t r ut h ,and t h at e v e ry i nt e lle c t which

de ni e s i t is s elf c ont r adic t ory
-
. Me n c an al
w ay s fi nd an e xc us e for n ot b e li e vi ng w hat
t h e y do not lov e or li k e , b ut ho ne s t i nt e ll e c t

will admi t it as t he fi rs t and l as t , the Be

gi nni ng and e nd, of h um an k nowl e d ge .

T he p ure i nt e ll e c t ual co nc e p t io n and t he

p ure mor al co nc e p t io n of a Tri ni ty in Uni ty
are wholly di ffe re nt an d i nc omme ns urabl e . I
t r us t t h at I h av e b e e n abl e t o e ngr av e t hi s

g re at i nt e ll e c t ual t ruth more cl e arly and d is

t inc t l y t h an hi th e r t o on t he h uman I nt e ll e c t

of E ngli s h me n ; b ut i t r e q ui re s an I nfi ni t e

S pi ri t t o i ns c rib e t he t r ue mor al co nc e p t io n
up on t he fl e s hly t abl e s of t he h um an h e art ;

t h at mo ral t rut h , t h at t o th e h uman m ind

t he fi rs t E xi s t e nc e is , of ne c e s s i t y ,a T ri ni t y

t he Cr e ator , t he R e de e me r , t he S anc tifi e r ,

t he h re e co e qual and co e t e rnal uni t s in t he
t

fi rs t uni ty ; the Mi nd , the S pi ri t , and t h e

W ord of God t he t r ue and o nly s y mbol of
—

D ivi ne lov e . It is , t h e r e fore , cl e ar,and not

0 . 1L , T HE SCIENC E OF T RUT H . 59

to b e g ains ay e d,t h at if, as Th e i s t s , w e ad mi t

t he e xi s t e nc e of one God —
a God of s e l f i

k nowl e dg e t hat be i ng is a Uni t y in T ri ni t y ,

— J

a T ri ni t y i n Un i t y ,acc or di ng t o t he n e c e s s ary

c ons t i t ut i on of man s mi nd , an d any o th e r

’

h uman c onc e p t i on of a God of s e lf knowl e dge -

is s e lf c ont radi c t ory

-
.

Wh e n, t h e re fo re ,a Je wi s h p e asan t ,comi ng
forwar d as a l ong fore t old and l ong pro mi s e d
- -

M e s s i ah , p ublicly anno un c e d t he d oc t ri ne I
an d m F atb e r are on e , H e w h o ha
”
y t h se e n

me h at h s e e n t he Fat h e r , and the Fat h e r “

s h all giv e o u a n o t h e r C omf or t e r , e ve n t he

y
S pi ri t of T r ut h ; He dw e ll e t h w it h y ou , and
s h all b e i n o u a n d e h all k n ow t h at I
y ; y s

am i n t h e Fat h e r , and y e in me , an d I in

y ou ; h e r e v e al e d a t r ut h which , i n c o m p re

he ns ib l e as it may b e t o m an s mi n d, and
’

al t og e t h e r abov e r e as o n and not d e d ucibl e

t h e r e by ,is y e t n ot o nly con s i s t e nt wi t h t h e

high e s t re as on , b ut any oth e r h uman c on

c e p t ion of t he D e i t y e nds i n s e lf c ont radic t i on
-

and i s i nc on s i s t e nt wi t h t he co ns t i t ut i on of
t he h uman mi n d i t s e lf .

God is an Obj e c t of worship ,a Cre at or and

 ‘
60 PHILOSOPHY ; OR , L
C . n , .
w
.

Fath e r ; he is a mi nd and s pi ri t ,
S ubj e c t, or
c ombi ni ng wi t h s uppor t i ng or dwe lli ng in al l

go od mi nd s ; and he is the D ivine Wor d or

s ymbol , t he high e s t h uman e x e mplar, p os
s e s s i ng t he D ivi ne S piri t wi t ho ut m e as ure
“

or,as th e Ch urch of Al e x and ria e xpre s s e d i t ,

“
i nfe rio r t o t he Fath e r as t ou chi ng his man
hood ,and e q ual t o the Fathe r as t ouchi ng hi s
~

Godh e ad T h edi s ti nct p e rs o nali ty of the Son

.

and H ol Spi ri t i s a m arv e llo us r e v e l at io n,

"

y
b ut co ns i s t e nt wi t h the high e s t re as o n . T he
T ri ni ty is not t h re e re l at io ns t o mank ind,b ut ‘

t h re e p e rs o ns in one D e i t y ,t h re e Re lat i ons to

H i mse lf And if any man arg ue s th at s uch a

.

co nc e p tio n of t he D e i ty is a co nc e p t io n of
t h re e G od s ,w e ans we r t h at he is as l ogic ally

ab s ur d an d i nc ons i s t e nt as if h e arg ue d t h at

h um an s e lf knowl e dg e is a co nce p t ion of t h re e

-

me n,and n ot , as w e h av e s hown it t o b e ,a
c o nc e p t io n of one man e xi s t i ng in t h re e
ne c e s s ary re l at io ns t o him s e lf as an obj e c t ,
—

a s ubj e c t ,and t he word or t ho ugh t t he —

c onne c t i on b e t w e e n t h e m, wi t ho ut which a

man , as a b e i ng of s e lf k nowl e dge , c anno t

-

logic ally e xi s t or b e rat io nally c onc e iv e d b y

C . n ,
. T HE SCIENCE OF T RU T H . 61

t he human mi n d
Th us are the d e e p e s t
.

t r ut h s Of re ve l at io n ,which a child c an apply

t o his ow n s e lf i mp rove me n t , co ns i s t e n t wi t h
-

t he high e s t r e as on on which a man c an e x

e roi s e his i nt e ll e c t Man has fre e ch oic e and

.

c an r e fu s e t o b e li e v e , and may fe e l t h e p r id e

of a fool in ch oos i ng w rong ; b ut h e c anno t

fi n d any i nt e ll e c t ual s h e l t e r or l ogic al re fug e

which will b e ar t he t e s t of rat io nal e xami
nat io n in d e nyi ng t hi s g r e at r e v e al e d t r ut h .

H umili t y ,how e v e r,go e t h b e fo re t rue wi s d om

‘

Ep i s te mology an d On tology i ns ep ar ab le .

—
One cl e ar re s ul t ,al s o ,from t hi s di s c uss i on
of th e co mp os i t i o n of e xi s t e nc e or k n owl e dg e

is thi s , t h at the h uman mi nd c anno t s e p arat e

and di s t i ng ui s h e pi s t e molog fro m o nt olog ,
y y
or t he s ci e nc e of k nowi ng fr om t he s ci e nc e of

b e i ng Our fund ame nt al po s t ul at e , which al l

.

me n mus t g rant in t he fo rm w e h av e l aid it

dow n, is ,in fact and t ruth ,e q uiv al e nt t o the
”
po s t ul at e , God e ac zs ts , or T he Gr e at I “

am
”
e xi s t s Thi s i s as c e rtai n as our ow n
.

e xi s t e n c e .E ve ry man, v e rb ally , ad mi ts it ,
and co nt radic t s hi ms e lf wh e n he d e ni e s i t .

In s hort ,i nte ll e c t ual e xi s te nc e and kno wl e dg e ,

 62 PHILOSOPHY ; OR , [ 0 . n , .

i n t h e ir mos t abs tr ac t s e ns e , ar e one and t he

me t hi ng S e lf k nowl e dg e m us t i nvol ve lf,
1
sa .
-
se

and if all k nowl e dg e has t h re e fac t o rs ,t he t h re e

fac t ors of s e lf k nowl e dg e mus t b e p e r s ona? of -

s e lf, ot h e rwi s e s e lf w ould b e not s e lf E p is t e .

mol og y an d ont ol ogy ,t h e re fore ,not o nly c an

n ot b e s e p arat e d , b ut n e i t h e r c an b e di s c us s e d

al one i nt e ll e c t ually or co ns id e re d by i t s e lf
1
S ir Wm . H mil to bl ow
c i a d on thi n s an u n e r ta n s ou n s

s u bj e c t th c ompo ition of k nowl e dge C omp e t h e e

—
e s . ar s

t w o p a ag Kn owl e dg i a e l tion,and upp o two

ss es : e s r a s se s

t ms
er Th e i th e kn owing min d th thi ng k n ow n ;
. er s —
e

an d t h e k n owl e dg e i l ation b e tw n th e t w o ”
th e s re ee se .

—
L e c t by M ,i , p 195 Bu t h e h a p e iou ly aid ,
. an . . . . s r v s s

at p 14 6 , W h at w e k now i n ot a i mpl e l ation

“
. s s re

app h e nde d b e t w e n t he obj e ct k n ow n and th ubj ct

re e e s e

k nowin g,b ut e e y kn owl dg e i a um mad up of v al v r e s s e se er

e l e me nt T h e e t w o tat m n t cl as h Th y a con
”
s . s s e e s . e re re

cile d by all gi ng and p oving,a I h a don ,th at k n ow

e r s ve e

l dge i a p oduc t of th f ac tor mind ,thing,an d w o d

e s r re e s —
r .

A ll k nowl e dg e i mpli e , of n c e ity , t h e e t h e , an d n o s e ss s r e

mo e th an t h e e t h e e , facto
r In h o t, a w o d i a
s r rs . s r r s

n ce s a y
e s l me nt in al l k nowl dg
r e e K n owl dg i a e e . e e s

T rinity in u n ity,i nte ll e ct ually combine d P of s o F ie , . r e s r e rr r

in h is In titute of M taphysic , xp e ly l ave out

“
s s e s
”
e r ss e s

wo d al toge th e , and ay
r s O bj e ct r u bj c t i t he s s s e s

ab ol u t
s in c ogni ti on
e P op xxi T he wise and t h .
-
r . . e

igno ant c i e th e ame t oke on th e ne e T h e fo m

r re e v s s r rv . r er

ad op t a w o d t o s p e it ,an d h a kn owl dge which h e c an

r ex r ss s e

c ommu nicat e ; th e l atte h a no wo d ,and kn owl dg do r s r e e es

n ot xi t e E g o,I affi m t h t obj c t

s . r u bj e c t i n ot t h e r a e s s

ab ol ut in c og nit i on
s e T h w o d gi li f t o th c ogni tion ,
. e r ve s e e

an dw it hou t t h e w o d it i d d A w o d i t h e e mb odi me nt
r s ea . r s

of t h e t h ou g h t c onn e ct in g obj e ct and ubj e c t s .

C .
§ s .
] T HE SCIENCE OF T RU T H . 3

a lo ne But the t rut h has hi th e rt o b e e n t oo

.

much ov e rlo ok e d or ne gl e c t e d , t h at the tlzi r d

f ac tor i s n e c e ss ary t o s e lf k nowl e dg e
-
S e lf as.

an ob e c t, s e lf as a s ub e c t, mus t h av e al s o s e lf
j j
as a w or d or s mb ol of t he k n owl e dg e ; t h e
y
mi nd ,the s p IrIt ,and t he s y mb ol or wo rd ,which
t o a man e xpr e s s e s t he co nne c t i on b e t w e e n the

s ubj e c t i ve mi n d and t he obj e c t i ve or s pi ri t ual

s e lf which i t p e rc e iv e s A man c anno t b e

.

Co ns ci ous of a t ho ugh t ,a fe e li ng , or a p ri n
c ip l e ,wi t ho ut h e h as s om e wo rd , s y mbol , or

S ig n to e xp re s s it T he s e lf co ns cio us ne s s is
.
-

in s o me w ay , w e k now not how , mix e d up

wi t h t he w or d which e xp re s s e s t he s e lf c on -

s c ious ne s s Thi s is t he fund ame ntal fact in

.

al l me t aphy s ic al t r ut h ,an d i t o ugh t n e v e r t o

b e forgo t t e n or ne gl e c t e d Word s ,s y mbol s ,

.

or s ig ns are one fac t or in k n owl e dg e , are on e

fact or in t r ut h , and are ne c e s s ar i ly s o in t he

c ont e mplatio n of t he h um an mi nd Me n c an .

c om p are t h e i r Wo rd s , b ut , e xc e p t t h r o ugh
t h e i r w ord s ,t h e y ar e wholly unabl e t o c om

p are t h e ir I d e as T he e xi s t e nc e of t h e i r
id e as c an o nly b e pr ov e d and e xhi b i t e d by
t he e xi s te nc e of t h e ir word s .
64 PHILOSOPHY ; OR § 1 .

CH A P T E R III .

REALISM —
ID EALIS M
—
NO MI NALI SM .

M r He r b e r t Sp e nc e r s Re al is m If
.
’
—

it h ad n ot b e e n for Mr H e rb e rt S p e nc e r s
’
.

l at e b ook in E ngli s h on P s ych ology ,p re te nd

i ng t o p ro ve wh at he is pl e as e d t o t e rm re ali s m,
I S ho uld h ave tho ugh t i t idl e , at t he p re s e nt
d ay i n E ngl and , t o di s c us s fur t h e r t he q ue s
t io n b e t w e e n r e ali s m an d e v e ry ph as e of

id e ali s m Mr Mill ,w ri t i ng b e fore Mr S p e u

. . .

c e r s w ork app e are d , s ay s , B e rk e l e y s doc

’ “ ’

t ri ne is in s ub s t anc e ad mi tt e d t h e id e ali s t s
—

h ave e s t abli s h e d th e i r c as e .

Wh e th e r it is j us t t o at trib ut e t o B e rk e l e y
wh at K an t c all s a dog mat ic al id e ali s m, t h at
i s the p os i t iv e ass e r t i on t h at w e know th at
 C . m, . T HE SCIE NCE OF T RU T H . 65

m at t e r , t he n onhi nki ng t hi ng , doe s not e x i s t

-
t

at al l , e x t e rnal t o man s mi n d , i s a q ue s t io n
’

of p e rs ons , i e ,of B e rk e l e y s m e ani ng , rat h e r

’
. .

t h an of t hi ng s We may as s e r t the d e fe c t ive

.

n e s s of a p roof wi t h ou t as s e r ti ng t he co nt rar
y
dog mat ic ally ; b ut how any author of abili t y ,
w ho c an p ut w or d s t og e t h e r on s ome s ubj e c t s

wi t h cl e arne s s and a cc uracy , c an p rofe s s t o

mai ntai n p ure r e ali s m , or m an s k nowl e dg e ’

of t hi ng s i n tb e ms e lve s , s e e m s t o me a m ar v e l

of me nt al co nfus io n But t he m arve l c e ase s .

whe n w e fi nd t hi s s am e autho r d e ali ng w i t h

”
t h e w ord b e li e f, and e v e n w h e n on his
“

g uard , and wh e n his at te ntio n is di re c t e d t o

t h e s ubj e c t funab l e t o di ve s t his mi nd of t he

co nfus i on of ordi nary l ang uag e ,unabl e t o dis

t ing uis h cl e arly b e t w e e n t he t hi ng b e li e vi ng

an d t h e t hi ng b e li e v e d , and t h e b e li e f i ts e lf
"

i n th e mi nd , b u t ac t uall y t o co nfound t h e
”
e xi s t e nc e of t he t hi ng be li e v e d tire s un,
“
—

for e x ampl e wi t h the e xi s t e nc e of t h e b e li e f

—

in his ow n mi nd 1
S uch l uc ub rat i ons may b e
.

1 Vide Sp e n c e r P ychol ogy, p 2 9,a to h i b li f in

’
s s . s s e e
“
th e s un . S om of M S p c w iti g a cl ,u
e r .
’
en er s r n s re e ar se

ful ,an d p r a tical ; b ut h i

c mind m to m c onfuse d b y
s se e s e
66 PHILOSOPHY ; OR , ( 0 . m, § 1 .

a ll e g e d t o prov e re ali s m ,b ut t h e y c annot b e

r e pli e d t o for t h e y h av e n o m e ani ng t h
; e y
s t and s e lf c ond e m ne d
-
b y i ncoh e r e ncy , in
wo rd s O p e n and m anife s t .

B e li e f is one t hi ng , k nowl e dg e anoth e r ;

b ut if any thi ng has b e e n hi th e r t o p rove d in
m e taphy s ic s ,i t is , as Sir Wm H amil to n s ay s , .

t hat e x t e rn al t hi ng s i n the ms e lve s c annot b e

k now n , and ne e d n ot b e k now n b y man, b e

caus e a thmg Is ne ve r p re s e nt e d t o us ot h e r
'

w i s e t h an as a ph e nome no n , and t h at p h e

n ome n a me re r e p re s e nt at i ons ”
ar e T he .

s i mpl e t r ut h i s t hi s , t h at t he mor e w e k no w

of nat ure t he mo re d oe s s he wi thdr aw h e rs e lf,

an d t he m ore my s t e rio us and unk now abl e

do e s t he r e al n atur e of t he e x t e rnal w orld
b e c ome As our k nowl e dg e of nat ure in
.

c re as e s , SO do t he di ffic ul t i e s of r e ali s m
i ncr e as e wi t h i t Wh e n w e h av e re s ol ve d
.

w at e r i nt o t w o g as e s b y e l e c t rici ty ,w e h ave
th e mul titude of h is th ough t s of c onc r e te e xi s te nc e s Wh e n .

he c ome s t o dis cuss fu nd ame n tal ab stract t h ough ts, th e

me an in gs life ,soci e ty,p ope ty ,b e lie f,t ru th ,& c ,e v ap o
of r r .

rat e l tog th ,o a q uite inad mi ibl e L e t me t nd

a e er r re ss . e er

h im my t h an k ,h ow e ,asa n E ngli
ve rh ms an , fo h i sE a y r s
“
ss

on O e v L gi l ati on t h ough w diff on fundame ntal

r -
e s e er

ab tr ac t i on ,w e do agr e e in s ome p rac tical matte r s

s s .
 T HE SC IEN C E OF T RU T H . 67

t h re e p uz zl e s b e fore us i ns t e ad of one , the

r e l atio ns b e tw e e n e ach wi t h the o th e r t w o
and wi t h i t s e lf I f w e co uld now di s cov e r
.

m e thod s of re s olvi ng al l e x t e rnal t hi ng s i nt o

S ix or s e v e n i ns t e ad of the s ix ty or s e ve nt y
i ns ol ubl e e l e me nt s now k n ow n, w e s ho uld b e
mul tiplyi ng th e co mpl e xi t y of t he ph e no me na
t e nfold It w ould r e q uir e t e n t i me s t he
.

n umb e r of ph e nom e na, e ach of w hich i s an

i ns ol ubl e p uzzl e , t o p rod uc e e x t e r nal nat ur e

wi th s e ve n s i mpl e s in pl ac e of s e v e nty , and
w e s ho uld not b e a whi t n e ar e r t he r e ali t y of

t he mat t e r .

Mr Mill cl e arly p e rc e iv e s
. w e ll e x
an d

pr e s se s t hi s t r uth .T he r e s ul t of thi s s im
“

l i
p y gf i n p r oc e s s is t o t rac e u
p an e v e r g re at e r

v ari e ty of di ffe r e nt e ffe c ts t o t he s am e ag e nt s .

T he furt h e r w e adv anc e in t hi s di re c t io n , t h e

g re at e r numb e r of di s t i nc t prop e r ti e s w e are
fo rc e d t o r e cog ni s e in one and the s ame
”
obj e c t 1
.In s ho r t , t he g re at e r our k nowl e dg e
of e x t e rnal n at ure , t h e mo re c ompl e x , i ns t e ad

of t he m or e s i mpl e , d oe s nat ur e h e r s e lf b e

com e ,in a r e ali s tic poi nt of vi e w .

1
L ogic , ii ,p 108
”
. . .
68 PHILOSOPHY ; OR , § 1
.

All our k nowl e dg e b e gi ns wi t h s e ns e ,

p roc e e d s t h e nc e t o und e rs t andi ng , and e nd s
w i t h re as o n Not hi ng high e r c an b e dis
.

c o ve re d i n t h e h u man mi nd , s ay s K an t ; an d
”

t h e n h e c onfe s s e s hi ms e l f i n s o me di ffi c ul t y
t o gi ve an e xpl anat io n of thi s , t h e high e s t
”
fac ul ty of c og ni ti on But one t hi ng is m ad e
.

cl e ar by his arg ume nt b e yo nd rat i onal di s p ute ,

t h at al l t he ph e no me na t h at affe c t our s e ns e s ,

and which p as s t h e nc e t o t he u nde r s tandi ng ,

and are d e al t wi t h by t h e r e as on , c an o nl y

t h e re r e c e iv e a me n t al s ol ut i on , an i de al S im

l ic it y , a r ati onal an d v e rb al e xpl anat io n

p .

T he re ali ty of t he obj e c t s which w e p e rc e iv e

s t ill r e mai ns a p r ofoun d an d app ar e n tly in

s ol ubl e p robl e m .Wh e n me n s o much Op

”1

po s e d i n many of t h e i r vi e w s of phil os ophy

as Mr Mill an d D r Wh e w e ll , ag r e e i n t h e i r
. .

vi e w of wh at al l p re c e di ng philo s ophy h as

d one or l e ft undo ne ; wh e re our ow n r e as o n,

as w e ll as w e c an us e it , co nfi r ms t h e r e s ul t ,

i t s e e ms a w as t e of t i me t o at t e mp t t o b ol s t e r
u p t h e i r c on cl us i on, or t o r e vi e w an d re s t at e

t h e arg ume nt s fr om K ant d ow nw ard s , t h at

1
Dr . W h e we ll , P h of
. Di sc , p . 488 .
C . m,
. T HE SCIENCE or T RU T H . 69

h ave ne v e r b e e n ans w e re d i nt e lligibly , whic h

s how t h at t hi ng s in t h e ms e lv e s are unk n ow abl e .

Wh e n,t h e re fore ,Mr S p e nc e r s ay s , I f i t

.

b e all e g e d t h at w e c annot kn ow t h at t hi ng s
e xi s t as w e un d e rs t an d t h e m t o e xi s t , b e c aus e

w e c annot t rans c e n d co ns ci ou s nes s ,t h e n t h e re

i s at onc e t ak e n for g rant e d t he validi t y of

t h at t e s t who s e v alidi t y i s c all e d i n q ue s t i on ;

t he uni ve r s al p os t ul at e i s as s ume d an d d e ni e d

i n t he s am e b re at h 1
. We m e re ly ans w e r,no
”

yo ur univ e rs al p os t ul at e is ne i th e r as s ume d
n or d e ni e d , b e c au s e i t is unm e ani ng Y ou .

yo urs e lf h av e us e d in yo ur s o c all e d po s t ul ate -

th e w or d b e li e f, e i t h e r in t w o s e ns e s or in
n on e at al l ,for y ou c anno t or d o n ot t e ll us

in which s e ns e of yo ur t w o ack nowl e dg e d

s e ns e s y ou u s e i t .But t hi s wo rd b e li e f “

i nvol ve s t he wh ol e q ue s t i on at i s s ue , viz ,the .

t hi ng e x t e rnal t o t h e mi n d , an d t he t hi ng n ot

e x t e rnal b ut wi t hi n t he mi nd Th e re fo re , .

o u e i t he r co n t radic t yo urs e lf, or ar e i

y n a

s t at e of un me ani ng c onfus i on on t he s ubj e c t

of r e alis ti c b e li qf and tr ue k n ow le dg e .

Ide ali s m Cont r adi c te d by the L aws f

o
1
Ps y ch ol , p
. . 65 .
 70 PHILOSOPHY O R, [C . III ,§ 2
. .

L ang uag e —
H avi ng di s po s e d dog mat ic
of

r e ali s m wi t ho ut arg um e n t on t h e aut h or i t y

of t he re as o ns al re ad y add uc e d b y B e rk e l e y ,

K ant , and t h e i r follow e rs , t o p rov e m an s ’

ig noranc e of t hi ng s i n the ms e lve s ,w e as s ume

i t as al re ady cl e arly p rov e d , t h at all e x t e rnal
t hi ng s i n the ms e l ve s are unk now abl e ; t h at

w e k n ow and c an know not hi ng ab s ol ute ly

”
i n i t s e lf 1
In s ho rt , i t is cl e ar th at m an s
’
.

body s t and s b e tw e e n his mi nd an d e x t e rnal

nat ur e ,an imp as s abl e b arri e r , r e n d e ri ng e x t e r

n al t hi ng s i n the ms e lve s u nk now abl e , and re

d uc ing t he e nt i re s ph e re of man s k nowl e dg e

’

t o t he ph e n o me na or app e aranc e s which are

t rans mi t te d by t he h uman s e ns e s t o t he h um an

mi nd N e v e r th e l e s s ,e v e ry l ang uag e of e v e ry
.

h um an rac e ut t e rly co nt radic t s t hi s p hilos o

phi o c re e d Man i s a univ e rs al r e ali s t in
.

e ve r n at i on und e r t he s un ; e ve ry t o ng ue
y
O p e nly c ont radic t s t hi s philo s ophic co ncl us io n,
and e ve ry n ow an d t h e n w e may t h e r e for e

e xp e c t s om e word p uzzl e d philo s oph e rs t o

-

ari s e , w h o, co nfo un d e d b y t he co mmo n wo rd s

t h e y ar e comp e ll e d t o us e in ord e r t o e xpr e s s

1
rSi W H amil ton, L c t IX , vol i ,p 8 5
. e . . . . . .
C . m, T HE SCIENCE OF T RU T H . 71

i nt e lligibl y t o th e ir fe llow me n in
t h e m s e lv e s

ordi nary l ang uag e , w ill ag ai n and agai n

at t e mp t t o prov e t h at t h e i r wo rd s do m e an
t hi ng s i n t he ms e lve s , and will t ry t o us e t he
”

comm on co nv e nt io n or ag re e me nt of m anki nd
t o ov e rt urn a c re e d which o rdi nary l ang uag e

co nt radic t s in e v e ry wo rd In s pi t e of our
.

philo s ophy , wh e ne ve r w e t al k w e are c ous i

d e re d t o b e b oun d b y t he c ommo n co nv e nt io n
or ag r e e me nt of m ank i nd , and t h at our wo r d

tr e e , for e x ampl e ,m e ans t h e e x t e rnal t hi ng

“ ”

which ,w e s ay ,w e s e e and t o uch ,and n ot th at

mi nute i nfi ni te s im al p uls ati on which p as s e s
alo ng our op t ic or o t h e r n e rv e s , i n t o t h e g re
y
c e ll ul ar m at t e r of t he br ai n ; that s ome thi ng
which w e c an s t op and annihil at e In Its p as s ag e
by m e re ly nicki ng t he micro s c opic ne rv e ; that
s ome thi n which m us t in s om e w ay e xi s t i n
g
one or mo re of t he myri ad s of t he micro

SCOp ic c e ll s of which t he gr e c e ll ul ar m att e r

y
of t he h um an brai n vi s ibl y co ns i s t s Lang uag e
.

is t oo pow e rful , it s l aw s are t oo s t ro ng for

us t h e commo n ag re e m e nt of m ank i nd i s

fe l t t oo bi ndi ng t o b e t hrow n off,for w e c an

not s p e ak wi tho ut s ub m i tti ng t o it , and w e
 P HILOSOPHY ; OR , § 3 .

go on and c anno t avoid g oi ng on s p e aki ng

wi th our t ong ue s , c onc e rni ng the gre at e x
t e rnal t re e e xi s t i ng in nat ure , i ns t e ad of c on

c e rni ng t he mi nut e mic ros c opic c e ll s or th e i r

co nt e nt s ac t ually e xi s t i ng in our s e v e ral
brai ns But b e li e f is one t hi ng , and k now
.

le d g e anoth e r, and l ang uag e a thi rd T he .

r e ali s t ma b v r igh t i n his b e li e f, b ut he

y e e r
y
is c e r tai nly w r o ng in hi s all e g e d k nowl e dg e
an d i n re as on . Al th ough , t h e re fore , w e all
p rac t ic ally s ub s c rib e t o his b e li e f, i e , t o the
. .

ordi nary c re e d of manki nd t h at t hing s e x is t

'

e x t e rn al t o man , as me n g e ne rally s uppo s e

t h e m t o e x1s t , w e s ay , b e not afraid of mat e

rial is m fro m ad mi t t i ng cl e ar fac t and t rut h

co nc e rni ng the h uman b rai n, q ui t e c ons i s t e nt

wi th the doc t ri ne t h at e x t e rnal t hi ng s i n the m »

s e lve s are wh olly unk now abl e .

Be li ef o he R e al, K n ow le d e
f t g of the

Ide al S o far as I c an b e li e ve any t hi ng

which I do not k now , and which my re as on
t e ll s me t h at I c anno t m e nt ally k no w , I
‘

frankly s ub s c rib e t o t he ordi nary c r e e d of

r e ali s m,b e i ng at t he s ame t i me c onvi nc e d t h at
no amoun t of arg ume nt c an e v e r p r ove t o
 C
. m,
. T HE SCIE NCE OF T RUT H . 73

my mi nd the ac t ual e xi s te nc e of the i nk s tand

b e fo re me Th e re is no my s t e ry h e re e xc e p t
.

t he on e i ns ol ubl e m y s t e ry of h um an nat ure ,

t he unio n of body an d mi nd ; w hich my s t e ry

t he t ho ugh t ful p e as ant c an s e e as cl e arl y as

t he d e e p e s t phil os oph e r ; t he v as t my s t e ry of

t he co nj oi nt e xi s t e nc e of a m at e ri al b ody and

an i mm at e ri al mi n d ; of a livi ng p e rs on and a

dyi ng t hi ng co nj oi ne d in one my s te rio us whol e .

I f a man s e t s out b y r e s olvi ng t o b e li e ve in

t he e xi s te nc e of no thi ng b ut wh at c an b e

prov e d b y r e as o n,t h e n he had b e t te r s h ut his

e y e s and his e ars , for he c an n e v e r b e li e ve in

any t hi ng b ut t he e xi s t e nc e of him s e l f .

“
Wh at e ve r is agai ns t righ t re as o n,t h at no
”
fai t h c an oblig e us t o b e li e v e , b ut our fai t h
oug ht t o b e l arg e r t h an our r e as o n,and t ake
”
s om e thi ng i nt o he r h e ar t. I g o furth e r t h an
J e re my Taylor ,and s ay th at i t mus t be l arg e r
t h an our re as o n, an d t ak e s om e t hi ng i nt o our

i nte ll e c t t h at re as on c an ne v e r p ro ve ,not o nly

i n t ho s e high e r t ran s c e nd e nt al mo rali ti e s , b ut
i n t he low e s t and mo s t v ulg ar co nc re t e ac t u
alit ie s t h at are at t he e nd s of our n o s e s and

fi ng e rs
 PHILO SOPHY ; O R, [ 0
. III ,§ 3
. .

T he know le dg e of t he id e ali s t is not inc on

s i s t e nt wi t h t he c r e e d of r e ali s m
. It is the
man who has fo und th e t rue limi t s of his
k nowl e dg e who s e fai t h m us t b e at o nc e t he
g re at e s t and the m os t fi rmly e s tabli sh e d ,b e i ng
found e d on the rock of t r uth .

M anki nd b e li e v e s in t he r e ali t y of th i ng s ,
and w e c ann o t al mo s t us e a s i ngl e s e n t e nc e of

o rdi nary l anguag e wi tho ut admi tt i ng i n w or ds

th at b e li e f
. But t h at re ali t y , I s av wi t h
K ant and all his follow e rs , man is s o c ons t i
t ut e d , t h at he c an ne v e r know i t ; b ut I go

furt h e r : I s ay t h at man is s o co ns t i t ut e d,
t h at h e c an no t e v e n sp e ak o f, o r fo r m a ny
wo rd or s ig n wh at e v e r,t o e xp re s s or re p re
s e nt t h at r e ali t y in which ne v e rt h e l e s s his

n at ure an d his ci rc ums t an c e s co mp e l him t o

b e li e v e Th us I s ay t h at h uman l ang uag e is

.

in i t s o rigi n fo und e d on an ill us io n, a mi s

t ak e ; and t hi s i t is which in my O pi nio n li e s

at the roo t an d is t he t r ue s ol ut io n of al l t he

s q uabbl e s of P hilo s oph y .

Th e q ue s t io n has ne v e r y e t , as I c onc e i ve ,
b e e n pr op e rl y v e nt il at e d and ans w e re d , or
r ath e r I w ould m ore h umbly s ay th at the
 C m, T HE SCIENCE OF T RU T H . 75

ans w e r has b e e n l os t and b urie d in the p rid e

an d s e lf will of th e l e arne d W hat ar e w or ds ?
.

wh at is t r ue no mi nali s m I f w e c ons id e r
?

re ali s m as re fut e d , and d ogm at ic id e ali s m as

r e fut e d , and t h at the tr ue doc t ri ne is t h at
l aid dow n b y B e rk e l e y , K ant , and t he mod e
r at e of K ant s follow e rs d ow n t o Sir W
’
.

H amil t o n and P rofe s s or Fe rri e r,th at thi ng s i n

the ms e lve s are unk now abl e ,and t h at w e o nly
c an k n ow t h e ir app e ar anc e s or ph e nom e na r e

lati ve ly to our ow n mi nds , th e q ue s t io n s till

r e m ai ns , wh at p art do wo rd s t ake in h uman
k nowl e dg e ? Th e r e is s t ill the ol d m e di ae val
q ue s t io n abo ut n om inali s m j us t as uns e t t l e d ,
and in as g re at or g re at e r co nf us io n ,t h an e v e r .

1
( )
4 M e di wval R e ali s m, M ode r n Ide alis m .

—
It is t o b e ob s e rv e d th at the m e di ae v al c on
t rove rs y b e t w e e n r e ali s t and n omi nali s t , w as
diffe r e nt from t h at b e t w e e n mod e rn re ali s m
and id e ali s m, for t he m e di ae v al r e ali s t ag r e e d

wi t h th e m od e rn id e ali s t T he w or d re ali s t
.

has com e t o m e an a diffe re nt t hi ng S i n c e t he

,

d ay s of Re id T he anci e nt n omi nali s t s aid

.

t h at g e ne r al t e rm s ,i e ,uni ve r s al wo r d s , had
. .

no e x t e r nal r e pr e s e nt at iv e s in e x t e rn al nat ur e ,
 76 PHILOSOPHY ; OR , [ 0 . m, § 4 .

b ut w e re only c re at io ns of the h um an mi nd
t h e anci e nt r e ali s t s aid t h at t h e y had ; viz , .

wh at P l at o c all e d divi ne id e as . T he fun

d ame ntal p ri ncipl e of anci e nt n o mi nali s m
w as as foll ow s re ali t
y o nl
y e xi s t s i n i ndi

vid ual e x t e r nal t hi ng s . U niv e rs al s are m e re l y

n o t io ns of t he und e rs tandi ng w i thout r e al i t ,
y
which not io ns are only d e s ig nat e d obj e c t iv e ly
t h ro ugh l ang uag e , an d t h e nc e r e c e iv e an
app e aran c e of r e ali ty , al t ho ugh t h e y t h e m

s e l ve s n e i t h e r c ont ai n a re ali t , n or d o t he
y y
c orre s po nd t o a re ali ty T he p ri ncipl e of
.

anci e n t r e ali s m, on t h e co n t rary ,w as t hi s

t h e r e i s n o r e ali t i n i ndivid ual e x t e rnal

y
t hi ng s ; un iv e rs al s are t he t rue r e ali ty , an d

i ndi vid ual s , as s uch ,are o nly di s t i ng ui s h e d by

accid e n t s . T he anci e nt r e ali s t w as ne arly
id e ntic al wi t h t he mod e rn dogm at ic id e ali s t
in d e nyi ng t h e r e al i t y of e x t e rnal nat ur e as
We p e rc e i ve i t T he mod e rn dog mat ic re ali s t s ,
.

from Re id d ow nw ard s , ag re e in p ar t wi th t he
an ci e nt n omi nali s t , in as s e rt i ng t he r e ali t y of

e x t e r nal i ndi vid ual t hi ng s as w e p e rc e iv e

th e m .

But it is v e ry idl e and us e l e s s w ork di s c uss

C . m, T HE SCIE NCE OF T RU T H . 7

ing s chool s of t ho ugh t or p hilo s oph y T he .

r e ally i mpor tant q ue s t io n is , wh at w e o ug h t

t o t hi nk o urse lv e s , and h ow w e o ug h t t o

e xp r e s s i t .

T he anci e nt co nt rov e rs y b e t w e e n r e ali s t

and n omi nali s t ,w as a di s p ut e co nc e r ni ng t he

t hi ng s m e ant by univ e rs al s ,i e ,g e ne ral t e rms

. . .

Mod e rn i nd uc t iv e philo s ophy has s o fill e d

m e n s mi nd s s i nc e the d ay s of B aco n, t h at
’

me n h av e b e g un t o t hi nk t h at al l v e rb al
q u e s t io ns are m e re l
y d e se r vi n
g o f co n t e mp t ;
t h at me n c an g e t on wi t ho ut mi ndi ng wor ds

at al l ,and ,in s ho r t , t h at word s t ak e no p art in

i nd uc t iv e philo s ophy wh at e v e r Th e y t hi nk
.

t h e y are t al k i ng abo ut t hi ng s the ms e lve s

e xis t in i n e x t e r nal nat ur e in pl ac e of abo ut
g
t h e i r ow n w or ds for t hi ng s . Th e y t hi nk t h at
gravi ty , and forc e s , and affi ni t i e s , and p o
l ari ty ,&c ,&c ,are thi ng s r e ally e xi s t i ng in
. .

e x t e rn al nat ur e , an d n ot m e re h um an word s

for h uman im agi nat ions Th e y thi nk t h e s e

.

word s , and all s ci e nt ific wo r d s , r e pr e s e nt

e x t e rnal re ali t i e s , and not m e r e ly i nt e rnal
id e ali t i e s i nv e nt e d b y man for his ow n c on
ve nie nc e in t al k i n ,and which the br e ath of
g
78 PHILOSOPHY OR, [0 . III ,
. 5 .

man h e r e aft e r may blow t o n o thi ng s , w h e n

e v e r s om e gr e at e r t r ut h ma b e di s cov e re d or
y
r e v e al e d .

T Nomi nali s m I as s e rt t h at man

r ue .

c anno t po s s ibly s p e ak of e x t e rnal r e ali ty !

It is e nt i re ly b e y o n d his pow e r to s p e ak of
t hi ng s e x t e rnal t o his ow n mi nd . T he c on
ve n t i on an d ag re e me nt of m ank i nd c anno t

al t e r t he nat ur e of t hi ng s and word s .Our

ag re e me nt ab out our wo rd s c ann o t al t e r t rut h .

It is e vid e nt th at m an s wo rd s e i th e r h av e no
’

m e ani ng s ,and s o are e mp ty s o und s , or no

t hi ng b ut vib rat io ns of his l ary n x and p ul s a

t io ns of t he ai r, s ig n s u ni nt e lligibl e ; or, t h e y

are word s an d h av e m e ani ng s ,and ar e s ig ns

of th e t r ue me ani ng s i n t he mi nd , not s ig ns

of t he re al t hi ng s ,wh at e v e r t h e y are , of which

t he mi n d may s upp o s e i t s e lf t hi nki ng . Wh e n

I s ay my wo r d tr e e m e ans t he re al t re e ,I c on
t radic t my s e lf in ob e di e nc e t o or co nc ur re nc e

wi th th e commo n co nv e nt io n or agr e e m e nt of
m anki nd as t o l ang uag e My word c an m e an
.

my m e ani ng o nly ; my word c an o nly e xp re s s

my t ho ugh t , id e a,pe rc e p tio n ,co nc e p t io n,&c , .

my s t at e of mi nd : that s ome thi ng in the

 T HE SCIENC E OF T RU T H . 79

b rai n r mi n d which c aus e s my l ary n x and

g
t o ng ue t o s p e ak . My wo r d tr e e canno t p os
s ib ly me an any t hi ng b ut m o w n i n divid ual
y
t h ough t or m e ani ng , t he t hi ng in my ow n

mi nd upo n, or abo ut , or p rod uc e d by the re al

t re e , an d not the r e al t re e i ts e lf Man s
’
.

wo rd s , t h e re fo re , c ann ot po ss ibly m e an any

t hi ng b ut e ach man s ow n priv at e me ani ng s ,
’

c all t h e m b y wh at nam e y ou pl e as e ,t ho ugh ts ,

id e as ,imp re s s i ons ,s e ns at io ns ,re fle xions , c on
c e p t ions , r e p re s e nt at io ns , or i nt ui t io ns , &c .

wh at e v e r wo rd s w e choo s e , fr om ag e t o ag e ,
fr om s chool t o s chool , t o gi ve t o t he com
l e t e d ac t of t he mi n d in t hi nki ng , e n di ng i n
p
a vibrat io n of t h e lary n x ,or a s t rok e of t he

p e n
. W o r d s , t h e r e for e , i n t he ms e lve s , if in

te ll ig ib l e ,are not ,and c anno t po s s ibly b e ,s ig ns

of r e ali t i e s e x t e rn al t o t h e mi n d ,b ut on ly s i g ns

of t h ough t s or m e ani ng s in t he mi n d of t he

man us mg the word s It is , t h e re for e ,i mp os

.

s i b le for me n t o s p e ak of r e al t hi ng s e xc e p t

t he r e al t hi ng s in hi s ow n pe rs o nal i nd ivid ual

mi nd He c anno t S p e ak of his ne ighbo ur s

.
’

t ho ugh t s , b ut o nl y of his own t ho ug h t s of,

or upo n, or abo ut his ne ighbo ur s t ho ug h t s

’
 80 PHILO SOPHY ; O R, 5 .

t rans mi tt e d him b y his ighb our s

’
as to ne

word s , d e e d s ,s ig ns ,and sy mbol s .

H ow e v e r e arne s tl y ,t h e re for e , a numb e r of

me n may b e li e ve , and agre e in b e li e vi ng ,
t h at the l r w o rd s e nt ire ly and truthfully re p re
s e nt e x t e rnal t hi ng s , or i nt e rnal t ho ugh t s , as

t h e y re ally e xi s t , wo rd s , acco r di ng t o God s

’

co ns t i tut io n of man, c anno t do s o Word s , .

i n the ms e lve s , o nly re p re s e nt , and c an o nl y

r e p re s e nt t he t r ut hfully b e li e v e d t ho ugh t s in

t he mi nd , or t hi ng s in th e brai n, of e ach t r ue

t hi nke r , m aki ng , or ad op t i ng , an d s o us i ng

t h e wo rd s . T he m at e ri ali s t may s ay t hi ng s
i n t he brai n,w e s ay t ho ugh t s in the mi n d .We
are not now di s c us s i ng m at e ri ali s m , b ut w or ds .

T he o nl y r e ali ty , t h e re for e , of which man

c an po s s ibly , acco r di ng t o h is co ns t i t ut io n,

s p e ak or mak e any S ig n ,is the i nt e rnal re ali t

y
of his ow n t ho ugh t s in hi s ow n i ndivid ual

mi nd . He c anno t po s s ibly s p e ak of e wte r nal

r e ali ty ; or of any o th e r m an s i nte r nal re ali ty
’
.

S o lo ng as man is clo th e d wi th a body , s o

long m an s body m us t co nt i nue t o s t an d an
’

u t t e rly i mp as s abl e b arri e r b e t w e e n t he re ali ty

i n e ach m an s mi nd ,and all o th e r re al e xi s t

’
 THE S C IENCE OF T RU T H . 81

en e c wh at e v e r ,wh e th e r m e nt al , or bodily ,or

v e rb al
, e x c ep t on ly s u c h o t h e r i n de
p e n de n t

me n tal e x i s te nc e s ,wh e t h e r d e i t y ,d e mo n,s pi ri t ,

or ang e l , as c an com munic at e wi t h m an s
’

mi nd di r e c tly and s pi ri t ually , and not i ndi

r e c tl t h r o ugh his s e ns e s as man c om mun ic at e s
y
w i t h man .

Me n c an know t h e i r ag re e m e nt in word s ,
b ut t h e y c an k now the l r agre e m e nt in n o t hi ng
‘

e l s e wh at e v e r . Th e i r s e ns e s t e ll me n wh e t h e r
t h e y ag re e In t h e i r wo rd s , b y t h e i r ac t i ve ly

us i ng t he s am e word s ; b ut t h e ne v e r c an
y
k now wh e t h e r t h e y ag re e in t h e i r t ho ugh t s
or mi nd s Me n c an di s c uss t h e i r wo rd s ,b ut
.

t h e y c an di s c us s n o thi ng e l s e wh at e ve r ; t h e y

are p re v e nt e d by t h e ir c ons t i t ut io n fr o m e ve n

s p e aki ng t o the ms e l ve s of t hi n s as t h e y re ally

g
e xi s t e x t e r nal t o t h e ir ow n mi nd s . I c anno t
s p e ak or m ak e a S ig n t o my s e lf of t he re al

tr e e ,m uch l e s s c an I s p e ak it t o my n e ighbo ur,

b e t we e n who s e mi nd and my ow n, tw o imp as

s ibl e bodi e s are i nt e rp os e d To b e s ure ,w e
.

t w o c an e nt e r i nt o a c on v e n t i on or ag re e m e nt

abo ut our w or d s ,wh at w e s h all do, or s ay , or

thi nk ,wh e n w e h e ar , or r e ad ,or s e e ,or fe e l ;

E 5
82 PHILOSOPHY ; OR , m, § 5
[C . .

b ut our co nv e ntio n, our ag re e m e nt , c anno t

al t e r t he fac t , or in an w a aff e c t t he e x
y y
t e rnal fac t in nat ure , or the t r ut h of t hi ng s .

Our ag re e m e nt , t h at the s o un d or s y mb ol
tr e e s h all b e t ak e n b e t w e e n us t o b e t he s ig n

of t he r e al t re e , c anno t m ak e the s o und or

s ymbol i n i ts e
lf a S ig n or r e pr e s e n t at io n of t he

r e al t re e ,which is s e p arat e d from our mi nd s

by our bodi e s It s t ill r e m ai ns , wh e n I us e
.

t he wo r d ,t h e s ig n of the t ho ugh t in m mi nd ,
y
and, wh e n o u u t h wo r d ,t he S ig n of th e
y s e e

t h ough t in y o ur mi nd . It is s o,has alw ay s

b e e n s o, and will re mai n s o whil s t our mi nd s
ar e impri s on e d i n our bodi e s . Thi s is s impl e
fac t and t ruth ,unl e s s w e choo s e t o co nt radic t
o urs e lv e s , or t o s ay t h at t he t hi ng in my
mi nd n ow w ri t i ng , and t he t hi ng in y o ur
mi nd , re adi ng th e s e w or d s , are one and the
s am e t hi ng , which is mo s t c e r t ai nly ab s urd .

Al mo s t all the di s p ut e s of philo s oph e rs

h av e ari s e n from not s e e i ng , or e rro ne o us ly
s e e i ng t hi s t r ut h
. But it ne c e ss arily follow s ,
t h at all h uman k nowl e dg e ,all h um an s ci e nc e

c omm unic abl e fr om man t o man, whil s t i m

pri s o ne d in th e s e mor tal bodi e s , cons i s ts of

C . m .
, T HE”
SCIEN C E OF T RU T H
. 83

wo rds o nly , wo rd s e xp re s s i ng tho ugh ts in the

mi nd of t he t hi nk e r ,t ho ugh t s kn own o nly t o
hi ms e lf and s uch P ow e r s highe r t h an man,
by who m the p ow e r of re adi ng m an s tho ugh t s ’

is p os s e s s e d M e n s mi nds are diffe re nt ,m e n s

.
’ ’

s e ns e s , which co nv e t h e he n ome na t o t h e i r
y p
mi nd s ,are diffe re nt , and t he o nly f ac tor s in
k nowl e dg e which w e h av e in co mmo n,are our
w or ds .Th e re are t rut h s of mi nd ,and t rut h s
of bodi e s ,an d t rut h s of word s ,b ut th e o nly

po s s ibl e ag re e me nt b e t w e e n me n in r e s p e c t
of an y t rut h , i s ag re e m e n t in wo r d s , and in

wo rds only .Me n s ay t h e y h av e a k now

l e dg e of mi nd s , an d of bodi e s , and of wo rd s ;
b ut ho w e v e r e ar ne s t l y t h e y t hi nk t h at t h e y
ag re e in t h e ir k nowl e dg e of mi nd s an d bodi e s,

t h e i r only ag re e m e n t i s an ag re e me nt in th e

w ord s , s igns , and s y mb ol s e xpr e s s i ng t he

knowl e dg e .

W hy s ho uld w e b e afraid of thi s t ruth ?

M an s ag re e me nt in kn owl e dg e i s m e re ly
’

ag r e e m e nt i n word s ! I f any t re mbli ng b e

li e ve r , or any unt re mbli ng wo rship p e r of in
t e l l e c t , t he t w o e x t re me s of h uman fai t h and
fai thl e s s ne s s , t hi nks th at thi s co ncl us io n is
84 PHILOSOP HY ; OR , § 6 .

d ang e ro us , or lowe rs the digni ty of h um an

s ci e nc e , w e ans w e r , No It is t r uth , and
!

r ai s e s the di g ni ty of h um an word s ! We b e
com e b e t te r fi t te d t o b e li e v e t h at for e v e ry
“

idl e wo rd t h at me n do s p e ak t h e y s h all giv e

acco unt in t he D a o f J ud m e nt , and t h at
y g
by our word s w e s h all b e j us tifi e d , or b y
our word s w e S h all s t and co nd e m ne d .
”
Me n
t ally ! s piri t ually ! e ach man s t and s alo ne in

th e uni ve rs e of e xi s t e nc e , wi th his ow n mi nd

an d wi t h his ow n wo r d s , an d wi t h t he b e i n
g
or b e i ng s t o whom he is re s po ns ibl e . Man
c anno t g e t b e yo nd his mi nd , his bod y , and
t he d e e d s or s y mbol s mad e b y his bod y Thi s
.

i s a d e e p t ruth ,and wo r th y of e arn e s t re fl e c

t io n
. All agr e e m e nt in k nowl e d g e is o nly
a re e m e nt in word s
g .

T he Conve nt i on f
o L ang uag e —
But it
may b e as k e d ,is t h e r e any obj e c t io n t o the
mut ual co nve nt io n and agr e e m e nt of mank ind ,
t hat t h e ir word s s h all b e t ak e n and d e e m e d t o

s t an d as or b e s ig ns of t he r e al e x t e rnal e xi s t

e nc e s , or t he r e al i nt e rn al e xi s t e nc e s ,which

p rod uc e t he ph e nom e na which l e ad me n t o

s p e ak ,and giv e nam e s t o e x t e r nal t hi n s or
g
 T HE SCIENCE OF T RU T H . 85

i r l tho ugh
nt e na ts ? To which I wo uld re ply ,
t h at t o any h one s t b arg ai n or co n ve n t i on

b e tw e e n m anki nd , t h e r e c an b e no s o rt of Oh
j e c t ion , alw ay s provid e d m e n k e e p co n s t ant ly
i n mi nd t h at th e i r b arg ai n, t h e ir m ut ual .

a re e me nt an d co nve nt i on, i s n ot t r ut h and

cr

c anno t al t e r t he s ci e nt ific ne c e s s i ty , the .

n e v e r c e as i ng t r uth ,ar ISIn o ut of th e nat ure

g
of man hi ms e lf, a mi nd imp ri s o n e d i n a b ody ,

t h at in t rut h his wo r d s c an o nl y e xp re s s t he

priv at e t ho ugh t s in t he mi nd of e ach i ndi

vid ual t hi nk e r ; t h at the y c annot r e p re s e nt in
t r ut h , in t h e ms e lv e s ,any r e al e x t e rnal t hi ng s

wh at e v e r, or the r e al i nt e rnal t ho ugh t s or

ide as of any o th e r h um an b e i ng of which
re ali ty he t ri e s t o t hink , or d oe s t hink ,
Whe th e r t r ul y or fal s e l y .

But co nfus io n b e com e s i nt ol e rabl e ,and s c i

e nt ifi c dis c us s l on c an h av e n o e nd unt il e v e ry

s ci e nt ific man cl e ar l s e e s a n d hold s an d

y , ,
s ubmi t s t o t hi s t rut h . S ci e nc e and phi
l os op hy c anno t po s s ibly di s c us s , c anno t
po ss ibly s p e ak of r e al e xi s t e nc e s , m e nt al or
bodily ; t h e y c an o nly s p e ak of,or di s c uss
h um an w or ds
 86 PHILOSOPH Y ; OR, [ 0 .

Wh at t h e n is t ruth ,b ut t h os e t rue word s

which no man c an d e ny wi t ho ut ,at the s ame
t im e , c ont radic t i ng his ow n c ons ci e nc e , and

co nt radic ti ng his ow n wo rd s ? T he obj e c t of

t he h one s t logici an , of t he t rue phil os oph e r,

t he e arne s t an d t r ut hful t e ach e r and p re ach e r,

is t o t ak e t he wo rd s of m anki n d and t o t e ac h
t h e m t o t hi nk c or re c t ly , by us i ng w ord s c or

r e c tl , t o t e ach t h e m t h e t ut h which t h ir
y r e

w ord s ad mi t , and t o urge t h e m t o h old i t

fas t S ome wi s e man or s illy b e i ng has s aid ,
.

t h at w ord s are t he c ount e rs of wi s e me n and

t he mo ne y of fools . But , i n ord e r t o b e c ome

t r uly wi s e , me n m us t b e co me fool s , and t urn

t h e i r w ord s i nt o go od mo ne y , and fe e l t h at

e ve ry w or d t h e y u s e is wo r t h m ore t h an g old ,

for i t e mb odi e s t h e v e ry h e ar t and s pi ri t of

t h e man who t r uly us e s i t , an d for e t e rnal

w e al or w oe may affe c t t he li vi ng s pi ri t O f
e ve ry fe llow man t o wh os e e y e s an d e ars it

may co me , l ad e n wi t h e mo t io n, i nt e llig e nc e ,
s e nt i me nt , or wil l.

W ord s ! the o ffi c e of w ord s , th e re fore , is

t he p robl e m of al l philo s ophy . My wo r d s
c annot me an yo ur tho ugh t s ; y our wo rd s c an
C m,
. . T HE SCIENCE OF T RU T H . 87

n ot m e an my t ho ugh t s Me n c an ag re e in
.

t h e i r w ord s ,b ut t hi s is t h e o nl y ag re e m e nt t h at

ca n b e p os s i b ly know n b e t w e e n t h e m . Th e i r
t ho ugh t s m us t for e v e r , whil s t t h e i r mi n d s

ar e cl ot h e d wi t h bodi e s , r e mai n wholl a nd

y
e n t i re ly u nk now n t o e ach o t h e r . Th e y can
k now wh e th e r t h e i r wo rd s ag re e ; t h e y c an
n e v e r , i n t hi s wo rld , k now wh e t h e r t h e i r

t ho ugh t s ag re e ; b ut , from t h e ag re e me n t of

t h e i r wo r d s , t h e y c an t r us t and b e li e ve t h at

t h e i r t ho ugh t s do al s o ag re e . T wo h uman
mi nd s are ,in re ali ty , as compl e t e ly or more
co mpl e t e ly divid e d an d s e p ar at e d , t h an one
mi n d and on e e x t e rnal b ody or any ph e nom e na
i t pr e s e n t s
. T he word s of one man are o nl y
ph e no me na or app e aranc e s t o an o th e r ; th e y
s t rik e his e ar or hi s e y e t h e y s e e m t o r o us e

or s oo th e his r e s t l e s s s piri t ,or his i nt e l lig e nc e.

He adop t s ,he lo ve s , he us e s ,and agre e s t o

us e t h e word s ; t h e y s e e m t o co nve y t o his

min d the c e rt ai nt y of t r ut h T o him t h e y re

.

p re s e nt t r uth ; t h at S o me t hi ng for which he

migh t d are t o die , rat h e r t h an giv e it up , or
co nfe s s it t o b e fal s e ; th at t r ut h which he
k now s ; t h at t r ut h which he fe e l s ; that t r ut h
88 PHILOSOPHY ; OR , [ 0. c .

which has m ad e him fre e ! We m us t com e ,

t h e re fore , t o s ome rat io nal agre e me nt and

co nv e nt io n abo ut our wo r d s ,t he word s w e us e

in co mmon .

W o rd s ,w e s ay ,do not and c anno t e xp re s s

mi nd s or t hi ngs i n the ms e lve s ; or the p he
no me na of o t h e r mi nd s , or of ot h e r thi ng s , or

any t hi ng e l s e t h an t he t ho ugh t s or m e ani ngs

i n t he mi nd of e ach i ndi vi dual t hi nk e r and his

t ho ugh t s alone

Man s c onve nt i ons and mut ual ag re e m e nt s

’

abo ut w or d s , wh e t h e r for t h e p urp os e s of or

dinary life or for s ci e nt ific di s c us s i on,do not

al t e r t he r e al nat ure of wo rd s t h e ms e l ves

t h e y ar e t h e o nly re p re s e nt at i ve s of h uman

k nowl e dg e , t he o nly re c ord s of h uman s c i

e nc e. And s ure ly it is ti me t h at me n s ho uld
fe e l s o me re al re s po ns ibili t y for the Word s
t h e y us e ; s ur e ly it is t i me t hat me n of s c i

e nc e ,me n w h o p rofe s s t o l e ad and t o t e ach

t he ir fe llow me n , s h ould com e t o s om e rat i

onal ag re e me nt , s om e co nv e nt io n mo re s c i e n

t ifi c t h an t he ag re e me nt or co nv e nt i on m ad e

by e v e ry s av age und e r t he s un . Th e re are

t r ue t h ough t s,
We all admi t and b e li e v e it.

H ow are w e t o mak e , how are w e t o hol d

C; m,
. T HE SCIE NC E OF TRUTH 89

fas t ,t rue w o dWe h av e no thing e l s e in

r s ?

t he s h ap e of t r ut h t o offe r t o our fe ll ow me n

as t he offs pri ng of our mi nd s , b ut t r ue w or d s .

But p e rh ap s y ou may s ay , t h at w ord s ar e

al s o e x t e rnal t hi ng s ,an d, t h e re for e , i n the m

s e lve s unk n ow abl e lik e o t h e r e x t e r nal t hi ng s ;

b ut h e re li e s t he di ffe r e nc e b e t w e e n word s
and all o t h e r t hi ng s e x t e rnal or i n t e rnal .

M an s word s c an b e ,and are at the s ame t im e ,

’

and at di ffe re n t t im e s ,bo t h e x t e rn al an d l n

t e rnal t hi ng s t o di ffe re nt me n
’

. Th e y c an p as s
an d re p as s , al ong diffe r e nt m e ns inc arr i ng
’

y
ne rv e s ,and b ack ag ai n,alo ng t h e ir out c arry ing

ne rv e s ,and c an b e re t urne d fr om man t o man ,

re vi e w e d ,an d acc e p t e d or re j e c t e d ; or al t e re d

and i mp rov e d fro m a e t o a e ,as Man is er

g g p
mit t e d t o app roach ne are r and ne are r t o the
T ruth It is s ure ly ti me ,t h e re fo re ,t h at our
.

t ruth s s h ould r e c e iv e s om e i nt e lligibl e s h ap e ,

and t h at our wo rd s s ho uld h ave s o me s ci e nt ific

v al ue , s o me k n ow n an d ack n owl e dg e d s t an

d ard ,t o which me n of s ci e nc e s h ould c onfo rm .

Thi s is th e fi rs t s te p in ,and thi s is the r e al

p robl e m of all t r ue philo s ophy Le t us now
.

c ons id e r it Wh at is t rue nomi nali s m Wh at

.
?

are m an s word s in t r ut h ?
’
90 P HI L O SO P HY ; OR 1
.

CH A P T E R IV .

I E PRO BLEM
T I
'
OF PHILOSOPHY .
-
W ORDS .

( L )R e c ap i tu lati on .
—
fi
Le t rs t r e c a i t u
us p
l ate t he co urs e of arg ume nt hi t h e r t o adop t e d .

T he r e ad e r will h ave p e r c e iv e d t h at , s t art i ng

wi t h t he ad mi s s i on of ONE e xi s te nc e ,which w e
c all e d k nowl e dg e ,and which w e s h ow e d t h at no
on e c ould re fus e t o g rant us ,wi t h out s e lf c on -

t radic t ion ,w e ,by d e d uc t i on from t hi s WORD ,

s ig nifyi ng t he t hi n c all e d k n owl e dg e ,e r e c t e d

g
a TRINI TY of t hi ng s —
a mi n d ,a t h i n g , and a

wo rd ; t he t h re e f ac tor s in k nowl e dge , of

n e c e s s i t y , foll owi n g by d e d uc t i on from our

fi rs t as s ump t i on But , as k nowl e dg e is i t s e lf

.

pl ural , i ncl udi ng y our k nowl e dge an d mi ne ,

and t h at of e ve r y man an d b e i n g i n e xi s te nc e ,
C . T HE SCIENC E or T RU T H . 91

we h ave t hre e cl as s e s
c at e go ri e s , which w e
or

a
s y ar e t he n ame s of al l a d m i t t e d e xi s t e nc e s ,
n o ne of which c an b e d e n i e d t o us by any

man who s p e ak s , wi t ho ut he co nt radic t s

him s e lf, viz .

Mi nd s or m e nt al thi ng s ;
Thi ng s or bodily t hi ng s ;
And w ord s , s ig ns ,or s y mbol s -
v e rb al t hi ng s .

But ,as mi nd s and wo rd s are thi ng s ,w e a re

co mp e ll e d ,for cl e ar s p e aki ng ,to as s ume a ne w
name for t ho s e t hi ng s which are ne i t h e r mi nd s

nor w ord s and w e s h all c all t h e m b odies , s o

t h at our t h r e e cl as se s are m e nt al t hi ng s ,
—

bodily t hi ng s , and v e rb al t hi ng s , Mi n d s ,
B odi e s , and Wo rd s We thi nk and s ay , th at
.

no thi ng e l s e c an b e k now n or t ho ugh t of b ut

t h e s e t h re e an d t h e i r re l at io ns B e i ng , b y
.

pr e s ump tio n, or for the s ak e of argu m e nt ,

al t og e th e r ig norant of t h e s e t h re e t hi ng s ,
of t h e i r lik e ne s s e s , or t h e ir d iffe r e nc e s , or

of any thi ng ab out t h e m, s av e only t h e ir

ne c e s s ary t h at is , t h e i r ne v e r c e as i ng and
— -

di s t i nc t e xi s t e nc e , d e d uc e d f rom t he ne
—

c e s s ary or ne v e r c e as i ng nat ur e or me anin

'

g
-
92 PHILOSOPHY OR, § 1
.

of the e xi s t e nc e firs t admi t t e d , w e did , as

bo und b y the l aws of s ci e nc e and of s c e p t ici s m ,
t r e at t h e m at fi rs t ,as in r e as o n ,all alik e ,and

up t o t he p re s e nt t i me undi s t i n ui s h a bl e
g III

t h e ir n at ure and,t h e r e for e , as s ume d m e ce s

s arily li ke s y mbol s for e ach ,and c all e d t h o s e

s mbol s u ni ts By t hi p oc of m ki ng o
y . s r e s s a r

m anufac t uri ng w ord s or s y mbol s , w e fo und

o urs e lv e s at onc e in po s s e s s ion of one , t w o,
and t h re e uni t s ; an d t h e nc e by r e p e at i ng t he

proc e s s as oft e n as w e pl e as e ,addi ng uni t afte r

uni t , an d gi vi n g a n e w name at e ach s t e p ,w e

arri v e d at al l n umb e rs an d at al l s y mbolic

ari thm e tic . N umb e rs are , t h e re for e , m e re ly

acc urat e wo rd s or s y mbol s , or name s , for

b undl e s of uni ts or s ig ns ,m ad e alik e by me n .

N i ne , or the numb e r 9, me ans all t/ze uni ts in

ni ne , an d s o of e v e ry numb e r, as far as w e

choo s e t o c ount .

If ari th me t ic b e k nowl e dge , which i t c e r

t ainl y is ,it co ns i s t s m e re ly of s ig ns , s ymbol s ,

or wo rd s ,mad e alik e by me n one and on e are

t w o,t w o an d one are t hr e e , t h re e and one are

four t h us gi vi ng a n e w name at e ach s te p

—
.

We t h us wh olly avoid al l phil os ophic s q uab

“
C . T HE SCIENCE OF T RU T H . 93

bli ng bo ut abstr ac ti on ; for, s t ar ti ng wi t h

a

as s u me d ig noranc e of M i n d s , Bo di e s , and
Wo rd s , w e had nothi ng t o ab s t rac t ; and
as t o li ke ne s s and cl as s ific at io n , w e ac t ually

m ak e the lik e ne s s wi t h our m outh , ou r p e n,

or our p ri nt e r s ink Th us ,as Py t h agoras did
’
.

mo re t h an t w o t ho us and y e ars ag o, w e b e g an
Wi t h numb e rs as t he fi rs t found at i on of all
h um an t rut h and c e r tai nty our fi rs t s te p in
—

k nowl e dg e .

( )
Q . N u m b e r s ar e G e ne r al T e r ms or Un i

ne r s als N umb e rs , t h e re fo re , are wh at phi

“

—
.

l OS Op h e rs c all g e ne ral t e r ms , univ e rs al word s

—
me ani ng all t he uni t s in t he numb e r N i ne .

me ans all t he uni t s in ni ne ,and t e n all t he

uni t s in t e n and s o of e v e ry n umb e r,i t is a

g e ne ral te rm ,a univ e rs al w ord ,a S ig n,m ark ,

n ame ,or t ick e t t o a b undl e of uni t s b y whic h
—

w ord ,S ign,mark ,or name ,me n k now i t ag ai n

or mak e t h e i r fe llow me n k no w it ,who are abl e

t o mak e and us e t he s ame wo rd s or S ig ns ,and t o

s o c ount or b uild up numb e rs in t h e s am e w ay .

T h e c e rt ai nty of n umb e rs is ,t h e re fore ,t he c e r

t ai nt y of h uman wo rd s or S ig ns — Puni t s made

ali ke by m an s voic e ,and h and s , and l ab o ur

’
.
94 PHILOSOPHY ; OR, 2 .

We t h e n S p e nt a li t tl e t im e wi t h t he old l ogic al
d ame s ,Bar b ar a and Ce lar e nt,re fut ing a g re at
logici an s v e ry t rans p are nt ab s urdi ty of found
’

i ng t he c e r t ai nt y of nu mb e rs on i nd uc t i on,
which i t s e l f i ncl ud e s nume rat io n or numb e r s ,
an d is found e d t h e re o n ; an d not unwilli ngl
y
fo und o urs e l ve s rang e d on t he s id e of P l at o
and N e w t o n ,in O pp os i t i on t o Mill an d S p e nc e r .

We h av e s i nc e glan c e d at t h os e p robl e ms which

h av e di vid e d phil os oph e rs in al l ag e s , an d are
s t ill as uns e t t l e d as e v e r, not wi t h a vi e w of

di s c uss i ng t h e m,which is not t he obj e c t of

t hi s w ork , b ut in o r d e r t o S how t he ne e d of

s om e ne w e r an d b e t t e r fo und ati on for b uildi ng

t rut h on t h an has hi t h e rt o b e e n adop te d In .

S ho rt , I h av e i nt e nd e d t o l e ad the re ad e r up
t o t h e fe nc e w e h ave t o g e t o ve r in our h unt

aft e r t r uth a fe nc e mo re full of ugly pl ac e s ,

—

wh e re phil os o p h e rs h ave at t e mp te d t o c ros s

and b e e n lo s t , t h an any fe nc e i n E ngl and
'

viz ,how w e are t o s how by w or ds and s i g ns

.

li on) mor als and s i ns ar e

g to b e unde r s tood,how

w ord s are to b ane me fix e d

so and ne c e s s ary

me ani ng among s t p b i los op lt e r s an d s e ar e b e r s

fl
a er tr uth .
 T HE SCIEN C E OF T RU T H . 95

W he w e ll and M i ll on L ang uag e .

A l as ! p oo r h uman nat ure has b e e n g roani ng

an d S ighing aft e r t r ut h for s i x t h ous an d y e ars ,

and for one g rai n of wh e at She has g ot s ix

b ush e l s of ch aff at l e as t But all k nowl e dg e ,

‘

all s ci e nc e , all philo s ophy , t h at e ve r h as e x

i s t e d, or t h at e v e r c an , s o far as w e k n ow ,
e xi s t amo ng s t me n, m us t b e t h row n i nt o
w or ds or h uman s ig ns an d s y mbol s K now
.

l e dge , s ci e nc e , philos ophy , wi t ho ut w ord s ,is

an ab s ur di t y , a s e lf co nt r adic t i on
-
. S o me n
s e t out wi t h t h e i r w ord s t o b uild a t ow e r t o

r e ach H e av e n,an d t h e r e s ul t i s a B ab e l . Is
i t not s o, g e nt l e re ade r, l e arne d or unl e ar ne d ,
who has climb e d aft e r t rut h , or l onge d for
t r ut h t o c ome ou t of t he mi s t , at t h e t op of

t he b uildi ng , of l e arne d or unl e ar ne d wo rd s ?

I S t he found at i on y e t l aid ? W e c an ne i th e r
t e ach n or l e arn wi t ho ut l ang uag e , y e t r e ad

t he followi ng s e nt e nc e fr om one of t he mo s t

abl e an d mos t l e ar ne d me n in all E ngl an d

l e arne d in all the r ound of s ci e nc e s ,one who s e

ow n H i s t o ry of s ci e nt ific id e as is c alc ul at e d t o

do mo re t o S how us how t rut h and c e rtai nty

h as b e e n, or c an b e r e ach e d th an any mod e rn
 96 P HILOSOPHY ; OR , 3
.

w o rk t h at I k now of in E ngli s h . He ar Dr .

Wh e w e ll .

Lang uag e i s ofte n c all e d an i ns tr ume nt of

t ho ugh t ,b ut it is al s o the n utr i me n t of t ho ugh t ,

or rat h e r it i s t he at mos he r e i n w hich t ho ugh t

p
live s : a me di um e s s e nt i al t o the ac t ivi ty of
our s p e c ul at iv e pow e r, al t ho ugh i nvi s i b le and

i mp e rc e
p t i bl e in i t s o
p e r ati ons and an e le me nt
modify i ng b y it s q uali t i e s chang e s the
and

r ow th and compl e xio n of the f ac ulti e s which

g
” 1
it fe e d s .

H e re ,i nd e e d ,is a P ro t e an ch arac te r for Lan

g uag e T rut h is s i mpl e , and th e re is a t ruth
hidd e n und e r t hi s B ab e l of s ymbols W ord s , .

w e ar e t old , are an i ns t r um e nt , a nut rim e nt ,

an at mos ph e re ,an e s s e nt i al m e di um,an e l e

m e nt , i nvi s ibl e , imp e rc e p t ibl e in its ac t ion

y e t t h
’

at ac t io n modifi e s m an s fac ul t i e s ! I S ’

t hi s t he s i mplici t y , t he c e rt ai n t y of t r uth ?

I S it not p ass i ng s t rang e t h at abl e and l e arne d

me n s h ould go on diggi ng for go ld wi t h no ;

b e tt e r pick ax e th an w h at D r Wh e we ll S o .

raphic all d c rib e s as t he lan ua e of s ci e nc e

g y e s
g g
1
W he w l l , H i t
e s . Sc ie n . Id
e as . B ook III , h a
. c p . x,
.
C IV ,
. . T HE SCIENCE OE T RUT H . 97

and philo s ophy ? And th e H i s t ory of

“

”
S ci e nc e is ,h e t e ll s us ,his D ic t i onary rat h e r —

an e x t e n s i ve dic t io nary t o op e n and t ur n u ,

p
in ord e r t o und e rs t an d t hi s n ut ri t io us ,in
“

s t rume n t al at mos ph e re , or t o arriv e at t he

“
i nvi s ibl e O p e rat i ons of this e s s e ntial m e di um
upo n man s fac ul t i e s
’
H e ar Mr Mill ,on the
.
”
.

o t h e r h an d , his logical opp one nt

We t hi nk ,i nd e e d ,t o a co ns i de rabl e e x t e nt
by me ans of name s [w ord s ] , b ut wh at w e
t hi nk of are t he t hi ng s c all e d b y t ho s e name s .

Th e re c anno t b e a g r e at e r e r r or t h an t o ima
!

gi ne t h at t h ough t c an b e c arri e d on wi t h
n o t hi ng i n our mi n d b ut n ame s , or t h at w e

c an mak e t he nam e s t hi nk for us

1 ”
.

But th e n name s , me re d e n o t at i ve s ,s ay s Mr .

Mill , h ave , s tr i c t ly sp e aki ng , no s ig nifi c a

“

t i on, s o t h at w e t hi nk of t hi ng s ,an d, t o a

c o ns id e rabl e e x t e nt , by me ans of n ot hi ng s , or

t hi ng s wi t h n o S l g nifi c at ion D r W h e w e ll
. .

d e s c rib e s a P rot e us , an i nvi s ibl e air, modify

i ng m an s fac ul t i e s
’
. P ugh ! s ay s Mr Mill , ”
.

e ne r al t e rm s h av e no s ig nific at io n Thi
“
g s .

1
Logic,i ,p . . 2 00 .
98 P HILOSOP HY ; O R, [ C . m ,§ 4 .

Pr ot e us is ,s t ric tly S p e aki ng ,nothi ng ; b ut w e

t hi nk t o a c o ns id e rabl e e x t e nt by me ans of it ,
”
ne v e rt h e l e s s H e re is a nic e di s p ut e ab out
“

wo rd s an d l ang uag e b e t we e n t w o of the abl e s t

me n in E ngl an d, b ut the di s p ute is as old as
philo s ophy i t s e lf .

( 4
.
T h e L og i c a l R e s ul t—
In s uc h a philo
S ophic di s p ut e , if b ound t o ch oos e , I s ho uld
p re fe r s idi ng wi th t he man w ho, at l e as t , d oe s
not c ont radic t hi mse lf . D r Wh e w e ll s ay s
.

word s are s ome thi ng ,an d adh e re s t o i t Mr . .

M ill s ay s t h e y are nothi ng , and d oe s not

adh e r e t o i t ! Thi s is t he logic al vi e w of
t h e di s p u t e . But w e are di s c us s i ng t he fun
dame nt al me ani ng , n ot t he l ogic al us e of
wo rd s Ad am S mi t h s aid th at w e migh t gi ve
.

any man a for t nig h t t o t e ll us t he me ani ng of

”
t he w or d of, an d at t h e e nd w e ne e d
,

h ar dly e xp e c t a rat i onal ans w e r . H o rn e

T ook e s ol ve d t h at p robl e m by an i nd uc t io n ,

w hich i nduc e s mo s t E ngli s h me n t o b e li e ve

t h at all w ord s w e re ori g i nally n ouns or v e rb s .

Wh e n w e hav e g ot th at l e ng t h ,i t is ve ry
e as y , and I s a n c a ry , for a l ogici an t o
y e e s s

re d uc e t he m al l to no uns or name s co nne c te d

 C. Iv ,
. T HE SCIE NCE OF T RU T H . 99

by t he Cop ul a Joh n b e at s H arry ,m e ans o nly

.

J oh n is [a b e ate r of H arry ] Wi th t he g re at e s t
.

d e fe re nc e t o D r Wh at e ly and Mr Mill , I
.
.

v e nt ure t o thi nk at t rib ut iv e s and conno t a

t ive s wh olly out of pl ac e in logic ,in all t rue
m e ntal re as o ni ng , howe ve r n e e dful th e y may
’

b e in or d e r t o t rans l at e our r e as o ni ng i nt o
ordi nary l ang uag e and g rammar . T he c op ul a
app e ars t o me t o e xp r e s s alw ay s e xi s t e nc e or

e uali ty p r op os i t i on or an e q uat io n
q a .

A nal ogy , or quali t at iv e re as o ni ng , is t he

e uali t of rat io s A r at i o i s cl e arly a
q y .

m e nt al e xi s t e nc e Las t ly ,by q uant ifyi n g t he

.

p re dic at e , in my op l mon, e ve ry affi r mat i ve

p rop os i tio n c an b e r e d uc e d t o an e q uat i on
b ut t o re d uc e a ne g at i ve p r op os i t i on may re
'

q ui re the i mp os s ibl e q uant i t y .

H avi ng t h us s h ortly all ud e d t o the e xi s t i ng

s tat e of t h e s ci e n c e of wo rd s in E ngl and , by

t w o g re at e x ampl e s of it s co nfus i on ,I p roc e e d

t o d e mons t rat e wh at w or d s ar e i n t h e ms e l ve s ,

an d i n fac t and t r ut h In t r ue t h ough t ,if

w e are co ns i s t e n t in t he us e mad e of l ang uag e

b y al l me n wh oms oe v e r .

A ll Ge ne r al Wor ds ar e Numbe r s —
We
F 2
100 PHILOSOPHY ; OR , 5 .

h ave a lre ady d e mons t rat e d th at ari th me t ic al

n umb e rs are g e ne ral t e rm s ,or univ e r s al s ,i e ,
. .

wo rd s S ig nifyi ng all the uni ts co mp ris e d und e r

t h e name . T e n me ans all t he uni t s in t e n,an d
fifty all the uni t s in fifty P ur e ari th me t ic al
.

n umb e rs ,t h e r e for e ,are g e ne ral t e rms ,t he o nly

p e rfe c t o ne s in any l anguag e ,e ach numb e r is .

di s ti nc tly mark e d an d s e p arat e d from e ve ry

oth e r numb e r,wh e t he r our n umb e rs are for me d

on t he bi nary , q ui nar y , d e ci mal ,p r any oth e r

s y s t e m of ari t h me t ic , and as far as e ve r w e

c an co unt , i e , t ill w e choo s e t o l e ave off

. . .

A s all numb e rs are g e ne ral t e rm s ,s o I s ay

al l g e ne ral t e rms are numb e r s . Thi s is a
t rut h which e ve ry p e as an t who e v e r s pok e ,as

w e ll as e v e ry phil os oph e r w ho e v e r w rot e or

S p ok e ,has , I s ay , ad mi tt e d ,and mus t ad mi t .

Of co urs e , as l ong as e rro r e xi s t s,me n m us t

co nt radic t th e ms e l ve s .All e rror may b e
r e d uc e d t o s e lf c on t radic t i on , for w e c anno t
-

r e as o n wi th a man t ill he will ad mi t s o me

t hi ng , and t he obj e c t of t he t rue and fai t hful

l og ic ran Is t o g ain the admis s IOn of a t rut h

from which t he s e lf c ont radic tio n may b e de
-

mons t rat e d . But al l phil os oph e rs h av e a d

C . T HE SCIENCE OF T RU T H . 10 1

mitte d in man t he pow e r t o g e ne r ali z e , or

mak e g e ne ral t e rms by ab s t rac t io n Now , .

t he me ani ng of ev e ry g e ne ral t e rm , in e v e ry
l ang uag e und e r t he s un,is ,t h at it S h all s t an d
for and re p re s e nt t he clas s ; the rob ole numbe r
of t hi ng s c all e d by t he t e rm or name . Wh e n
e v e r w e use the wo r d man or tr e e ,w e alw ay s ,

wh e th e r p e as ant or phil os oph e r, m e an the

rohole n umb e r of t hi ng s c all e d me n or t r e e s ;

man m e ans all manki nd , the w hole numbe r

“

of me n who e v e r did , or do , or s h all e xi s t ,

re fe rre d t o by the S p e ak e r . T he s am e is
t rue n ot o nly of vi s ib l e b odily t hi ng s , b ut

of i nvi s ibl e m e nt al t hi ng s ; s ay , vi r t ue or

i nte ll e c t We m e an by vi r tue the rvhole

.

nu mb e r of me ntal t ho ugh t s an d a c t s c all e d

vi rt uo us , or by i nte lle c t t he w hole n umbe r of

m e ntal p ow e rs or p roc e s s e s c all e d i nte ll e c t ual
.

A cl as s ,ki nd , or family , is the rob ole numbe r

uni ts c all e d by t h e name
of of t h e cl as s
.

G e ne ral t e rms or name s , t h e re fore , s ig nify t o

e v e ry man who un d e rs t and s th e l ang uag e the

rob ole numb e r of the uni ts of the cl as s c all e d

by t he g e ne ral nam e E v e ry man who s p e ak s

.

i nte lligibly admi ts t hi s ; th at e v e ry g e ne ral

 PHILOSOPHY OR , 5 .

or un iv e rsal wo rd is a numb e r, t he w hole

numbe r , s o c all e d .

But y ou will s ay , w e d on t k now the ar i th

’

me ti c al numbe r of the cl as s ! W e ll , wh at o f
w e did n ot k now the numb e r of t h e
‘

t h at ?

pl ane t s t ill Le Ve rri e r and Ad ams di s co ve re d

m at h e mat ic ally an i nvi s ibl e pl ane t ,and t h e re
are , no do ub t , o t h e rs e t un di s co ve re d B ut
y .

t he wo r d pl ane t me an s al l t he pl ane t s t h at

e xi s t , n ot th os e o nly which w e h ave s e e n w i t h

our t e l e s cop e s. It me ans t he w hole numbe r

of pl ane t s goi ng ro und our s un,wh at e ve r t h e ir
n umb e r ma b T hl S 1s a t rut h of w ord s
y e
.

which e ve ry man in t he wo rld , s av age and

civiliz e d , e xp re s s ly ad mi t s E v e ry g e ne ral
.

t e rm m e ans and i ncl ud e s the rvhole n umb e r

of uni t s c all e d by t h e g e ne ral t e rm . Le t us

hold t hi s t ruth fi rm and fas t ,and k e e p it ,and
n ot co nt radic t o ur s e lv e s by us i ng at on e t i me

our word s , lik e al l t he r e s t of t he w orld , t o

s ig nify the w hole numb e r of t hi ng s c all e d by

t he name , and t h e n s ay , lik e Mr Mill , at .

an o t h e r t i me , t h at our w ord s are me re d e no

t at ive s , and h av e , s t ric tly s p e aki ng , n o S l g

”
nifi c at ion . Thi s is s e l f c ont radic t ion ; it is
~
“
C . m ,s T HE SCIENC E OF T RU TH . 103

o
e rr r, and not t r ut h . It is , or se e ms t o me ,

t he fund am e n t al e rro r in Mr Mill s P hil o .

’

s ophy , th e c ont radic t io n t h at co nfo und s an d

co nfus e s his mi n d .

We ll ,th e n , a g e ne ral word is a w hole num

be r , an d a n umb e r is a numb e r of uni t s But .

t he uni t s me ant by a wo r d are n ot t h e uni t s

m e ant by a n umb e r,whi ch w e mus t n ow c all

an ari th me t ic al n umb e r ,t o di s t i ng ui s h it from

a ve rb al numb e r But s t ill t h e y are uni t s

. .

One man or one pl ane t i s a uni t q ui t e as

m uch as one dot or one s t rok e ,or as an ari th
m e t ic al uni t mad e on p ap e r, and c all e d one
un i t . T he uni t s of e v e ry w or d are di ffe re nt
from t he uni ts of ot h e r w ord s , b ut t h e y are
al l uni t s , me n, t r e e s ,l aw s , or at t rib ut e s ;

mi nd s , b odi e s , wo rd s , or rat io s , al l are uni ts .

A ll Ge ne r al T er ms ar e P r oduc ts .

N ow , as we mad e i h me tic al uni ts alik e

our ar t

by d rawi ng s t rok e s upo n p ap e r,for e x ampl e ;

s o w e c an make our v e rb al uni t s alik e by
d rawi ng wo rd s up on p ap e r, which w as c om
m ouly c all e d by t he G re e k s d e fi ni ng the
e ne ral t e rm I t i m e re ly t aki ng w ord s ,
g . s

s i ns ,or s ymbol s ,which w e e i t h e r m ak e or s e e

g .
l 04 PHILOSOPHY OR , [ C . IV ,
. 6 .

If we l ook t h ro ugh di s t o rte d l e ns e s or c ol oure d

s p e c t acl e s , our uni t s are l ik e ly t o b e d raw n

di s t ort e d or c ol oure d But it is the obj e c t

.

of di s c us s i on t o r e mov e the s p e c t acl e s ,or s ay ,

for e x ampl e , t o re mov e the s t e re os c op e , and

Sh ow one s olidi ty v ani s h e d ,and t w o pic t ure s ,
b ot h flat , i ns t e ad of one pic t ure app are ntl y
q ui t e s olid. W h at p as s e s fo r t h e m o s t s olid

t rut h is s om e t i me s al t og e t h e r fl at ,s tal e ,and

unp r ofi t abl e .

I f, for e x ampl e , I s ay t h at e ve ry man is

comp os e d of body and mi nd ,and t h at e ve ry
m an s mi nd is co mpo s e d of s oul and s pi ri t ,
’

th e n,wh e n I s p e ak of m anki nd , I m e an the

w hole numb e r of uni t s , e ach uni t b e i ng c om

po s e d of b ody s o ul s pi ri t , t h at e v e r we re
or e v e r c an b e c all e d me n, an d my w or d man,

m anki nd , or me n, m e ans , and i nclu d e s , and

e xp re s s e s all t he b odi e s , al l t he s oul s , and all

t he s pi ri t s of manki nd . A ri th me t ic al uni ts
are S i mpl e uni t s ,b ut me n are c ompo un d uni ts .

But e ach body is al s o a uni t , and e ach s oul

is al s o a uni t , and e ach S pi ri t of man is al s o
a uni t , s o t h at m wo rd man , me ani ng t he
y
w hol e numb e r of me n,i ne ans the s um o f t he
 T HE SCIENCE OF T RU T H 100
V

su ms of t h e s e compo und i t s ,and that ,I s ay ,

un

is a p r oduc t, or man b ody s o l s pi ri t ,

X u X

or a S pi ri t i nt o a s oul i nt o a b ody Thi s is .

cl e arly d e m ons trabl e .

To the ari th me tici an w ho has p rop e rl y

l e arnt t he g rou nd s and e l e me nt s of his s ci e nc e ,
I s ay t h at thi s is manife s t T he s ummat i on .

of e q ual co mp oun d uni t s is mul t iplic at i on .

E ve rybody k now s th at t h re e t i me s four me ans

addi ng t h re e fo urs i e , t h re e co mpo und
—
. .

uni t s of four e ach —

or four t i me s t h re e is

addi ng four t h re e s —
i e ,four c omp oun d uni t s
. .

of t h r e e e ach —
t h at i s , in mul t iplic at i on t o

fi nd the p r oduc t w e add c omp oun d uni t s ,

in the one c as e of fo ur ,i n t he oth e r c as e of
t hr e e ,th e re fore ari th me tic al numb e rs are b un

dl e s of s impl e uni t s ,and p r oduc ts are b undl e s

of compo un d uni t s ; and g e ne ral w or d s , or

v e rb al numb e rs , are p r oduc ts of c omp ound

uni t s . Of co urs e the re ad e r will und e rs t an d
t h at t he ch oic e of lik e ne ss e s , family or cl ass

lik e ne s s e s , which mak e s man t ick e t a b undl e

of s uch co mpo und u ni t s wi th a name , wo rd ,

or g e ne ral t e rm , d e p e nd s e ntire ly on t he t r ue
Or fal s e p e rc e p tio ns which we h av e ob t ai ne d of
F 5
106 PHILOSOPHY ; OR ,

one or more of t he We c an e i th e r
un t si .

c hoos e wh at w e b e li e v e t o b e t r ue lik e ne s s e s ,

as I h av e do ne in s ayi ng b ody ,s o ul ,and s pi ri t

for man , or e l s e fal s e l ik e n e s s e s , and fi nd

v e ry li t tl e diffic ul ty in maki ng ge ne ral t e r m s
t o e xpre s s our me ani ng But w e c annot l e av e
.

w e l l e s tabli s h e d lik e ne s se s out of w e ll k now n

and und e rs t ood wo r d s ,if w e wi s h t o b e und e r

s t ood . S om e t i me s me n do n ot wi s h t o b e
und e r s t o od, and mo re oft e n t h e lik e ne s s e s are

n e i t h e r w e ll k now n n or w e ll e s t abli s h e d But .

n o on e c an p os s ibly d e ny th e fac t t h at e v e ry

g e ne ral t e rm or name is a whol e numb e r, and

is t he p r oduc t of t he g e ne ral t e rms which
e xp re s s t h e lik e ne s s e s of t h e cl as s of com

po und uni ts c all e d by the name I s ubj oi n at .

t h e e nd of t hi s ch ap t e r, a mo re s t ric t or

s ci e nt ific d e mo n s t rat i on of thi s t rut h , w h ich

I fi rs t p ubli s h e d ne arly t w e nty y e ar s ag o ;

b ut t he g e ne ral r e ad e r will p rob ably ad mi t ,
as p r ov e d b y t he e x ampl e ab ov e , t h at e v e ry

g e ne ral ab s t rac t t e rm is t he p ro duc t of t he

ab s t rac t lik e ne s s e s of it s cl as s of uni ts .

D e notati ve s and Connotati ve s , or A t

tr i b uti ve s .
—
T he di s t i nc t io n b e t we e n d e no t a
C . Iv ,
.
g T HE SCIENCE OF T RU T H . 107

t ive s and c ib ut i ve s , ap
onn ot at ive s , or at t r

p e ars , t o my mi nd , me re me n t al c onfus i on .

It i nt rod uc e s g rammar int o logic , and in t ro f

d uc e s i nt o phil os ophy , s e c re tly , and n ot

O p e nly ,t he not ion th at one thi ng c annot b e
t he att rib ut e of an o t h e r t hi ng , t h at t h e re is

s om e fund ame nt al an d ad mi t t e d c ont radic

t io n or di s t i nc t i on b e t w e e n an oly e c t and i t s
'

fo rm, c ol our, or oth e r at t rib ut e s ; b ut if t hi s

b e the fac t ,i t s h oul d b e p rove d ,not as s ume d .

It is q ui t e t r ue , t h at in ordi nary l ang uag e

me n di s t i ng ui s h b e t w e e n t h ough t s and t hi ng s ,
b e t w e e n m e nt al and b odily e xi s t e nc e s But
‘

t hi s di s t i nc t i on i s t h e di s t i nc t io n b e t w e e n

Mi nd s and B odi e s , an d n ot a di s t i nc t i on in
Wo rd s All w ord s ,in logic , are at t he s ame
.

t i me d e no t at iv e s an d c onnOt at ive s , and me an

m e nt al e xi s te nc e s , i e ,me an at the s am e t i me
. .

bo th t h ough ts an d t hi ngs And al tho ugh a

.

man ch oos e s t o s ay he is r e as onmg ab out e x

t e r nal bodily e xi s t e nc e s , or o th e r me n s me nt al
’

e xi s t e n c e s , e t i t i s cl e ar , as w e h ave al re ady
y
s how n an d p rove d , t h at he is o nly re as o ni ng ,
‘
an d c an only r e as on , abo ut wh at 18 In his ow n

mi nd ; ab out his own t ho ugh t s of s uc h e x

108 PHILOSOPHY OR , [ 0 . m, 7 .

te rna l bodily or m e nt al e xi s t e nc e s , and not

ab ou t t he e x t e r nal e xi s t e nc e s t h e m s e l ve s .

But t o as s um e as w e ll fo und e d an o rigi nal

di s ti nc ti on i n w or ds ,and t o c all the name s of
s om e se ns ibl e obj e c t s diffe re nt fr o m ot h e r
'

wo rd s c all e d name s of our id e as ,or o f c on

not e d or c onn ot ab l e at t rib ut e s of s uch obj e c t s ,

is t o e nabl e t he r e as o ne r t o as s ume at any

t i me as w e ll found e d a di s t i nc t i on i n t he

t hi ng s t h e ms e lv e s , i e ,b e t w e e n t he vi s ibl e or
. .

s e ns ibl e obj e c t s and t he me nt al lik e ne s s e s or

at t rib ut e s w e di s c ove r in and att rib ut e t o

th e m . We s ay , th e re fo re , t h at e ve ry nam e ,
whe t h e r g e ne ral or i ndi vid ual , e ve ry wo rd,
wh e t h e r univ e rs al or S i ng ul ar , has , in ho ne s t
logic ,s ome m e ani ng ,s o me tho ugh t ,s om e id e a
at t ach e d t o i t , and is , at the s ame t i me , b ot h

d e not at iv e and co nno t at i ve , and it d e no t e s an

e xi s t e nc e s ol e ly by i t s co nn o t at iv e me ani ng .

We c an t urn e ve ry wo rd int o an adj e c t ive ,

and b e p e rfe c t l y u nd e rs t ood , s o far as t he

m e ani ng is fix e d T h1s 1s t r ue e v e n of p rop e r

.

n ame s S i ng ul ar ; Socr at ic , P l at o nic , K an t i an ,

c onnote c e r tai n lo os e id e as of th e i ndi vid ual s ’

phil os ophy S o in any family ,any p e c uli ari ty

.
C m,
. T HE SCIENCE OF T RU T H . 109

of t he i ndivid ual is at tach e d t o the i ndi vid ual

name S uch e xp re s s i o ns as Corni ng J oh n
“
.

Ov e r me w ould b e p e rfe c tly und e rs t o od if

J oh n had any p e c uli ari ty s uffi c ie ntly mark e d '

t o j us t ify t he e xp re s s i on ; and e ve ry i ndi

vid ual has s uch p e c uli ari ti e s k now n t o his

i ntim at e as s oci at e s All E ngl and rang for
.

s o me y e ars wi th t he nam e of B urk e , t he

murd e re r,and e ve ry ki nd of viol e nt de s t ruc
tio n w as for a t i me c all e d B urk i ng. T he
Re fo rm Bill w as t o b e B urk e d , &c . And,
a f or ti or i , all g e ne ral name s are al w ay s at
t he s am e t i me bo t h d e not at i ve s an d co nn ot a

t ive s , and s ig nify b ot h t ho ugh t s an d t hi ng s ,

,
.

T he di s t i nc ti on,in Sh or t s e e ms t o me only a
co ve r t and s e c re t w ay of qui e tly as s umi ng a
di s t i nc t i on b e tw e e n c e rt ai n t hi ng s an d c e r t ai n

o t h e r thi ng s ; b e t w e e n s om e id e as of e x t e rnal
obj e c t s , and s om e id e as of o t h e r obj e c t s ,not
ob j e c ts of our e x t e rnal s e ns e s .

If s uch di s t i nc ti on e xi s t s ,i t m us t b e p rov e d ,
no t as s um e d ,as a di s t i nc t i on of rvor ds .All
wo rd s are name s of t hi ng s , and c onn ote the
id e as or t h ough t s which gi ve ri s e to, or are
at t ach e d t o t he t hi ng s . All word s are , in
110 PHILOS OPHY OR , 7 .

t ru t h , t he b odi e s or e mb odi me nt of th ough t s ,

and it is as ab s ur d an d e rrone ous t o t re at

w ord s as b e i ng e ve r at any t i me me re mark s

or d e notat iv e s , as t o t r e at t h e d e ad b ody of a

man as b e i ng a man : t o t re at a d e ad b ody

wi t ho ut a mi nd as a man, is , in t ruth , t he
s ame t hi ng as t o t re at a w ord as a me r e mar k

or d e not at i ve o nly . I f a w ord e ve r b e c ome s

s uch , i t is d e ad , i t c e as e s t o b e a s ig n of an
y
t hi ng wh at e ve r ,it h as b e co me an e mp ty an d

u n m e an i ng s ou nd , a n u n i n t e lligibl e ~bl ot .

It is t h e d ut y , t h e r e fore , of e ve ry one w ho
r e as ons ab ou t w or d s ,t o e xp re s s t h e
f ac tor s

Which i n his O pi ni on g o t o form t he w ord s .

I f he s ay s t he w ord is s i mpl e and inde c omp o

‘

s abl e , t h e n he i s b oun d t o S how h ow , or by

wh at ob s e rvat io n or e xp e ri me nt, the th ough t

c an b e p rod uc e d i n hi s mi nd ; t o S h ow wh at

ac t or wh at ac t io n of body or mi n d p rod uc e s

t he t h ough t t o which he 1nt hnds his wo rd t o

b e appli e d by his fe llo w me n .

Le t us now p roc e e d , if po s s ibl e ,t o e xhibi t

s o me e x ampl e s of t h e t h e o ry of w ord s which

w e h ave b e e n e n d e avo uri ng t o e s t abli s h . We

h av e d e d uc e d the word or t ho ugh t of numbe r
.
C . T HE SC IE NCE
’

or T RUT H . 11
~

fro m our fi rs t as s u mp t io n , an d we s ay t h at
t i me and s h
ac e are gh t s , an d can al s o b e
t ou
p
d e d uc e d from our fi rs t po s t ul at e , an d t h at
t h e y ar e n ot , as K an t s upp os e d , me re vag ue ,

un me an i ng s ome thi ng s ; r ms
f o of t h ough t

n e c e s s ary t o al l o t h e r th ough t s , and y e t n ot

t h ough t s t h e ms e lv e s .

We d e ny K ant s as s ump t io ns , and p rop os e

’

t o s ub s t i t u t e i n t h e i r pl ac e s ome cl e ar and

d e fi ni te id e as and t h ough t s t o b e att ach e d t o

t h e s e my s t e r i ous wo r d s ,as s om e phil os oph e rs

h ave c ons id e re d t h e m, N umb e r , Tim e , and

S p ac e .

NO TE .T p o
—
O thi t uth ; t h t
r ve s yg r l t m a e ve r e n e ra er

g l which e p e th lik
is t h e p r oduc t of t h e e n e ra t e r ms , x r ss e e

ne sse s of t h e cl
as s of om ou n c p di c ll d by t h n am ,to
u n ts a e e e

h phil ph
t os e oso e r s w h o g e t ove rg ical p obl m by
e ome t r r e s

fi
i ntuition fr om a g ur e ( vi de
”
S p c P ych ology) ,I g ive
en er s s
’

t h e foll owi ng d mon t ati on by a fig u

e s r re .

L e t t h e foll ow in g fi gu e b e any numb e r of units arrange d

r

in e qu al s u ms
l + 1+ l + l

l + l + l + 1

1+ l + 1+ 1
&c .

p
i c
If w e s to at any t me an d ount th e u n ts in the or onta i h iz l
an d p p dic l li
er en u ar n e s r e s e t ve ,w e p c i ly
ave an
y thw o mu l
t ip l ie rs ,s ay 4 an d 3 ,an d w e h h
ave t re e s u ms of fou r e a ch
l ki g
oo n at th e pg
a e as it now s tan ds ,and four s u ms of t re e h
 112 PH L I OSOPHY ; OR, s7 .

ea ch by ing th e p ag ide w y , th e e fore n x n

turn e s a s r
’

n x n ,an d by mu l tiplic ation t h e fo e w e m an th e addi

’
re r e

t ion or ummat ion of qu al um ,i e ,t h e addi ti on of t h e

s e s s . .

c omp ound u nit cal le d u ms,wh e n w e ay fou t i m th

s s s r es re e

or t h e e t i m f
r o u , a n d a es
p od u c t i ra u m o f c om p o u n d r s s

un ts iWe h e e ,it will b e ag i n ob e v d ,mak ou ums

. r a s r e e r s

of c omp ou n d uni t e qu al wi t h ou t ab t ac t i on , in
s
p u s r re

numb e r ; for w e h ave n ot hi n g t o l e ave out , n ot hi n g t o

s

ab t ac t ; t h at i ,h a in g in t h
s r b gin ning mad ou unit
s v e e e r s

a n e arly e q u l a w
s could ,w e a wh olly ig no ant of th e ir
a s e re r

diff en ce But f w e l e a nt to c ount on our fi nge ,we

er s . I r rs

Sh ou ld h a t o ab t ac t or u t off t h diff
ve s r nc of ou c e e re es r

fi nge of cou e ,u ntil w e le a nt to mak e e qu al ign ; o ,if

rs rs r s s r

t h e n u mb e c an n ot b a an g d i n qu al u m ,t h n it is a
r e rr e e s s e

p odu c t p a t of a compound u nit

r r .

N ow ,th min d go t h ough th am p oce e xactly

e es r e s e r ss

wit h e e y ab t ac t o g n al t m wh at ,in con id

v r s r r e er er e ve r s er

ing th e u n it alike ,an d al l phil o oph e

s a ,an d t ru ly a ,
y y s rs s s

w e ab t act by n ot at t e n din g t o t h di ffe

s r nc ,t h ough t h e y e re es

b e wh olly o p a t ially p e c i e d r r Th e y ay t h mind k now r e v . s e s

t h at on man di ff e g e atly f om an oth man , o one

e rs r r er r

t e e di ffe
r g atly f om an oth e t , and t h at wh e n w e
rs re r r re e

pe ak of man in g n e al ,o t e in g ne l ,w ab t act or
‘

s e r r r es e ra e s r

le ave out of our con id ation ou k nowl e dg of th e e indi s er r e s

v id ual di ff n c e s,an d at te n d t o t h e lik n e

e re e on ly A ll e ss s .

p hil os oph ag e e i n
e rst hi ,a n d i t ri q u i t e t u , o l t us p u t s r e s e s

t h e p roc e into a vi ible fig u e T ak e th e ab t act wo d ,

ss s r . s r r

man o manki nd r E ach man, w e h ave aid b ody

. s

sou l pi it Th at i ,my w o d,fo e ach m n ,me an one

s r . s r r a s

b ody on e oul one pi it a diffe e n ce , ay ,a l ong e r

s s r r s

b ody,or a gre at e oul ,or a fi n e pi it,t he e fo e

r s r s r r r

D iffe e nce s r .

J oh n b ody ou l s pi i t &c s r .

Th omas body ou l pi it &c s s r .

&c .

and b cting by cutt ing off t h e diff

a s tr a e re n e s ,as c ha e we v

d one by t he up ig ht line ,t he n all me n

r a ll h uman s pi ri ts
 T HE SCIE NCE OF T RU TH . 113

human ouls
al l al l h u man b odi e , which w o ds
s s r

all,& c , a e ag ai n um
. of th e c omp ou n d u n i t ,b ody , ou l
r s s s s

an d pi i t ,t h e ab t act ge n
s r al w o d o c all d ; t h e fo e
s r er r s s e er r

ou r ab t ac t o ge n al te m,M an
s r r B ody X S ou l S pi it ;
er r r

t h e p r odu c t of t h e g n e al ab t act t e m b ody , ou l ,an d e r s r r s s

s pi i t r O takin g l tte ,l e t A b an ab t act t m,and a

. r e rs e s r er .

a a ,& c ,t h e u ni t c all d by t h e n ame A ; an d l e t t h e lik e

’ ”
. s e

n e s se be ps d in t he ame man n by l t t
ex r e s se We t h e n s er e e rs .

h av th e wh ol e cl a o ab t act w o d A
e al l a ss r s r r s

a b + c + d
’
a

&c

And b c i g th diff n c known o un k nown ,as w e

a s t ra t n e e re es r

h a e don e by t h e up igh t lin e ,w e h ave all a

v A r al l s

bs all c all ds B C D ,o th e p odu ct of th e

s . . . r r

ab st rac t o ge n al te m B , i nt o t h e ab t act o
r er g ne al
r s r r e r

te m G, in to t h
r ab t ac t o ge n e al t m D , fo it i
e s r r r er r s

e vide nt th at t h e ame p oce mu t b e gon e t h ough wi t h

s r ss s r

all t h e b , an d al l t h e s , an d a l l t h e d ,t h e fo e a es s re r

b c d ,and th e ab t act ge n e al te m A B C D , s r r r . .

wh e e B , C, D , a e all al o ab t act te m Th e refore

r r s s r r s .

e ve y ab t ac t g e n
r al t e m
s r t h e p r odu t of t h e l ik
er r c e

n s s s of a u ni t of t h e cl as
e e u ch like ne b in g t h e m s s sse s e

se l ev scon id e d in th e ab t act
s re s r .

Thi ,t h e fo e ,is th wh ole diff e n ce b e twe e n a n umbe r

s er r e er

and an ab t act w o d, t h e n u mb e r i
s r a n u mb of s i mp le
r s er

u n it a ume d t o b e lik e b y man ; t h e w o d i a n u mb e

s ss of r s r

c omp ou nd u nit , a ume d lik e by man , an d b ing c om

s ss . e

p ound , i th p oduc t of th e ab t act lik n e e t ak e n t o

s e r s r e ss s

fo m t h e cl
r c alle d by t h n am of th e ab t act t m If
ass e e s r er .

w e h ad c all e d man a at i on al an i mal , M an R on X

r e as

A n imal ,an d o fo ny ot h d finition w pl

s r a t o g iv e er e e e as e .

Of cou t h e e ad e will
rse e e t h at w e u l ti mate ly a
r r i at s r r ve

t h e mo t ab t ac t t m k now n on t he u bj c t ,which i i t e l f
s s r er s e s s

X uni ty ; fo ampl e , h e at , ligh t , l c t ici ty , mag ne t i m,

r ex e e r s

affi ni t y , p ol a i ty , mat t , f o mr, a n d o fo t h W t h

eru s r s r . e

a i e
rr v t ab t ac t t m i nd e c omp o abl e , o fa as h uman
a s r er s s s r

k nowle dge ha y e t e xte nde d s .

 14 PHILOSOPHY ; OR , 7 .

Some may bj e ct th at the p ope r e p e e ntation of th e

o r r r s

ab t ac t t
s r m A wou l d b B er C D ,an d n ot th product e e

B C D ; b ut t hi w ou ld d ny th at t h ummat ion o ad
. . s e e s r

dition of comp ou n d u m is wh at w e me an by a p oduct, s s r

which I h a e fi t p ove d ; b u t,of cou e ,th c omplic ation

v rs r rs e

of v b l n u mb er i diffe n t f om th e mul t iplic ati on of

a e rs s re r

a i th m t ic al n u mb
r e ,b e c au e t h e u n it a e diffe n t an d
e rs s s r re

th e m n t al p oc e i di ff e nt ,b u t y e t t h
r e ss ymb ol may we ll
s er e s s

b th e same
e An d all diffi c u l ty pe h ap i
. e move d by c on r s s r

s ide ing o a umin g ach c omp oun d u n i t n ot a a s um b u t as

r r ss e s

a
p odu r
c t of i t lik n ss ; o a = b cs d , an d t h a
eb t acet e d es r . . e s r

diff n c a ddition to a p odu ct

e re es s a a b c d x, s r . .

an d ab t ac t in g t h x th n A = B C D
s r e e . . .

P e hap , till mo p op ly p king,it h ould b e aid

r s s re r er s ea s s

t h at A a i a ,o i i f h e p odu c t, B C D
v a
f un
r es
c t on o t s r s r . . .

Thi fun ction d p nd ,of cou ,on th e i nte n al l ation

s e e s rse r re s

of b c d .t h e lik e n e
.
—
which p odu c t he g ne al w o d ; sse s r e e r r

b u t l ogic lly ,w c n n ot di tin gu i h b tw e n a p od u c t an d

a e a s s e e r

t h u n k n ow n f un ti on of a p od u c t
e Th u , fo xample ,
c r . s r e

t h e g at di c ove ie re of N w t on w s imply th r si , e e re s e se — v z.

1
t h at FO R C E i t h e p odu c t ,M S s o of M as s mt o th e r r
T ’
. .

Sp ac di vid d by t h e T im ; and t h at GRAV IT Y i th e

e e e s

l
a

p odu ct of M D 2 , o of Ma divide d by th e D i tan cé

r . r ss s .

s qu a d T he de finition of K NO W L E D GE give n in the

re .

T 1
te x t h ould b e w t t e n t h u ,M
s wh e M not matte ,
ri s re 1s r
W
.
’

b u t mind,an d T and W thing an d w or ds For k n owl e dge . . s .

inc a wit h th e p ow of mind an d wit h th nu mbe of

re se s e rs e r

t hing ,b ut d o n ot i n c a ,b ut di mi ni h e wi t h t h n u mb e r
s es re se s s e

of h uman w o d o ign qui d t o xp t h e kn owl dge

r s r s s re re e re s s e .

In lf k
se now l dg ,
-
of c ou , t h wh e o l t h e e b c om u ni t y rse e e r e e e .

A n d o,a t at d in t h e t xt ,t hi t h ou gh t of t h e c omp o
s s s e e s

s ition o p od uc t of r lf knowl dg doe not iol at th e

r se -
e e s v e

u n i ty of t h e Godh e ad ,wh e n w e c on ide i t a a T in i t y i n s r s r

U ni ty .
C. V ,
. T HE S C IE NC E OF T RU T H . 115

CH A P T E R

NUMB ER , T IME AND SP ACE .

T he F oundati ons f
o Ve r b al T r uth .

We h ave d e mons t rat e d , b e y on d c avil , as

w e t r us t , if s uch a t hi ng b e p os s ibl e , t h at

e v e ry n umb e r i s a g e n e ral t e rm, and e ve ry

ge ne ral t e rm a n umb e r ; th at the ari th me tic al

n umb e r is a w or d , s ig n,or s y mb ol , s ig nifyi ng

a s um, or t ick e t e d b undl e of s i mpl e u ni t s ;

and t h at a wo rd , g e ne ral nam e or ve rb al

.

n umb e r is a r oduc t, or t ick e t e d b un dl e of

p
c ompo und uni t s E ve ry man w ho s p e ak s and
.

u n d e rs t and s th e r udi me nt s of ari t h me t ic and

r e as on,mus t ad mi t our c oncl us i ons s o far .

Wh at w e h av e w ri t t e n will p rob ab ly m e e t
wi th tw o cl as s e s of O pp one nts : t he h augh ty
s c offe r, t he idly i ndi ffe re nt ; t ho s e w ho will
116 PHILOSOPHY ; OR , g 1
.

r idic ul e wh at th e y will not und e rs t and, or

c anno t ans we r ; and t h os e t h ough t l e s s one s
w ho migh t s t an d at t he b ri nk of t he d e e p

found at i ons of s o me l ofty b uildi ng , on s ome

l ow and l e ve l pl ai n, and e xcl ai m,wh at e l ab o
’

r at e fol ly and t rifli ng ! wh at w as t e of g ood

mat e ri al s ! li me ,s and , and s ifte d s t one t h row n
in d e e p b e low g round , w h e re n one will e ve r
’

b e abl e t o s e e or us e it . We c an no t b uil d
s afe ly w i t h ou t a fi r m foun d at i on ; b ut wh e n a

me s s e ng e r k now s his me s s ag e t o b e t rue and

i mp or t an t , he c an s t and the s ne e rs and the
j e e rs of a milli on of fe ll ow b e i ngs .

T o S uch t h e re is n o re ply ,b ut ch ari t y , and

pi ty , and l ov e unfe ig ne d T he th ough t l e s s
.

w h o o ugh t t o t hi nk , b ut ne ve r y e t h ave

t h ough t ,w ho S ki m t h e i r P al e y or Col e ridg e ,

and h ave n e ve r fe l t an s pi ri t ual an xi e t y to

y
Se t tl e t he moral t r ut h , or t o s ol ve t he diffe r
e nc e , t he life and d e at h di ffe re nc e , b e t w e e n

the m or w h o r e ad Wh e w e ll or Mill wi th out

’

an
y I nt e ll e c t ual d e s i re to k n o w wh e t he r

s ci e nt ific t r ut h i s foun d e d on i nd uc t i on or
d e d uc t i on ; t o th e s e w e w ould s ay , rous e
o ur s e lv e s , an d s t riv e t o und e rs t and t he i m
y
C . v ,
. T HE SCIENCE OF T RU T H .

po rtanc e , the d e e p , the rat i onal ,t he S pi ri t ual

i mp ort anc e ,the e t e rnal i mp ort anc e of man s ’

wo rd s , t he w ord s he us e s or ab us e s ,the wo rd s
b y which he will b e j udg e d j udg e d as s ure ly
as t h e re is a li vi ng God i n or ne ar t o e ve ry

one of us Y e s , God in or ne ar ! t h at is th e
.

q ue s t io n which all of us h ave t o ans we r for our

s e l ve s , e ach of us al one in his s e c r e t ch amb e r ,

n ow , or at al l e ve n t s on his d e at h b e d . Is
He in or ne ar us Wh at do y our wo rd s re ally
?

m e an t h at is the h ard e s t q ue s tio n e ve r p ut

?

t o man, an d,r e ad e r , y ou mus t ans w e r i t for

y ours e lf, for no ot h e r man on e art h c an

ans w e r i t for o u, e i t h e r now or h e re aft e r
y .

W e may h av e a form of wo rd s ,a form of

'

g odli ne s s ; t h e re is one in s o me of our h and s

onc e e ve ry w e e k ,and t h os e w ho do n ot us e

t he fo rm, oft e n p r ofe s s t o h av e mo re of the

‘

re ali ty ; and w h at d o w e re ally m e an by t h os e

w ord s w e us e ,or th at t hi ng w e p ray for, wh e n
we s ay on S un d ay , Cl e ans e t he t ho ugh t s of

our h e art s by t h e i ns pi rat i on of Thy H oly

”
S pi ri t . Th e re is a us e and m e ani ng ,as w e ll
as an ab us e and no me ani ng ,of s uch wo r d s as
-

i nbre athi ng , ins p irat ion7 8t c It is b e t te r not

‘

.
118 PHILOSOPHY OR , [ 0 . v ,
.
W
t o us e t e m at all , t an t o
h h h av em e ani ng
no

t o th e m . It is mo re ho ne s t t o s co ff O p e nly ,
t h an t o ac t t he hyp oc r i t e ,an d s co ff s e c re t ly

on y our k ne e s in y o ur h e ar t It is not ne c e s
.

s ary t o c onfo un d t he Cre at or wi t h t he c re at ure ,

wh e th e r a t hi ng or a p e rs o n, t o b e li e v e in
id ol at ry or in P anth e i s m,or in the l as t Lo h e re !
or LO t h e re ! y e t i t is n e c e s s ary t o b e li e v e t h at

Ch ri s t i ans are b uild e d t oge t h e r for an h abi

”
t at ion of God t h rough t he S pi ri t . It is
ne c e s s ary t o b e li e ve t h at yo ur b ody is t he
t e mpl e of t he H oly S pi ri t , which God will

iv e t o t h os e w ho as k Hi m, t h t S pi ri t of
g a
”
T rut h which s h all t e s t ify of Ch ri s t , and
which he p romi s e d t o s e nd fro m t he Fathe r t o
d w e ll wi t h man on e arth It is ne c e s s ary t o
.

b e li e v e in th e Wo rd of God .

S c i e n tifi c T r uth Re qui r e s a Ne w Con

ve nti on i n L an ua e W e t ur n ,how eve r, t o
’

g g
—

the s ci e n t ific , and l e ave t he mo ral q ue s t i on ,

wh at do our wo rd s re ally me an ? I h av e
s how n o u wh at th e y are t rue or fal s e n um
y
b e rs , of t rue or fal s e uni t s ,and e ve ry man in
t he wo rld ad mi t s t hi s , or c ont radic t s hi ms e lf .

But wh at do t h e y r e ally me an ? It is no us e
C . T HE SCIENCE OF TRU T H . 9

sa yi ng t h at g e ne ral w ord s are numb e rs ,

and t h at numb e rs ar e g e n e ral w ord s ; t h at is

as b ad as s ayi ng or t hi nki ng t h at i nd uc t io n is

fo und e d on numb e r s of i ns t anc e s , and n um

b e rs on i nd uc t i on, p e r e nume r ati one m s im
l i c em as if a li t t l e Lat i n w ould mak e s e ns e
p
of no n s e ns e , or au t h ori s e a l og ICIan t o b e at

r ound the b us h i n th at w ay ,and t h e n p re t e nd

t h at h e has c augh t t he bi r d . S uch logic ,
how e ve r , migh t g e t y ou the name of a v e ry
adv an c e d t hi nk e r at W e s t mi ns te r .

T he re ad e r will p e rc e i ve t h at I am us i ng
v e ry ordi nary E ngli s h w ord s ,and as far as I
c an i n t h e ordi nary an d c onve n t i on al me an

i ng s , s o th at e ve ry E ngli s h man c an und e r

s t an d wh at 1 s ay But I h av e lo ng ag o
.

c andidly avo w ed t h at my s ci e nt ific t h e o ry

and c onve n t io n al p rac t ic e ar e e nt i re ly O pp os e d

t o one an ot h e r . I avow t he i nco ns i s t e ncy in

e xp re s s w or d s , an d I h ave Show n y ou t h at i t

is the e s t abli s h e d c on v e n t io n of manki nd ,t h at

i n ord e r t o b e i n t e lli gibl e y ou mus t b e t h us i n
co ns i s te nt But I i nt e nd , God willi ng , t o S h ow
.

h ow b ot h y ou and I may , if w e cho os e ,avoid

s uch i nc ons i s te nc y as far as our i n te ll e c t ual
12 0 PHILOSOPHY ; OR, [ C . v, 2
.
§ .

fac ul ti e s and our moral q uali ti e s will e nabl e

e ach of us , i e , b e t t e r for t he fut ur e ,I h o e
. .
m,
It Is of no us e ,and v e ry ab s urd t o opp ose
or s e t o ne s e lf t o vi ol at e th e com mo n c onve m

t io n of al l manki nd in th e us e of wo rd s ; i t is

a b re ach of t he orIg Inal ag re e m e nt m ad e in

infancy by us all ,wh e n w e w e re t augh t our

mo t h e r t ongue T he ag re e m e nt t h e n mad e is
.

mad e by al l p e opl e s , s av ag e and ci viliz e d ,in

orde r t o r e n d e r t h e ms e l ve s i n te lligibl e , viz , .

t h at ordi nary w ord s S h all b e S ig ns or s y mbol s

of c oete r n al t hi ng s ; i e , of t hi ng s e x t e r nal t o
. .

t he mi nd of th e s p e ak e r . It is al s o of no
c o nse q ue nc e t o our arg ume nt , how l ang uag e

fi rs t b e g an ; wh e th e r wi th s uch w ord s as buzz ,

or w hiz z , or t i c k , or c r ac k , t o e xp re s s ve r b s ;

h r wi th s uch w or d s as c uc k oo,and w hip p oor -

w i l l, t o e xp re s s t hi ng s
.

We h ave a l ang uag e ,and S p e ak it und e r the

impli e d con di ti on and ag re e me nt t o m ak e our
s e l ve s i n t e llig ibl e t o our fe llow s p e ak e rs T he
.

ori g i nal c on di t i on , c onve nt Ion, or ag re e me nt

of al l manki nd ,is t h at my wo rd thoug ht s haH

b e d e e m e d t o b e a S ig n o r s ymbol , not o nly of

t he t h ough t i n my mi nd , b ut of t he t h ough t
C . v ,
. T HE SCIENCE OF T RU TH . 12 1

i n t he mi nd of oth e r me n al s o,and t h at y our

wo rd tho ugh t s h all me an the s ame t hi ng Thi s .

ag re e m e n t ma h ve ari se n fro m me n h av i ng
y a

occ as io n at fi rs t chi e fly or only t o s p e ak of e x

’

t e rnal vi s ibl e t hi ng s ,and not of i nt e rn al mi nd s ,

and s o s e t tli ng t he l aw s of l ang uag e ,t h at t h e y

co uld not b e c onv e ni e ntly al t e re d t o s ui t in

t e rnal nat ure wh e n i t c ame t o b e s pok e n of .

T he fac t i s s o,wh at e v e r t he c aus e may h av e

be e n .

H ow e v e r, fr om Pl at o downw ard s , phi

l os op he rs h ave b e e n t ry mg t o g e t out of
t hi s l aw , of wo rd s m e an i ng e x t e rnal t hi ng s ,

by t ryi ng t o m ak e Wo rd s me an not e x t e rnal

t hi ng s , b ut i nt e rnal t hi ng s ; id e as , s e ns at i ons ,

re fl e c t io ns , i mp r es s io ns , p e rc e p t i ons , c onc e
p
t io ns , i nt ui t i ons ,&c , &c ,&c , c onfus i ng and
. . .

co nt radic ti ng e ach othe r, t ill s o far as me t a

phy s ic s and philo s o p hy are c onc e rne d , t he
old j ok e of t h os e w i t t y G re e k s is s t ill as t rue

as e ve r ; t h at philo s op hy , t he s ci e nc e of

s ci e nc e s , is me re ly t he p rofi t ab le p roc e s s of

milki ng the anImal t h at ne v e r giv e s milk i nt o

t he p ail th at has n o bo t t o m ! T rue phil o
'

S oph y ,s ay s one of the abl e s t of mo de rn me ta

G
12 2 PHILOSOPHY ; OR , § 2 .

phys ici ans ,is s t i ll Pl at o ,t ruly und e rs t ood and

‘
fal s e philo s ophy is s t ill P l at o mi s und e rs t ood .

T he gam e of wo rd s is s t ill as liv e ly as e ve r ,

and t r uth and c e r tai nt as far off as e v e r
y .

T he co nv e ntio n and ag re e me nt o f the whol e

wo rld , h ow e v e r, is that wo rd s in ord i nary
‘

s p e aki ng and w ri ti ng , s h all m e an t hi ng s e x

t e rnal t o t he mi n d ; b ut t he co ncl us io n and

co nvic t i on of all t h os e i nte llige nt philo s oph e rs

fro m P lat o d ownward s ,wi th w hom I ag re e ,
is t h at w ord s do not and c anno t me an t hi ng s
e x t e rnal t o t he mi nd, b ut t hi ng s i n the mi nd ;

and thi s , wh e t h e r t he word s are t o b e cl ass e d

wi th the wo rd s ani mal or tr e e ,h avi ng ,as w e

b e li e v e ,e x t e rnal ph e nom e na t o re p re s e nt ; or
are t o b e cl as s e d wi t h t h e wo rd s t hou ht a nd
g
memory ,re p re s e n t i ng no e x t e rnal ph e nome na
wh at eve r, and h avi ng no e x t e rnal i mage t o
r e p re se nt t h at w e know of,or b e li e v e t o e xi s t
anywh e re ,u nl e s s w e acc e p t P l at o s th e o ry of
’

t ho ugh t s i n the D ivi ne mi nd But the c on

.

c l us ion is s e lf evid e nt to any one who t hi nk s ,

’
~

t h at s o long as m an s mi nd is clo t h e d wi t h a
-
’

1
A rch e r Butle r .
C . v ,
. T HE SCI EN C E OF T RU T H . 12 3

body s uch as y ou and I h av e ,my mi nd c an

ne v e r e nt e r i n t o, or b e co mp are d wi t h y our

m ind , and y our mi nd c an ne v e r i nt o or b e

c omp are d wi t h m mi n d an d t h at w e c an
y ,

o nly comp are the s o und s , s igns , sy mbol s ,

t he w or ds w e mut ually adap t and us e t o e m

body our re s p e c tiv e mi nd s or t ho ugh t s , and

t h at t hi s ol d, o rigi nal , and co n t i nui ng c onve n

t io n of m anki nd ,as t o l ang uag e ,i s , t h e r e fo re ,

fals e in fac t But w e s ay al s o,t h at no t ruth

.

has e ve r y e t b e e n arriv e d at unt il t he ol d c on

ve nt ion h as b e e n cl e arly ab an do n e d ,and s om e

n e w v e rb al co nv e nt i on m ad e and ag re e d t o .

I f an ari th me t ici an w e re as k e d wh at numb e r

is m e ant by the s y mbol 10 1,he wo uld ans w e r,
I c anno t t e ll t ill I k now the b as i s of t he
sys te m .It may me an 5 ,on t he bi nary sy s
t e m ; or one h undr e d and one on t he d e cim al

s y s t e m ; or one h und re d an d fo rty fi ve , on

-

t he d uod e ci mal ; or m any o th e r numb e rs on

o th e r sy s t e ms ; and he w ould l augh at the

man s e t t i ng t o w ork t o co nvi nc e him t h at it
mus t me an one h und re d and one , or any p ar
t ic ul ar n umb e r ! But the b as i s of an ari t h
me tic al s y s te m is me r e ly the ne w o rigi nal
G 2
 24 PHILOSOPHY ; OR , § 3 .

co nv e ntio n or ag re e m e nt on which the l an

g uag e of ari t h me t ic , t he ari th me t ic al S ig ns or
s y mb ol s are t o b e un d e rs t ood t h e uni t s in a l l
,
c as e s b e i ng c onc e i ve d t o b e s impl e , or,as w e
h ave s aid , m ad e s o N umb e rs b e i ng the s im
.

p l e s t an d m o s t p e rfe c t g e ne r al t e rm s i n l an

g uag e , h av e b e co me the m e as ure or m ak e s ure -

of al l oth e r s t ric t ly s ci e nt ific or acc urat e wo rd s ;

And no t hi ng s wh at e v e r c an b e found t o fall

i nt o t he d om ai n of s tric t and p ure s cie nc e
unt il t h e y are r e d uc e d t o and m e as ure d by
,
n umb e rs , which t h e ms e lv e s are t he j us t me a

s ure s of S p ac e s an d t i me s , and al l o th e r

t hi ng s by which w e me as ure .

T he Ce r tain ty o f N umb e r s
f r om t he

S e ns e s Now ,it is we ll w orthy of ob s e rv atio n,

—

t h at N umb e rs are giv e n t o us by all our fi ve

s e ns e s .We c an di s t i ng ui s h t h re e di s ti nc t
t as te s , or t h r e e di s t i nc t s me ll s , or t h re e dIS

t i nc t s oun d s , as w e ll as t o uch e s or S igh t s ; s o

‘

t h at as lo ng as any one s e ns e r e m ai ns , t he

h uman mi nd c ould fo rm nu mb e rs fro m the

s e ns e s , by c ons id e ri ng s e ns at io ns di s t inc t and

e q ual . All knowl e dge m us t b e gi n wi th s e n

s at io n . He t h at has no se ns at io n, s aid
C. v ,
. T HE SCIEN C E OF T RU T H . 12 5

A ri s t otl e , lo ng ag o, c an ne i th e r l e arn nor

”
k now any t hi ng . But as w e h av e al re ady s o
oft e n s aid , N umb e rs , or t h e i r t r ut h or c e r
t ai nt y , c anno t b e fo und e d wi t ho ut s e lf c on -

t radic tion on any i nd uc t io n fro m n umb e rs of

i ns tanc e s ; for i nd uc t io n al re ad y s upp os e s

numb e rs in t h e mi nd T he c e r t ai nt y of num
.

b e rs ,lik e all o t h e r h uman c e rtaint i e s ,is fro m

‘

de duc t i on only , d e p e ndi ng on t he c e r t ai nty

of the o rigi nal as s ump t io n, t he t r ut h and
e q uali t y of t he uni t s as s ume d In the c as e of
.

n umb e rs t he c e rt ai nt d e p e nd s on our ow n
y
maki ng an d ass umi ng our uni ts p e rfe c tly
e q ual . Th e ir t r uth and c e rtai nty is the t r uth
and c e r t ai nt y of h uman e x is t e n c e and of t he

h uman c ap aci ty t o s p e ak Uni t s are e qual

.

S ig ns , b e c aus e th e y are made e q ual by us not

t o ou r mi n d s only ,b ut t oour s e ns e s ,as many as

w e c an apply t o t h e m N umb e ri ng ,of co urs e ,

.

i ncl ud e s an ac t of the mi nd ,b e c aus e mi nd is

f
a ac tor i n all k n owl e dg e , an d w e re cog ni s e

n umb e rs and t h e i r re l at i ons as k nowl e dg e ,

and us e t h e m as t he m e as ure s of e v e ry thi ng .

But w e d raw no c oncl us i on by i nduc ti on,b ut

m ake our numb e rs b y de duc tion one b y one ,
12 6 PHILOSOPHY ; OR , § 4 .

and S how o th e rs how t o do s o Each numb e r

.

b e i ng , ab or ig i ne , wholly dIs t inc t,and cl e arly

s e p arat e d from e ve ry o t h e r , and s t ric tl y de

d uc e d from the pre c e di ng o ne s .

Numbe r ,Sp ac e ,and T i me As g e ne ral

—

t e rm s or univ e rs al s h av e b e e n t he b at t l e fi e l d
-

of philo s ophy and logic in all ag e s , s o t he

t hi ng s c all e d N U MBER ,TIME ,and S P ACE ,h av e

g e ne rally b e e n amo ng s t the chi e f w i ndmill s

which e ach p hil OSOp hic h e ro in t urn pro
c e e de d t o e nco unt e r wi t h his l anc e of v e rb al

logic Mr Mill , for augh t I know, is the

. .

fi rs t philo s oph e r who d e ni e d t h e ir e xi s te nce

al t og e th e r. N umb e rs i n the ab s t rac t he
t hi nk s are n o thi ng ,and i nfi ni t e S p ac e a m e r e

s up e rs t i t io n b ut I am not aw are wh e th e r he
has cl e arly e xp re s s e d his Op Imon t o his co un
t ry me n ab out t i me and i mmo r t ali ty ; whe t h e r

th e y are any t hi ng , or n o t hi ng b ut the b ug

b e ars of p ri e s ts t o frigh t e n wom e n and chil

dre n, or m e re ly the ph antas ms wi t h w hich
Chri s t i an philo s oph e rs co nfus e t h e i r brai ns .

It is q ui t e as rat io nal , in my opi nio n, t o

d e ny one s own e xi s t e nc e as t o s ay t h at t he
’

numb e rs , t he wo r d s which w e o urse lv e s m ake

C. v,
.
T HE SCIE NCE OF T RU TH . 12 7

as na m e s for uni ts ,which w e o urs e lv e s al s o

m ak e e q ual and alike wi t h our months ,or our
p e ns , are no thi ngs ! T he c e rt ai nty and t ruth
of N umb e rs d e p e nd s on the c e rt ai nty and t rut h

of our ow n e xi s t e nc e ,and our abili t y t o giv e

lik e nam e s ,and m ake like m ark s From the .

fi rs t e xi s te nc e w e ass um e d viz ,k nowle dg

—
.

w e h ave de duc e d t h e m s t ric t ly and wi t ho ut an

y
i nd uc t io n Th e ir t ruth and c e rtai nty d e p e nd
.

on d e d uc t io n from our firs t as s ump t io n,and not

on any in d uc t io n wh at e v e r T he c e rt ai nty and

.

t rut h of t he t hi ng s c all e d Tim e and S p ac e is

pr e ci se ly the s am e ,for the y al s o ,w e t hi nk,

may b e s t ri ctly d e d uc e d from our fi rs t
as s ump t io n .

It is e as i e r, an d i nd e e d , mor e rat ional to

d e ny the e xi s t e nc e and re ali ty of the e x t e rnal
wo rld wi tho ut us ,t h an t o d e ny the e xi s te nc e
and re ali ty o f th at i nt e rnal wo rld whi ch e ach

of us fe e l s and i nv e s t igat e s for hi ms e lf D og

‘

m atic id e ali s m is , if po s s ibl e , more rat io nal

th an m od e rn co ncr e t e m at e ri ali s m , t ho ugh

bo th are logic ally s e lf co ntradic t ory t o the

-

h um an mi nd .

T i me de duc i b le fr om our fir s t as s ump

12 8 PHILOSOPHY ; OR, § 5 .

t i on .
—
As N umb e rs w e re d e d uc e d by m e re ly
a ddi ng lik e S ig n t o lik e S ig n,and givi ng t h e m
name s for e v e r, or as lo ng as w e pl e as e ,or t ill

w e are t i re d ; s o t h at in fac t N umb e rs fall i nt o

our thi r d c at e g ory as wo rd s or v e rb al t hi ng s ,

s y nt h e t ic ally b uil t u
p an d m anufac t ur e d ;

s o, w e s ay , Ti me s are me n t al t hi ng s , m ad e

alik e by t he ph e n ome na b e i ng r e c og n i s e d by

our mi nd s ,and e nume rat e d by n umbe r s . In

T i me w e add lik e t h ough t t o lik e t ho ugh t ,
and n umb e r t h e m ; an d s o w e c an go on, as

l ong as w e pl e as e ,t o h av e and p rod uc e the

s e ns e of Ti me ,by us i ng numb e rs t o m e as ure ,

m ak e s ure , or re c ord our T i me s , or lik e

-

t ho ugh t s .

Le t us co ns id e r t hi s a li t t l e c are fully. As
N umb e rs are b undl e s of o ne s , s o Ti me s are
b undl e s of s e co nd s ; one t w o ; one t w o ; or
t he t ic k t ack ; t ick t ack of the p e nd ul um .

We numbe r the t ho ugh ts which like thi ng s

c aus e in t he mi nd T he re c u rre nc e and num
.

b e ri ng of lik e d ay s and like nigh t s , t he

r e c urre nc e and numb e ri ng of lik e s olar ap
e aranc e s ,t he re c urre nc e or n umb e ri ng of any
p
lik e tho ugh ts ; th at combi nat io n p rod uc e s our
 C . v ,
. THE SCIENCE OF T RU T H . 12 9

s e ns e of Tim e . H ow e ve r t he t ho ugh t s are

p rod uc e d in t he mi nd , if t h e y are ali ke , w e

r e me mb e r t he form e r one , and wi th the
s e c ond , t h e t h ough t of t i me i s p rod uc e d In .

s h or t , as w e ob t ai n e d an d d e d uc e d our num

b e rs fro m lik e w ord s ,S O w e ob tai n and d e d uc e

our t i me s fr om lik e mi nd s T he r e c urre nc e
.

or numb e ri ng of lik e me nt al s t at e s , t he re p e

t i t i on or n umb e ri ng Cf lik e me nt al ph e no

m e na,in s h ort ,t he e nume r ati on of like mi nds ,

t h ough t s ,id e as , p e rc e p t i ons , or me nt al s t at e s

p rod uc e s t he s e ns e of Ti me in e v e ry m an s ’

mi nd .

H e re w e c annot app e al t o our e x t e rnal

s e ns e s for t he lik e ne s s of t he uni t s of Ti me ,

for th e uni t of Ti me i s a me n t al e xi s t e nc e ; b ut
w e app e al t o e ach m an s i nt e rnal s e ns e
’

wh e th e r it is not the po s i t iv e und e ni abl e fac t,

t h at l ike me ntal ph e no me na pr od uc e In hi m

t he s e nse of Tim e T h e re fo re w e s ay t h at
‘

w e d e d uc e Ti me fr o m li ke mi nd s ,and m ak e

s ur e of,or me as ure our Ti me ,by me ans of our

fi rs t d e d uc ti on,viz ,Numbe rs , or lik e uni t s

. .

T he 4 th P ropo s i t io n of Eu clid ,t o us e an e x
ampl e b y w ay of analog y ,is an app e al t o e v e ry

G 5
130 PHILOSOPHY ; OR § 5 .

m an s ge om e t rical s e nse ; t h at if t wo p airs of

’

e q ual s t raigh t li ne s m ak e e q ual angl e s , t h e y

may b e s up e r i mp os e d s o as t o coi ncid e al t o

g e t h e r ; and t he e nd s of the b as e s of the t wo
t ri angl e s coi ncidi ng , t h e n by the po s t ul at e or

axiom t h at t wo righ t li ne s c anno t e nclo s e a

s p ac e , w e co ncl ud e t h at t h e t w o t r i angl e s are

al t og e t h e r e q ual
.

M uch di s p ute , no d oub t ,for ne arly

y e ars ,has b e e n was t e d on t hi s fund ame nt al
p ropo s i tio n by p uzzl e d h e ad e d logici ans and
phil os oph e rs , as t o wh e t h e r t he re as onmg I S
le gi t i mate and l awful . But t h e re it s t ands ,
and it s at i s fi e s e v e ry man who has an e o
y g
m e tric al s e ns e ,and und e rs tand s t he d e fi ni tio ns
and axiom s . N e ve r,in the co ur s e of my e x
e rie nc e , did I h e ar or s e e a boy t r by i a
p y
duc t i on from a n umb e r of i ns t anc e s wh e th e r
i t w as t r ue in s o me c as e s and not i n o th e rs
b ut I h av e s e e n m any boy s who had no g e ome
t ric al s e ns e wh at e v e r , and co uld not b y any

m e ans he b ro ugh t t o s e e any g e o me tric al d e

d uc t i on wh at e v e r S o one fi nd s boy s and men
.

who ne v e r g e t t o und e rs tan d t he e x t e ns i on

and compre h e ns io n of a t e rm i n logic ,or how
C v,. . THE SCIENCE OF T RU TH . 13 1
.

t h e y v ary i nve rs e ly , or t he l ogic al forc e of

t he cl e are s t s yllogi s m But the wo rld is not
.

t o s t and St ill for d ull ard s ,nor c an w e po s s ibly

'

admi t Mr H e rb e rt S p e nc e r s abo mi nabl e n on

’
.

s e ui t ur t h at of an in t ui ti on fr o m t he c rook e d
q , ,
ass e s b ridg e b e for e him t o all t he s t raigh t
’

,
as s e s b ridge s t h at e ve r w e re , or c an b e ,
’

We w e re t augh t how t o thi nk

.

t ho ugh t of .

ge om e t ric ally , and ho w t o g e t ov e r t he

as s e s b ridg e wi t ho ut an fig ur e wh at e ve r,and
’

y
wi tho ut h avi ng any ki n d of d e fi ni t e or p e r
c e p t i b l e fig ure i n t he mInd I do n t c all ,and
’
.

r e fus e t o c all t hi s ,a h ab i t ,for t he s am e r e as o n

t h at I do n t c all S ee i ng a h abi t It is a s e n s e ,
’
.

a D ivi ne gift ; an o rigi nal pow e r an d fac ul t y .

It i s a fac t , no d oub t ,t h at many me n,int e lli

g e nt and e v e n abl e on o t h e r s ubj e c t s ,h ave no
g e om e t ric al s e ns e ,j us t as s om e me n h av e no
s e ns e of S igh t S uch unfort unat e s ne ve r s aw
.

the forc e and b e aut y of g e o me t ric al re as o n

i ng , or p os s ibly of t h e s yll ogi s t ic re as o ni ng

t o which E uclid r e d uc e d i t But w e c an no
.

more re as on w i t h s uch me n abo ut t he fo rc e of

g e o me t ric al re as o ni ng , t h an w e c an r e as o n
wi t h abli nd man ab o ut colo urs .
132 PHILOSOPHY ; OR, § 5 .

But p re ci se ly as t he 4 th P ropo s i ti on of
E uclid mak e s an app e al t o the ge om e tric al
s e ns e of m anki nd ; s o do I app e al t o t he

g e ne ral h um an s e ns e of Tim e . Wh at is Ti me

in t he mi nd ? Thi nk H ave y ou any s e ns e of

t i me wh e n t he mi nd is t horo ughl y b usy and

occ upi e d ? N o ! Tim e has p as t uns e e n and

unfe l t
. But if w e look up and s e e t he old
famili ar s c e ne ,a s t rok e of Tim e has s t ruck ,
and w e l o ok at our w at ch . Wh e ne ve r t he
s ame , t h at is , a s e c ond li ke s tate of mi nd

occ ur s , or is fo rc e d on us ,t h at is Ti me ,and
r e al iz e s or p rod uc e s our s e ns e of Ti me.

T o my mi nd , Ti me s e e m s t he ne g at iv e of
p e rfe c t mi nd . It is t he ob s t ruc t io n t o
t ho ugh t by t he famili ar s ound , or S igh t , or

o th e r mat e ri al i nte rfe re nc e wi th p ure th ough t ,

which ,as it we re , c omp e l s the m i nd ,e nclo s e d
in a body , t o t ak e m o nc e mo re t he ol d
famili ar s tat e or t ho ugh t , a nd s o t o fe e l a

s e co n d of Ti me .
9

H ow e v e r,it has forc e d i ts e lf cl e arly on my

mi nd and I tr us t will fo rc e i ts e lf al s o on t he
mi nd of the re ad e r ; th at t he only t rue vi e w ”

of Tim e i s as th e ne g at iv e of p e rfe c t mi nd,and

 THE SCIE NCE OF T RU T H
-

. 13 3

th at t i me s are s i mply e nume r ate d like s tate s (f

mi nd p rod uc e d by lik e ph e no me na, c aus i ng a
r e p e t i t i on , or e num e rat i on of old famili ar

thoug hts in t he h u man mi nd Th e re are t w o

.

ack nowl e dg e d fac t s t h at s t ro ngly s uppo r t t hi s

c oncl us i on : l s t How s ho rt and i mp e rc e p t ibly

.

t i me p as s e s t o t he me nt ally ac t iv e ; 2 nd How .

l ong t i me is t o the man of one id e a the s ame

t ho ugh t c ons t antly r e c ur r i n , an d forci ng t he
g
mi nd t o re p e at i t s e lf,and r e me mb e r the one
t hi ng , and s o n umb e r m any li ke thoug hts ,for

e x ampl e , g ri e f, S ick ne ss , r e mo rse , fe ar God .

d e live r us fro m an e te rni ty of re m ors e ! Tim e s

w as te d ,foll ow e d by Ti me s re me mb e re d It is .

uns ci e nt ific and d ange rous t o t r uth ,t o as s ume

any t hi ng ou c an t r ac e high e a nd c e r
y r ;

t ainly ,wh e n K ant as s um e d t h at Tim e w as n ot

t h ough t ,b ut a n e c e s s ary for m,or s o me th i ng

i ne xplic abl e ,ne c e s s ary to t ho ugh t ; wh e n he

s aid , T i me i s g i ve n ap r i or i , it is not s at i s
”

fac to ry to my mi nd , and he hi ms e lf is un
c e rtai n ; as ,in one p as sag e ,he s e e ms t o m ak e
n umb e r g e ne rat e t i me , and in ano th e r, t im e

ge ne rat e numb e r It s e e m s ,how e v e r,t o my

.
1

1
Ante note p . 45 . Mr Manse l , w hose
. dy of
s tu p ur e
 PHILOSOPHY ; OR , § 5 .

mi nd ,v e ry cle ar,t h at Ti me is t hough t ; it is

t ho ugh t s e nume rat e d , an d as N umb e rs ar e

b u ndl e s of lik e wo rd s , s o Ti me s are b undl e s

of lik e mi nd s , i e , li k e s t at e s of mi n d or . .

t ho ugh t s numb e re d And I s ub mi t t hi s fac t .

t o t he s e ns e of Ti me ,of t he t h oug h tful and

‘

c andid re ad e r ; and wh e th e r I h av e not s t ric t ly

d e d uc e d Ti me fro m my o rigi nal as s ump t i on,

math e matics doe n ot e e m to h a e be e n of th e e y de e p e t,

s s v v r s

y Pu
sa s,
“
re a i th me t ic c on t ain
r n o d mon t t i on A nd s e s ra .
”

again, A r ithm ti i s l at d t o T im a G om t y to
e c re e e s e e r

Sp ac e An d again , T o on t r t t h e
. i nc of a ith
“
c s rI c sc e e r

m tic,in al l it e ntial fe at u e ,it i only n c e

e s ss e y th at r s s e ss ar

w e h ould b e c on ci ou of a ucc e i on in Ti m ,and h ould

s s s s ss e s

b e abl e to gi e n ame t o t h ev v l m mbe of th

s ie se e ra e rs e se r s .

— Me taph ,p 25 6 2 5 8 T o my mind , it mig h t j u t as

. .
—
.
.
s

r e a on ably b e
s aid ,t h at a i t h me tic i
s l at d t o V i t u ,a t o
r s re e r e s

Time W e numb e V i t ue ,and w e n umbe Ti me ; b ut

. r r s r s

we n e t i me n u mb e
ev r S o w e n u mb e p ace ,b ut w e
rs . r s s

n e v r s ac ,o at t ib ut e
e p
r ac e t o n u mb
r W h at an h e s e rs c
e
p .

me ant by ayin g P u e a ithm tic contain n o d mon

s r r e s e

t ation
s r pa all c omp e h n i on , fo
sse s it i al l un an r e s r s

s w e ab l
r de mon t ation f om fi t t o l a t ; d mon t ation
e s r r rs s e s r

to th e en san d t o the u n d
se s t n di n g P o ibly M e rs a . ss r.

Man e ] only le a nt hi multiplication table ,and foun d th e e

s r s r

th at 3 time s 4 a e 12 ,and n ve w as h ow n any d mon

r e r s e

t ation of t h at fact ,o t h at mu l t iplic ati on i on ly a h o t

s r r s s r

w ay of d oi n g addit i on o n ume at ion ; and t he T i m s in t h er r e

multiplicat ion t abl e h av ,by a ociation of name ,g ot con e ss s

fou n d d in h i mi n d wit h t h e e n e of T im ; o h e may

e s s s e r

t hin k h i c a yi n g out K ant fic t ion of Time ge n e at ing

’
e s rr s r

N umb ,whate ve th at may me an

er r .
i
 THE SCIE NCE OF T RU T H . 13 5

andl awfully an d u nans we rably i ncl ud e d it , in

my c at e g ory of M e ntal thi ng s .

Sp ac e D e duc i b le fro m the F i r s t As

sump ti on —
Wh at e v e r d oub t t he re ad e r may
h av e ab out my d e d uc t io n of Ti me fro m num
b e rs of lik e th ough t s ,I re ally t hi nk he c an h ave
v e ry li t tl e do ub t b ut t h at e v e ry man s t h ough t
’

of S p ac e i s g ai ne d from n umb e r an d t i me and

t he ne g at iv e of b ody . It s e e ms t o me a m os t
g rat ui t o us and unfound e d ass ump t i on t o s ay
wi t h K ant ,t h at S p ac e is a f or m, or O rigi nal
s ome thi ng ,w e k now not wh at , ne c e s s ar y to
e nabl e us t o t hi nk of b ody or an t hi ng e l s e
y .

P ut t hr e e b odi e s t o uchi ng ,and t h e n in

t im e t ak e t he middl e one aw ay ,an d e ve r
y
—

man w ould s ay ,t h at is t he sp ac e t he b ody

occ upi e d . We fi rs t thi nk Body ,b ut our uni t
of S p ac e is me nt ally d e d uc e d fro m i t aft e r

w ard s by numb e r and t i me .

T he abs e nc e o f b ody and i t s po s s ibl e O r

ac t ual r e t urn —
T he e mp t i ne s s l e ft at any t im e
b e tw e e n t w o bodi e s t h at is ,a uni t of Sp ac e
—

b ut d e d uc e d fro m s e ve ral b odi e s , goi ng and

re t urni ng b e i ng or not b e i ng numbe r e d
i n T i me . Th us w e h av e our uni ts of S p ac e ,
 PHILOSOPHY O R, ( c . v ,
.
g7 .

or S p ac e s , as b undl e s of like ne gat iv e bodi e s ,

or t he s am e body , abs e n t in t im e , and it s

r e t urns c ap abl e of b e i ng numb e re d .

T he Infini ty o f N u m b e r , S ac e , and
p
T i me -
H e nc e , I t hi nk , N umb e r, Ti me , and
S p ac e may b e s t ric tl y d e d uc e d from our fi rs t
co nc e p tio n of k nowl e dg e ,as t he p rod uc t of
mind s , b odi e s ,and w ord s T r ue and acc urat e
.

S ci e nc e mus t e ve r b e fo rme d b y as s umi ng the

l e as t p os s ibl e n umb e r of origi nal c onc e p ti ons ,
as t he found at i on of our r e as oni ng , an d t h e nc e

d e d uci ng as s t ric tly as p os s ibl e , by unan

s w e rab l e r e as o ns , t he more co mplic at e d and

r e c ondi te co nc e p ti ons c ons i s t e nt w i th fac t .

T he ad mi s s i on of the fi rs t e xi s t e nc e as
s ume d , viz knowl e dge , gave us t h re e e x
is t e nc e s—
mi nd ,b ody , wo rd T he ass ump t io n
.

of t he ack nowl e dg e d h um an p ow e r , t o mak e

li ke s ound s or li ke mark s , e q ual uni t s ,g ave us

fro m t h e s e t h re e ,all n umb e rs t o infi nity
wi tho ut po s s ibl e re as o n t o s t op , wi th out e nd,
or, as w e s ay , Infini te Numb e r . N umb e rs of
lik e mi nd s ,lik e s tat e s of mi nd , g ave us Ti me ;
and, of n e c e s s i t y , t he i nfi ni t y of N umb e r
b e c am e applic abl e t o our numbe r e d t i me s ,
C. v ,
. T HE S C IENCE OF TR U T H . 13 7

and gav e h e nc e I nfi ni t e Ti me , which is

us t

o nly the I nfi ni t e Numbe r of d ay s ,or s e as o ns ,

or y e ars , or li mi t e d t i me s . Las tly , B ody and
Numb e r, and Ti me for ab s e nc e and re t urn,
g av e us li mi t e d s p ac e , as t he ne g at ive of
limi t e d b ody , numb e re d o nc e in t im e and
go ne t o re t urn or n ot,as t i me may S h ow ; b ut
havi ng g ot one li mi t e d s p ac e and N umb e r,
I nfi ni t e S p ac e is o nly the i nfi ni ty of N umb e r s
appli e d t o li mi t e d s p ac e .

We t h us h av e at t e mp t e d ,wi th wh at s ucc es s ,
the c an did and phil os ophic r e ad e r mus t j udg e ,

t o d e d uc e N umb e r,Ti me ,and S p ac e —

t he t hr e e

gr e at me as ure s of al l e x te rnal thi ng s k nown t o

man from our fi rs t co nc e p t io n or as s u mp tio n
—

of K nowl e dg e , as s ome s i ngl e unk n ow n E x

is t e nc e g rant e d and ad mi tt e d by the re ad e r .

W e h av e al re ady ob s e rv e d t h at p ure g e o
m e t ric al co nc e p ti ons are d e d ucibl e from t he
u nd e ni abl e fac t of the i mp e ne trabili ty of
B ody or mat te r gi vi ng t o our re as on a S urfac e
which w e c an t ouch , b ut wh os e thi c kne s s
is b e y ond our s e ns e s n othi ng t h at w e

c an me as ure ; and h avi ng ob tai ne d a g e ome

t ric al s urfac e , w e g e t li ne s wi tho ut b re ad th ,

138 PHI LOSOPHY ; OR , § s .

as it sli mi ts ,and poi nts , wi t h out di me ns io ns ,

as t he li mi t s of li ne s ,al l of which are ne c e s s ar
y
d e d uc t io ns from Body and S p ac e .

T he mo s t ab st rac t co n c e p t io n of al l K no w
“

l e dge , th at I c an fo rm, is as the p r oduc t of

Mi nd upo n al l m e ntal t hi ngs , bodily t hi ngs ,
an d v e rb al t hi ng s xp d i word d
“

, e re s s e n s an

re gi s te re d i n the Mi nd i t s e lf b y nu mb e rs ,
t i me s , an d S ac e s
p .

T he Ce r taintg o
f D e duc ti on an d S e ep
tic is m .
—
I
bmi t t h at t hi s d e d uc t io n of
su

N umb e r, S p ac e , and Tim e is a s t ric t de

d uc tio n, b y re as o ns which no man c an cont ro
v e rt ,found e d on the fi rs t ad mi s s i on or as s ump
t io n . It is s t ric t d e mo ns t rat io n t o t he mi nd ,
how our k nowl e dge of mi nd s , b odi e s , and
wo rd s ,not o nly may b e ,b ut mus t be ,s y nth e
t ic ally b uil t up and acc umul at e d s t e p by s t e p ,

if w e d e s ire t o b e ac c ur ate E ach of th e se

.

s t e p s , as we ll as t he fi rs t as s ump tio n, no
rati onal b e i ng c an d e ny ,wi t h out s e lf con t ra -
s

dic t io n It s e e ms t o me m uch mo re rat i onal ,

.

and I h o e I h av e m ad e i t more s at i s fac t ory

p
t o t he r e ad e r ,t o p r oc e e d t h u s s t e p by s t e p ,

t h an t o ass ume s uch d e e p id e as as Numb e r,

’
C. v , s
.
g ] T HE SCIENCE OF T RU T H . 13 9

Sp ac e , and Ti me , a p r i or i , as om e thi ngs ,

s

one doe s n ot know w hat , form s of t h ough t ;

t hi ng s ne c e s s ary t o e nabl e us t o t hi nk a t all

or ,s t ill wors e , as K ant p ropo s e d , t o as s ume

'

Ti me an d S p ac e , as fund ame ntal id e as , ne “

c e s s ary fo rms of and t o ne g l e c t

Numbe r , the ve ry o rigi n of all h um an t r ut h

and c e rt ai nty ,and of all our t rue s t t ho ugh t s

of t he illimi t abl e I nfi ni t e . S uch As s ump

t io ns ,lyi ng at t he fo und at io n of al l t ho ugh t ,

or all e g e d by a gr e at philo s oph e r t o do s o,

e nabl e s any s c e p t ic al philos oph e r t o bl ow t he

“

whol e fab ric t o pi e c e s , b y d e nyi ng t he

as s ump t i ons wi t h mor e or l e s s p r ob abili t y ;

and t h e n , c onfus i ng all t ho ugh t s b y c alli ng

N umb e r and S p ac e non e nt i ti e s , t he S c e p t ic

-

e nd s by d e nyi ng t he acc uracy of t he foun

d atio n of the pl ai ne s t and cl e are s t tr uth s th at

man has b uil t up ,from t he d ays of P y th ago ras
and P l at o t o t ho s e of N e w t o n and La P l ac e .

T he d e ni al c re at e s do ub t , and c onfus io n , and

di ffic ul ty in w e ak e r mi nd s E ve n t h ough t he
.

s c e p t ic hi ms e lf s h ould b e s e lf c omp e ll e d t o
-

e xhibi t his ow n ab s urdi ty ,and t o s ub s t i t ut e

t he m ag nific e nt i nduc ti ons ; th at nigh t is t he

 P HILOSOPHY ; OR ,
t rue c aus e of day , un le s sit b e th at day is t he
r
t ue c ause igh t ; in
( if n s ho rt , t h at t he e v i

d e nc e of the s ci e nt ific is b uil t up on the uns c i ~

”
e nt ifi c , an d t h at t he Caus e of al l t hi ng s i s

t he uniform s e q ue nc e of e ve nts , from which

“ ”

i t is undi s t i ng ui s h abl e ; t h at Law and Cause

are one an d t h e s ame , and t he U ni ve rs e a

c onc ours e of at oms , ac ti ng and re ac ti ng On

e ach oth e r , c au s e d by n ot hi ng ! t h at t h e Fi rs t

G re at Caus e has r e ti re d and d e li ve re d ov e r

his handl w ork t o a g re at pl ural i ty of
” ”
c aus e s , or t o n o c aus e at all !
T he Conc lus i on —
Th us w e s ay th at
numb e rs are only acc u rat e w ord s h e fi rs t ,
t
—

t h e S i mpl e s t , an d t he mos t acc urat e th at man

po ss e s s e s SO far as man is abl e t o co unt ,

.

t h at is , t o mak e n umb e rs ,he c an n e ve r mi s

t ak e on e numb e r for anoth e r . A man who

c an co unt t o 2 0,c an n e v e r mi s t ak e 19 for 2 0 .

But if he c an only c ount t o 3, t h e n he c an

ne v e r mi s t ak e I for 3 , or 2 for 1 So if he
.

c an c ount t o 10 0, or a millio n,or a no nilli on,

or choo s e s t o g i ve n ame s t o any high e r n um

b e r , he c an ne ve r mi s t ak e or co nfound one
n umb e r for an ot h e r . I f he do e s ,w e s ay ,he,
 T HE S C IEN C E OF T RU T H . 14 1

has forgo t te n how t o co unt , and o th e r me n

h av e no di ffi c ul ty in s e t t i ng him righ t N um .

b e rs , t h e re fore , are tr ue and c e r tai n w ord s

and s y mbol s , m ad e t rue and c e rt ai n b y man s
’

ow n manufac t ure d e mons t rat e d t o e y e and

e ar . Man oug ht to b e mas t e r of his ow n

w ord s at l e as t . Wh at h as t t h ou t h at tho u
”
did s t n ot re c e ive ? s aid S t P aul
. I f it b e
.

n ot our own us e of our ow n mo t h e r t ong ue ,

I c ann o t ans w e r t he q ue s t i on But ,for my

.

p art,I s e e no thi ng v e ry ab s ur d in S uppo s i ng

t h at e v e n t hi s us ag e may h av e b e e n r e c e iv e d

from ano th e r S pi ri t . E vil c ommunic at io n .

co rrup t s good m anne rs of s p e e ch , as w e ll as

al l oth e r good manne rs .

H ow e v e r,n umb e rs are the m e as ure s or m ake

s ur e s of b oth s p ac e and t i me But N umb e r,
.

S p ac e , and Ti me , may b e co ns id e re d as g re at
Uni t s ; and t h e n are c ons id e re d as i nfi ni t e
numb e r, i nfi ni t e s p ac e , an d i nfi ni t e t i me , b e

c aus e , as w e fi nd our numb e rs c an ne ve r e nd,

and t h at w e c an apply numb e rs ,or are forc e d

t o re co g ni s e n umb e rs i n m e as uri ng li mi t e d

t i me s and s p ac e s ,and as s t ric tly applic abl e t o

s p ac e and t im e ,w e c arry t h e i nfi ni ty or ne v e r
14 2 PHILOSOPHY ; OR , [ C. v ,
.
§ 9
.

e ndin
g ne s s ofmb e rs t o bo th o f th e m W e
nu !
.

t h us r e ach t he co nc e p t i on of THREE i nfi ni t e

ne v e r e ndi ng UNI T S
- —
N U MBER , S PA CE , and
T IME . N umb e r is i nfi ni te wo rd s , Ti me is
i nfi ni te t h ough t s , S p ac e is the m e ntal c on
c l us ion fro m i nfi ni t e bodi e s . Th us are t he
t h re e d e e p co nc e p t i ons of N umb e r, Ti me ,an d

S p ac e ,i ncl ud e d in our t h re e cl as s e s or c at e
o rie s of m i nd s , b odi e s , and wo rd s
g .

E v e r s i nc e man fi rs t t as t e d t h at fat al t re e
of K nowl e dg e , no man c an , wi tho ut co nt r a

dic t i ng hi ms e lf, de ny t he e xi s t e nc e of s o me
k nowl e dg e T he ad mi s s i on of s om e know
.

l e dge ne c e s s arily i mpli e s Mi nd s , Bodi e s , and

Word s One ,t w o, t hre e ,giv e s us N umb e r t o
.

i nfi ni ty . T he ne g at iv e of p e rfe c t Mi nd is
Ti me ; th e ne g at i ve of I nfi ni t e B ody is Sp ac e .

T he I nfi ni ty of b ot h t he las t ,is t he s ame as

t he I nfi ni ty of n umb e rs .T he man who d e ni e s
i nfi ni t e Ti me or I nfi ni t e S p ac e mus t d e ny infi
n i t e N umb e r , mus t d e ny his ow n w ord s ,m us t

d e ny his ow n body ,or m us t d e ny his ow n mi nd ,

m us t d e ny our fi rs t po s t ul at e ,t h at k nowl e dg e
e xi s t s ,mus t d e ny t he one G re at God of T rut h
C. v, . T HE SCIENCE OF T RU TH .

fr om who m all t ruth is d e riv e d . To his ow n

m as t e r he s tand e t h or falle th .
l

K ant s F or ms o
f T b u ht K ant
’ ’
o g .
—
s

not on t i h at S p ac e and Ti me mus t

me d , be ass u

as gi v e n a r i or i , and are t h e ne c e s s ary

p
fo rms of al l p ure c og ni tio n, is t h e re fo re e vi
de nt ly e rrone o us ,for t h e one s uffi ci e nt re as o n
t h at he fo rg ot N umb e r Wh at is a n umb e r, i f .

n ot a w or d d e d uc e d as I h av e d e s c rib e d ? At
all e v e nt s , a numb e r occ upi e s n e i t h e r S p ac e

nor Ti me We t hi nk a numb e r q ui t e i nd e
.

p e nd e ntl y of b ot h s p ac e and t i me It is fir s t, .

and i nd e p e nde n t of bo t h In wh at pl ac e .

d oe s the n umb e r thr e e e xi s t ,or in wh at t im e ?

We apply numb e r t o S p ac e s and t i me s , b ut

n ot S p ac e or Ti me t o N umb e r T hr e e is a .

t ho ugh t i n y our mi nd ,and my mi nd , and in

e v e ry i nt e l lig e nt mi n d t h at e v e r did or c an
e xi s t ; b ut i t occ upi e s n o s p ac e , i t e nd u re s

1
B ain ,in hi abl e w o k on the S e n e and Inte lle ct,
Mr . s r s s

ha j u tly e ma k e d t h at
s s r S pace might b e c once iv d in the
r e

ab se n ce of an e x te nal w o ld f om t h e b ody own move

’
r r r s

me nt in e mpty p ace ,f om th e mus cul a mov me nt M an

s r r e .
” ’
s

ow n b ody is pos it i ve , and sp ac e i t h e n e gat i v , and is s e

re n d e e d po i ti e by occ up ati on of i t by b ody

r s v Thi s se e m . s

ou r simpl st t h ough t of space , vi , th ough ts of nu mb e re d

e z .

move me nts of our own b od ie s .

14 4 PHILOSOPHY ; OR , [ o v ,§ 10 . .

t hro ugh no ti me It is e te rnal and ne db s.

s ary ; an d s o of e v e ry o th e r numb e r it c an —

ne ver ch ang e T he me ani ng of t he wo rd

.

t hr e e , and of e v e ry o th e r n umb e r, is a c og ni

t io n, and u t t e rly i nd e p e nd e nt of b ot h S p ac e

an d Ti me a cog ni t io n
—
n e v e r c e as i ng , nu -

ch ang e abl e , e t e rnal I f it e ve n b e s aid th at

.

t he h um an mi nd c anno t co nc e iv e thr e e until

i t has s p e nt Tim e in co unt i ng it , or l e arni ng

i t from t h r e e bodi e s , or fi ng e rs , or s p ac e s in
e x t e rnal nat ure , t h at may S how t h e d e fe c t ,

or i mpe rfe c t i on, or i nfan cy of the h uman

mi nd , or e v e n t h at t he h uman mi nd i tse lf
e xi s t s in S p ac e and Time , b ut s ur e ly do e s
not affe c t t h e me ani ng , t ho ugh t , or p ur e cog

nit ion of t h e n umb e r thr e e K ant hi ms e lf,as .

we h av e ob s e rv e d ,is d ubi ous b e t w e e n n umb e r

and t i me D r Wh e w e ll is al s o d ubi ous
. . He .

s e e ms t o d e r iv e N umb e r from Tim e by th e id e a

of s ucc e s s io n , b ut ad mi t s t h at s o me may ap

p re he nd N umb e r by a dir e c t ac t of i nt ui tio n .

1

But s uc c e s s Ion 1s numb e r in Ti me He s ugg e s ts .

t h at S p ac e ,Tim e ,N umb e r,Caus e ,and the r e s t,

“

1
Hi t
s . Sc ie n . Id
e as, bk . ii ,c h
. . ix ,vol i ,
. . . p . 14 3 .
C . v ,
. T HE SCIEN C E OF T RU TH . 14 5

may b e t e r me
d di ffe re nt fo rm s of the imp ul s e
of t he mi n d t o g e ne raliz e !
” 1
Thi s , of co urs e ,
is m ul tiplyi ng as s ump t io ns a p r i or i ,and not
r e as o ni ng fromt h e m,an d wo rs e ns the d e fe c t
of his mas t e r K an t H ow e v e r, I cl ai m D r
. .

Wh e w e ll t o b e on my s id e ; or rat h e r, I wi s h
t o s ay , wi t h S i nc e re h umi li ty , t h at I cl aim t o

b e on his s id e wh e n h e i s righ t In his Nov .

“
.

Org . he s ay s , To co unt a num

be r , is fro m the fi rs t op e ni ng of man s m e n t al
’

fac ul ti e s an O p e ratio n which no s ci e nc e c an

re nd e r mo re p re ci s e T he re l at io ns of Sp ac e
.

ar e n e ar e s t t o t ho s e of N umb e r , in ob vio us

and uni ve rs al e vi de nc e T he id e a of r e s e m
.

b lanc e may b e n ot ic e d as co mi ng ne x t t o S p ac e
and N umb e r in origi nal p re ci s io n
”
Th e n .
“

”
Caus e ,v ag ue and g e ne ral But t he o t h e r .

id e as on which s ci e nc e d e p e nd s ,are not un

fold e d t ill a much l at e r p e riod of i nt e ll e c t ual
prog re s s Al s o , at p 17 1, he s e e m
. s to .

ad mi t t h at t he t rue co urs e of s ci e nt ific id e as

b e gi ns w i th Numbe r He is w ri t i ng hi s t o ry ,.

b ut I am d e d uci ng t ho ugh t and S ci e nc e has

1 “
Hi t S
s . c ie n . I de a , b k
s 1L ,Ch ixe V O10 in P 14 6 ,n .

2
P g 62
a e .
14 6 PHILOSOPHY OR , § 10.

g row n by fi t s and s t arts i rre g ul arly It is .

man s b us i ne s s t o r e d uc e his t ho ugh t s t o o rd e r

’
.

Oth e r me t aphy s ici ans i mp rov e on the d e fe c t s

of t h e s e g re at e x ampl e s ,by m ul t iply i ng s uch

d e fe c ts mo re and mo re , as s umi ng as m any

i nt ui tio ns as t h e r e are tho ugh t s which t h e y
lik e as p ri ncipl e s ; and t hi nk t h e i r ip s e di n i t
of an i n t ui t io n a s uffici e n t re as on for i t s

b e i ng g rant e d as a fund am e ntal p ri ncipl e of

t he h u man mi n d At l as t c ome s Mr S p e nc e r,
.
1
.

w h o arriv e s at th e clim ax of ab s urdi ty , b y

i ns i s ti ng on an i nt ui t i on for e v e ry p robl e m
of E uclid ,by which i nt u i t io n h e j u mp s t o a

co ncl us io n,fro m t he c ro ok e d fig ure he mak e s

on t he p ap e r b e fo re him, t o al l t he s t raigh t

figu re s which e ve r did or c an e xi s t ! A s p e ci e s

of s e qu i tur , which ,n o do ub t , i nd uc e d N e w t o n

t o w ri t e in his E uclid , Hi e L i b e r aut nul lus

de c i e s r ep e ti tus amatur , wh e nc e ,b y an i n
t ui t i on, q ui t e as w e ll found e d , I migh t c on

e l u d e , Homo e s t b ip e s i m p lumis
”
u nfath e re d bip e d , as a S co t ch man migh t p ro

n ounc e i t , and c re at e d b y a co nco urs e of

at om s !

1
D M C o h on I ntuition
r . c s s.
 T HE SCIENCE or T RU T H . 14 7

T he T r i ni ty o f the H uman Ill i nd .

Our fi rs t s t an dp omt w as t he d e d uc t i on of a
Th re e fold in our fi rs t Cogni tio n, which w e
p rov e d th at nobody co uld re fus e t oad mit W e .

h av e now re ach e d ano th e r r e markabl e po s i t i on .

W e h av e ar ri ve d by d e d uc t i on,ap r i or i ,from
our origi nal as s ump t io n of s o me k n owl e dg e ,

as an e xi s t i ng t hi ng , at N umb e r, S p ac e , an d

Ti me the t h re e g re at m e as ure s of all bodily

—

e xi s t e nc e s und e r th e s un . Havmg re ach e d t hi s

v e ry r e m ark abl e s tandp oi nt ,w e s ub mi t th at w e
have re ach e d our fi rs t s t ag e in t he t rue philo
S ophy of mi nd s , bodi e s , and word s P l ai n
.

r e as on co nfut e s the e r ro rs of s c e p t ici s m,and

e s t abli s h e s t h at l ogic al T ri ni ty , which has
“

b e e n di mly s e e n by s ome of the g re at e s t an d

mo s t t ho ugh t ful m e taph y s ic al re as one rs , th at
'

th e wo rld has prod uc e d ,from P l at o t oN e w t o n,

b oth i ncl ud e d .

Thi s , T ri nal s y mm e try in Uni t y ,is t he fun

dame nt al l aw of t he h um an Mi nd ,t he di mme d
im ag e of it s M ak e r Man c annot re as on c or
.

r e c tl
y wi tho ut co nfe s s i ng in w ord s ,logic ally ,

t he g re at e s t of al l r e ve al e d t r ut h s T he h uman
.

mi nd is al s o one ,b ut it al s o has thr e e c om

H2
 48 PHILOSOPHY O R, § 11.

po ne nt fac to rs ,which all m e taph y s ici ans ,mo re

or l e s s ,h av e di mly p e rc e i ve d —
E mo tio n, In
t e l le c t , Will ; or P as s i ons , Fac ul t i e s , S e nt i

me nt s ; or the S e ns e , the Und e rs t andi ng , and

t he Re as o n — t hat high e r Re as o n which domi

nat e s , di re c t s , an d p ur ifi e s. T he ad mi s s i on of
one E xi s t e nc e do e s , of n e c e s s i t y , acco rd i ng t o

t h e c ons t i t ut i on of man s mi nd,n e c e s s arily ad

’

mit and p re s upp os e thr e e o rigi nal e xi s t e nc e s

-

t h re e B e i ng s ,n ot t h e p art s ,b ut t he F ac tor s ,t he

P e rs o ns ,t he c omp one nt Uni ts i n t h at Divi ne

Uni ty . T he v e ry fi rs t s t e p in k nowl e dg e , the
ve ry fi rs t c og ni t i on t h at man c an po s s ibly
m ak e , d oe s l ogic ally co nfe s s thi s g re at t rut h ,
of t hr e e uni t s , fac t o rs i n uni t y —
the t ruth ,

which w as , in t he ful ne s s of t i me ,t o b e re
v e al e d in all i t s mor al S ig nific anc e in t he
w ri t i ng s of h umbl e and igno rant J e wi s h
P e as ant s .

Th us is the M o ral M aj e s ty and Wi s d om

of God vi ndic at e d , by c onfut i ng th e h e s i t a

t i ng wi s do m of t he wo rld by t he s imp l ic it y
‘

of t h e h umbl e ; by di re c t i ng t h e i r w ord s , n ot

t o the I nt e ll e c t ual ,b ut t o t he mo ral , t o t rut h s

high e r th an t he i nt e ll e c t ; e nl argi ng , and

C . v ,
. T HE SCIENCE OF T RU T H . 14 9

e x t e ndi ng , and rai s i ng , and p urifyi ng the

t h ough t s of philo s oph e rs , by t h e mo ral
t h ough t s re ve al e d t o t h e ig no rant , and r e

ve al e d in wo rd s , wi t ho ut t he fo rm of t he
logici an, or the wo rldly s kill of h um an s c i
e nc e , b ut c onfi rm e d by man s high e s t R e as o n
’
.

I th ank t h e e , O H e av e nly Fat h e r, Lord of s

h e av e n and e ar th , s aid the man J e s us , re

”

O ICIn In S pi ri t , t h at t ho u h a t hid t h
j g s e s e

t hi ng s fro m t he wi se an d p rud e nt and r e v e al e d

t h e m unt o b ab e s ; e ve n s o, Fat h e r , for s o it

”
s e e m e d good in t h igh t
y s .

Thi s is t rue Re v e l at i on ,wh e re the high e s t

moral t ruth s are not di s c ove re d by p hil os o
h e rs , b ut are p rocl ai me d O p e nly and pl ai nly
p
as God s t r ut h , b y t he p e as ant ,not in t he
’

wo rd s of man s wi s do m, b ut s o t h at t he
’

mo s t wi s e an d t he mo s t ig no rant of h um an
ki n d c an e qually h e ar or r e ad ,and mo rally
und e rs t and , and t h e re wi t h e nl arg e , e l e v at e ,

and i mp rove t h e i r e mo t i ons ,i nt e ll e c t ,and will .

T he S c i e n tifi c E x p r e s s i ons E s t a
b lis he d —
T he co ncl us i ons w e h av e d e d uc e d
fro m our fi rs t ass ump t l on, th at know le dg e
e x is ts , are t h e s e —
T he t ho ug h t of the S e lf
 15 0 PHILOSOPHY ; OR ,

K no wl e dge of t he Fi rs t E xi s te nc e is t o man,
T ri ni ty in Uni ty ,and a Uni ty
n e c e s s ar i l , a
y
in Tri n i ty Which is a logic al co nfe s s io n of
.

m an s h umili ty and ig noranc e of t he co ns t i

’

t ut ion of t he Godh e ad , s av e as a Th re e fold

Uni ty .

H uman K nowl e dge M i nd i nt o T hi ng ;

i nt o W 0 r d t he p r oduc t Of Mi nd s , Bodi e s ,
and W ord s .

All thi ng s k now n t o man co ns i s t of

A nu mbe r is a na me d su m of s impl e i ts
un

A g e ne ral word or Uni ve r s al is a nam e d

p ro

duc t of comp ound uni t s .

Infini te Numbe r is Uni ty I nt o I nfi ni ty ,or t he

p rod uc t of one and i nfi ni ty ,or ne v e r e ndi ng -

ne s s .

Infin i te T i me is N umb e r i nt o Mi nd , or t he
prod uc t of thoug hts and i nfi ni te numbe r .

And Infin i te Sp ac e is N umb e r i nt o Body ,i nt o

Tim e ,or t he prod uc t of i nfi ni te Numbe r s
of Bodi e s in T i me .

Th e s e t hr e e gre at i nfi ni te b
a s t rac t word s or
 THE SCIENCE OF T RU T H . 15 1

tho ugh t s are s t r ic tly fo rm e d acco rdi ng t o the

r ul e i n t he l as t ch ap t e r—
viz ,as t he prod uc t s
.

of t he lik e ne s s e s of t he i ndivid ual uni t s of t he

cl as s Th us the lik e ne s s e s which e ach numb e r

.

has t o o t h e r numb e rs are the uni t s it is c om

po s e d of,and t he pow e r t o go on and t ak e an
o t h e r and ano t h e r s t e p t h at is ne ve r e nding ne s s
-

or i nfini ty . Th e re fo re , the Gre at Ab s t rac t

T e rm, N UMBER , is the p rod uc t of u ni ty and
i nfi ni ty . S o the lik e ne ss which e ach uni t of
Ti me has t o ano th e r t i me , is numbe r s or s uc
'

c e s s io ns of lik e mi nd s , thoug hts , or s tat e s of

mi nd . Th e re fo re , b y our rul e , in the l as t
ch ap t e r , the Gre at A b s t rac t , TI ME , is th e
p rod uc t of the t w o fac t ors , Numbe r and
M i nd or t ho ugh t s .

S o the lik e ne s s which e ach uni t of s p ac e

has t o e v e ry Ot h e r uni t of S p ac e ,i s t he s uc
c e s s ive po s s ibili ty of a b od in ti me filli ng it
y .

Th at s ucc e s s ive po s s ibili ty of i nt e rac tio n,b e

t w e e n Body ,an d Ti me ,r e mo vi ng and r e s t ori ng

i t , is our co nc e p t io n of the uni t of S p ac e

an d, t h e re for e ,b o ur r ul e in the l as t ch ap t e r ,
y
t he Gr e at Ab s t r ac t Word , S P ACE , is the p ro
 52 P HI L O SO P HY OR, [ C . v , 12
.
§ .

d c t of the t hre e
u fac tors — l- N umb e r,and Ti me ,
and Bod y ,i . e .

S p ac e = N umb e r Ti me B ody .

But in t hi s p rod uc t body is neg at ive It .

is abs e nc e in t i me b e t w e e n numb e r s of o th e r
bodi e s , t h at p rod uc e s our id e a of S p ac e So .

I t hi nk t he re p e t i t io n of lik e th ough t s or ,
T i me is the n eg ati ve of p e rfe c t Mi nd , and
t h e re for e , Tim e an d S p ac e are bo t h origi nall y

n e ati ve s , b ut n ot t h e re fore n on e n t i t i e s
g
-
.

Now , if w e s ub s t i t ut e in t he ab ove e qua

t i on for S p ac e , t he v al ue of Ti me , al re ady

e s t abli s h e d , w e s h ould h av e I nfi ni t e N umb e r

t wic e o ve r, or n umb e rs u po n numb e rs , and

Mi nd and Body ; and w e t h us arri ve at an

e xp r e s s i on for i nfi ni t e S p ac e , as b e i ng e q ui

v al e nt t o i nfi ni t e n umb e rs up on nu mb e rs of
,

m ind s an d bodi e s ! We arri ve , in fac t , by

de du c ti on, at t he s ol e mn fe e li ng and the
s ubli me e xp re s s io n, which a Chri s t i an philo

s 0 ph e r migh t fi nd r i s i ng t o his lip s , on

s o me s t arr nigh t , wh e n, g azi ng from his
y
ob s e rv at o ry , i n t he mid s t of s o me gre at
c e nt re of h uman life , and l ookmg upw ard s
 C . v ,
. THE SCIENCE or T RU T H .

t o t he i nfi ni te n umb e rs of s t arry bodi e s , in

t he S p ac e ab ov e his h e ad , an d d ow n w ard s t o

t he i nfi ni t e n umb e rs of ml nds lik e his ow n

on t he E art h at his fe e t ; and t h e n dr e am s ,

lik e a child , of t he p owe r,an d wi s do m, and

g ood ne s s , and the r e ve ale d p urp os e of his
Cre at or, t o p e opl e a univ e rs e of w orld s wi th
an i nfi ni ty of ne ve r dyi ng , i nt e llig e nt , an d
-

mo ral b e i ng s !
I f s uch a phil os oph e r, e ng age d in s uch
c ont e mpl ati on, has had t he s ubli me h appi ne s s
t o l e ar n h umili ty at t he fe e t of J e s us ,and has

l e arnt t o s t ruggl e ,by the g rac e of God , euc

c e s s ful ly t o s ome e x t e nt , t o k e e p dow n th at

i nfe rnal p rid e which p re ve nt s man fro m hum

bli ng hi ms e lf e v e n t o his Cre at or,he may p os
s ib ly c all t o mi n d th at fi rs t oc c as i on on which ,

in pl ai n and unmi s tak abl e wo rd s , a w aywo rn

J e wi s h p e as ant , w e ari e d wi th his j o urne y ,
s at by a w e ll s id e ,and s aid t o a g uil t y wo man,
-

I th at s p e ak unt o t h e e am He ! t he M e s s i ah ;
”

God is a S pi ri t , and th e y t h at wo rs hip Him

m us t w ors hip Him in s pi ri t and in t r uth T b e
F atb e r s e e ke th s uc b t o mars /t ip Hi m !
”
Will
not s uch a phil os oph e r ,I as k ,as he look s dow n

H5
15 4 PHILOSOPHY ; on [ o v.
,512 .

in co nte mplat ion on the millio ns upo n millio ns

of ig norant ,and t ho ugh t l e s s , and g uil t y me n

and wom e n on the e ar th b e low him ,and up

w ard s t o t he m any m ans io ns in His Fatb e r s ’

Hous e , e xcl aim al s o ,in the word s of his L ord

and S avio ur on t he s am e occ as io n, Truly ,
th e h arv e s t is pl e nt i ful , b ut t h e l abo ur e rs are

fe w ; pray ,t h e r e for e ,t he Lord of the H arv e s t

t h at he wo uld s e nd for th l abo ur e rs i nt o His

H arv e st
C . VL ,
§ l .
] T HE S CIENCE OF T RUT H . 15 5

CH A P T E R VI .

SCIEN T IFIC T RU TH A ND CERTAIN TY .

( )
L Nu me r i c al
S c i e n t ific Ce r tai n ty .

Le t us co ns id e r wh at i s me ant b y S ci e nt ific
T ruth and Ce r tai nty We h av e d e mo ns t rat e d
.

t h at e ve ry ab s t rac t wo r d or g e ne ral name is a

n umb e r, t he p rod uc t of t w o or mo re fac t or s ,

unt il w e co me t o an i nd e co mp os abl e w or d, a '

v e rb al uni t ; e ach fac to r of a compo und word

b e i ng i t s e lf the ab s t rac t word or g e ne ral nam e
for one of the like ne ss e s in any uni t of t he c l ass .

T he wo rd pl ane t ri angl e ,which m e ans al l the

-

pl ane t ri angl e s t h at e v e r did or c an e xi s t ,i s ,for

e x ampl e ,th e prod uc t of t he t h ough t s or wo rd s ,

P l ane fi g ure x t h re e righ t li ne s T he mo s t

-
.

m at e ri al and mo s t c e rt ai n p art of t hi s de fi ni
t io n is the numb e r thr e e ,th e n um e ric al l ik e ne s
15 6 PHILOSOPHY ; OR , [ 0 . v1, § 1
.

w hich all t ri angl e sh av e t o one ano th e r Onc e

.

w e c an apply ap ur e ar i t h me t ic al n umbe r t o t he

uni t of any cl as s as a lik e ne ss of al l t he un i t s of

t he cl as s , w e at o nc e h av e a defin i te cl as s ; for

a p ur e ari th me t ic al n umb e r c an ne ve r b e c on

fo und e d wi t h any o th e r We c an ne ve r c on
.

fo und a pl ane t ri angl e wi th any o th e r fig ure .

Our s e ns e s may fail us , of co urs e , in d e t e r

mi ni ng Wh e th e r any e x t e rnal i ndi vid ual fall s
wi t hi n the cl ass in s e e i ng or t ouchi ng the
numb e r of S id e s or angl e s ,or k nowi ng wh e th e r

t he S id e s are s t ral g h t , &c , an d s o l e av e us

.

do ub tful , aft e r full e x ami nat i on,wh e t h e r the

e x t e r nal u ni t b e lo ng s t o t he i nt e r nal cl ass or

n ot ; b ut t he mi n d n e v e r c a n c onfoun d one

ari t hm e t ic al numb e r wi t h ano t h e r . T he c on

c re t e applicatio n,the value and uti li ty of our
ab s t rac t co n c e p t io ns may d e p e n d on our b e i ng

abl e t o c oun t and m e as ur e e x t e r nal t hi ng s ,

b ut the p ur e tr utb of our r e as oni ng is q ui t e

i nd e p e nd e nt of all e x t e rnal t hi ngs wh ate ve r .

Onc e , for e xampl e , t h at w e h av e g ot t he

word i s oc e le s t ri angl e , me ani ng , h avi ng t w o
e q ual S id e s , w e c an n e v e r me nt ally mi s t ak e a
C. v1,
§ l .
] T HE SCIENCE OF T RU T H . 15 7

unit of t h ei nt e rnal me ntal cl as s for any t hi ng

e ls e. Thi s nume r i c al c e rt ai nty r uns t h rough
al l p u re an d mix e d math e m at ic s , an d al l
mat h e mat ic al name s are t h us re nd e re d c e r
t ai n ,viz , by t aki ng a u ni t of s p ac e , a uni t of
.

ti me , a uni t of ve l oci ty , a uni t of fo rc e , a

un i t of mas s , and s o on , t h us i nt r od uci n g t he

c e rt ai nt y of ari th me tic al n umb e r i nt o all

mat h e mat ic al re as o ni ng ; e ach ne w s e t or
cl as s of uni t s ,b e comi ng th e mse l ve s me as ure s
of s o me high e r an d mor e co mpo und cl as s ,an d

c arryi ng w i th t h e m the c e rtai nty of arithme

t ic al n umb e rs , wi t h s uch amo un t of e x t ernal

c e rtai nty as the di s cov e re d uni t of the ne w

cl ass may p os s e s s .

It d oe s n ot app e ar t o me , t h at t he vi t al
i mpo rt anc e of t hi s acc urate nume r i c al me a
s ure m e nt of th e uni t s of a s ci e nt ific cl as s i s

s uffici e n tl a ppr ci at d b n at u ral hil o o

y e e y p s

h e T h e acc ur at e m e as ur e m e nt s i n numb e r,
p rs .

s p ac e , and t i me , wh e re applic abl e , and of

m as s ,and forc e ,and ve loci t y w h e re me as ur

abl e , are th e o nly r o ad t o c e rtai nty of
t h ough t s co nc e rni ng e x t e r nal nat ure , which

is f ul l of num e ric al m ar ve l s y e t t o b e dis ,

 58 PHILOSOPHY ; OR , [ 0 . VI, § 1 .

cov e re d .One pl ant or ammal , t he re l a

ll

t io ns of who s e p ar ts w e r e acc urat e ly me a

s ure d an d r e co rd e d nume r i c all , migh t do

y
mo re th an y e ars s p e nt in loo s e co mp ari s o ns
an d anal ogic al arg u me nt s abo ut q uali ti e s ,
lik e ne s s e s , i nte ns i ti e s , &c , &c N umb e r , . .

S p ac e , and tim e are the t h re e g re at m e as ur e r s

and c e rt ifi e rs of all nat ural e x t e rnal ph e n o

m e na N o cl as s c an have any acc urate s c ie n

.

t ifi c value t ill i t is found e d on n umb e r, s p ac e ,

and t i me , appli e d t o t he p art s of th e uni t of

t he cl as s Typ e s are us eful,b ut numb e rs are

.

tr u e Typ e s are r ul e of t h umb cl as s ific at i on,

m
.

b ut nu e ric ally me as ure d p art s are t h e o nl y

'

found at i on of al l tr ue cl as s ific at io n .

Cuvi e r s di s co ve ry of t h e co r re l atio n of t he
’

p art s of e ve ry o rgani s e d b e i ng aw ai t s t he
'

i nd us t rio us me as ur e me nts of al l ob s e rv e rs , in
t h e ir ow n p art ic ul ar d e p ar t me nt of nat ural

philo s ophy T he co rre l at i ons are , w i tho ut

.

do ub t , num e ric al and d e fi ni te , if w e o nly

s e ar c h d e e ply e no ugh t o fi nd t h e m T he ve ry .

ampl ,i n P hyll ota i o l af m

1
A ,fo s r ex e g t , in x s r e arran e en

B otany, d num ic l ymm t y in C h mi t y, C y t l

an er a s e r e s r r s a

l og p h y , P hy iol ogy, &

ra T h c o l ti o
s to b ct ul y
. e r re a ns e r

s ci ntific ,mu t b e nume ical,and natu i full of th m

e s r re s e .
C . v 1, T HE SCIENCE OF T RU T H . 15 9

h ai rs o f m an s h e ad are numb e re d ; and,in my

’

opi nio n, I t hi nk t he t im e will c om e , wh e n ,

from s om e obvio us an d s e lf e vid e nt ph e no

-

me non,w e m ay b e abl e t o de mo ns t rat e in almo st

all c ase s , t h at t he nu mb e r of al l t h e p art s

of an o rg ani s m l ie b e t w e e n the li mi t s n an d n
’

Wh e n the l aw s of o rgani s e d bodily s tr uc tur e

h ave b e e n s t udi e d wi t h a t rue and acc urat e
phil os ophic al m e thod , by num e ric al m e ns ura
t io n, I t hi nk thi s will b e fo un d t o b e t he

c as e .

E x t rav ag ant as thi s may app e ar t o philo

S oph e rs w ho s it down c onte nt e d wi t h typ e s ,
an d de r e e s , an d i n te ns i ti e s , w ho s t ill b e li e v e
g
t h at t h e r e is s om e origi nal and fund am e n t al

di ffe re nc e in nat ure , b e t w e e n w h at Lock e

c all e d t he p r imary and s e c ondary q uali ti e s of
m at t e r,who do not s e e th at the whol e di ffe r
e nc e li e s in m an s ow n d ull p e rc e p t io ns ,in his
’

ow n d ull bodily org aniz at io n,which i t is the

b us i ne s s , and the pl e as ure , and the d uty of

his mi nd t o r e mov e far t h e r and fart h e r from
ag e t oag e e
y ,t s ur e ly , s om e of t h e s e philo
S oph e rs o ugh t t o b e Sh ak e n in th e ir O pi nio n,
wh e n th e y r e me mb e r, t h at t o m any gre at
 16 0 PHILO SOPHY ; OR , to w , § 1
.
.

phil os oph e rs of ol d,moti on and v e l oci ty ,and

m any o th e r s ci e nt ific w ord s or tho ugh ts ,w e re
mys t e rio us , and g rad ual , and i nt e ns e ; t h at
b e fore the d ay s of N e w t o n f or c e al s o w as
S pok e n of as sy no ny mous wi t h the vi r tue “ ”

” ”
and t he i n fl ue nc e , and the p ow e r of the
pl ane t s or o th e r bodi e s , and ad mi t t e d of
i nte ns i ty and deg r e e s , in pl ac e of uni t s and
m e as ure s in n umb e r,and s p ac e , and t i me .

T he p ri mary q u ali t i e s of M at t e r , as Lock e

c all e d th e m, viz , s olidi ty , e x t e ns io n, fig ure ,
.

mot i on, or re s t , are no more in t he e x t e rnal

bodi e s w e s e e ,t h an our mi nd s are in t he e x
t e rnal bodi e s w e s e e ; i ns t e ad of i n our ow n

b odi e s Th e y are m e re ly lo os e and i nacc urat e

.

t h ough ts , me nt al e xi s t e nc e s , or t hi ng s e x

p re ss e d by wo rd s , and c an o nly b e c ome t r ue

and c e rt ai n t h ough t s and s ci e nt ific wo r d s ,

wh e n,and s o far as , t h e y are me as u rabl e by

numb e r ,t i me , an d s p ac e .

So t he s e co nd ary q uali t i e s of M at t e r ,
colo urs , s o und s , t as te s , s me ll s , &c , as has
.

b e e n mo re g e ne rally ad mi t t e d , are j us t t he
s ame ; me r e rvor ds for th ough t s in our
mi nd s , and no thi ng i n th e obj e c ts th e ms e l ve s
C VI ,
. . T HE SCIENCE OF T RU T H . 16 1

t h at w e c an po s s ibly k now S olidi ty and .

c olo u r are b ot h me re unk n ow abl e s o me thi ng s ,

powe rs t o p rod uc e e ffe c ts upo n our d ull and
i mp e rfe c t bodily o rg aniz at i on W h e n it is .

s aid , w e c annot me as ure s e c ond ary q uali t i e s

in t he s ame w ay in which w e m e as ure

p ri mary q uali t i e s by a me re addi ti on of
at i s me r e ly s ayi ng t h at w e h av e
”1
p ar ts , t h
n ot y e t di s co ve r e d h ow t o me as ure t h e m by
l

numb e r ; w e h ave n ot y e t g ot or di s cov e re d

t r ue and c e r t ai n me as urabl e uni ts We do .

not e t k n ow wh at a d oubl e c o l o ur or a
y
t re bl e c olo ur is , j us t as b e fore t he d ay s of

N e w t o n w e did not k now w h at a do ubl e forc e

or a t re bl e forc e w as .

Th e re is h e re , as I s ub mi t ,a w ant of fai t h
in the h u man mi nd , Why s ho uld w e n ot go
on wi t h our ph ot om e t e rs , py rome t e r s , hy g ro

me t e rs , maki ng b e t t e r and b e t te r e x ampl e s

of t he s y s t e mat ic re d uc t io n of s e ns ibl e q uali

t i e s t o mod e s of num e ric al m e as u re me n t ,

2 ”

unt il s ome ne w N e w t on s h all ari s e , w ho will

t e ll us for c e r t ai n w h a t a do ubl e c ol our or a

1
W h e we ll , Hi t s . S c ie n . Id a ,
e s l i ,p
vo . . . 332 .

2
Ib id,v ol i ,p 3 35
. . . .
16 2 PHILOSOPHY ; OR, [ 0 . v1, § 1 .

t re bl e h e at is , and how it mus t b e t ho ugh t of,

j us t as t he old N e w t on told us w h at a d oubl e
or t re bl e forc e is , an d how Fo rc e mus t b e

t houg ht of by all me n of s ci e nc e ?
'

Why s ho uld t h e re not b e a s ucc e s s i on of

N e w t ons me n b e g inmng wi t h th e fe ar of
?

t he Lo rd of H os t s , the God of Ab rah am; and

I s aac , and Jac ob , th e One t r ue and only God,

me n w ho may s e arch wi t h t he S i mplici ty of
.

child re n an d t he e ne rgy of me n, and may

fi nd me ans t o b ri ng t he p al s i e d mi nd s of t h e i r
fe llow me n furth e r i nt o t he p re s e nc e of t he
D ivi ne W or d ; who may t ak e off the h ous e t Op
of h uman t ho ugh t s t h at hid e t he T rut h from

manki nd ; and may b e abl e in p ure wo r d s t o

t e ach us ne w w ond e rs fro m t h at oce an of t ruth ,

i n to which N e w t on has hi th e rt o c as t the mos t

ill us t ri ous p e bbl e ? N e w t on hi ms e lf di s co
v e re d t h at t he c olour e d S p e c t rum of the S un s ’

ra s c an b e re d u c e d t o t he m us ic al nume r i c al
y
s c al e , b ut t he di s cov e ry has re mai n e d b a rre n,

an d our b ar mon of col ou rs has y e t t o b e

y
d e v e lop e d s c ie nt ifi Cal ly l
.

Mr . R u kin di ct
s re s us to p e e p t h ough a qua e h ole in
r s r

a b it of ca d r in or de r to fi nd t h e h a mony of c ol our in
r
C . w, T HE SCIENCE OF T RU TH . 16 3

Ce r tai nty by Sp ac e , T i me , and Num

be rs . Ne w ton W e s ay , h ow e v e r , th at t he
—

t r uth and c e r t ai nt y of e ve ry s ci e nt ific ab s t rac t

t ho ugh t d e p e nd s on our fi ndi ng s o me n um e

r ic al me as ure for i t ,i n s p ac e an d t im e , i e , . .

s om e me as urabl e uni t , whi c h c an c onv e rt t h e

i mp e rfe c t v e rb al numb e r i nt o a p e rfe c t me nt al

nume ric al nu mb e r .

T he t rut h of t hi s is , p e rh ap s , b e s t ill us
t rat e d by t he di s p ut e w e h av e all ud e d
t o, t he mo s t ill us t rio us t h at has occ u rr e d

i n th e hi s t ory of s ci e nc e B e for e t he t im e
.

of N e w t o n, t he ab s t ra t Wo rd f or c e w as
q
as v ag ue and uns e t tl e d as any m od e rn .

p se ud o s c ie nt ifi c t e rm c an b e It w as s y no
-
.

ny mous wi t h p ow e r , and i nfl ue nc e , an d vi rt ue ,

an d w as s t r on and i n t e ns e , an d ad mi t t e d of
g
de g r e e s N obody kne w , t ill N e w t on t augh t
.

t h e m, wh at t o und e rs tan d b y a dou b le forc e ,

or a tr e b le forc e T he ab s t rac t t e r m fo rc e
.

h ad a m e ani ng, b ut i t w as not nume r i c al or

n
at ure ,an d our w all s c ove e d wit h p e ckle d dabs c all e d
are r s

t h e Me dia val S ch ool of P ai nti ng ,fi tte d ath e

e fo s avage s
r r r

th an ci iliz d me n, and li ttl e at te mp t i made t o s e a ch ,

v e s r

with cie ntific p e cision, for the true l aws of h armonious

s r

colouri ng .
 PHILOSOPHY ; OR, 2 .

m e as ure d b y s p ac e and t i me , and w as t h e re

fo re not acc urat e ,or t rue , or s ci e nt ific .

Wh e n N e w t o n,by an ac t of me ntal vig our ,

which has mad e him the mo s t ill us t ri ous man
of s ci e nc e t he wo rld has e ve r s e e n, p e rc e i ve d

how t hi s v ag ue ab s t rac t t e rm w as t o b e
t rul y me as ur e d by n umb e r , and s p ac e , and

t i me , hi s c oncl us io n w as di s p ut e d by a phi

l os op he r only s e co nd t o hi ms e lf . Le ib ni t z
and N e w t on w e re , p e rh ap s , t he t w o g re at e s t

philo s oph e rs and abl e s t me n of s ci e nc e t h at

e ve r liv e d at t he s ame t i me t og e t h e r up on

t hi s e ar t h . T o t he one w e ow e t he wo nd e rs
of m od e rn as t ro nomy , an d t o t he o t h e r , t o a

g re at e x t e nt , t he cl e arne s s of the mod e rn

c alc ul us . N e w t o n po s s e s s e d t he cl e are s t
t ho ugh t s , an d Le ib ni t z t he cl e are s t wo rd s .

T he q ue s t io n w as , h ow is f or c e t o b e c om
p are d s ci e ntific ally wi t h sp ac e Wh at re l at io n
.

e xi s t s b e t w e e n t h e fo rc e s which c aus e a body

t o mov e an d th e s p ac e s t h rough which t he

body d oe s mov e . Bo th t h e s e g re at me n
t h ough t that t he y w e r e di s c us s i ng a q ue s t io n
~

of r e al e xi s t e nc e , and not a me re q ue s t i on of

w or ds . B ot h ag re e d th at t he mome nt umor
C m,. T HE SC IENCE OF T RU TH . 16 5

forc e of a movi ng bod y vari e d di re c t ly as it s

m as s ,and di re c tly as it s ve loci ty ,and N e w t on,
who s e t h ough t s w e r e cl e are s t ,di s c ove r e d and
p e rc e iv e d , in his ow n mi nd , t h at a doub le
ve loc i t
y me an t a doub le p
s ac e in t he me
sa

t i me ,and id th at forc e vari e d as the s p ac e ;

sa

b ut th e Le ib ni t zi ans app e al e d t o e xp e ri me nt ,
and m e as ure d t he s p ac e s which b ull e t s urg e d

b y di ffe re nt forc e s would p e ne t rat e a b ank of

e arth ,and fo un d t h e s p ac e s v ary as the s uar e
q
r oot of the v e loci t a n d t h e r e for e i ns i s t e d
y;
t h at forc e v ari e d as t h e s q uar e of t he s p a ce ,
and t h at t h e y h ad p r o ve d i t by e xp e ri me nt .

I f e ve r t h e re c ould b e a que s t io n c on
c e rni ng t he t ruth of re ali ty , or r e al thi ng s ,
t hi s , at fi rs t S igh t , w ould app e ar t o b e s uch ,

an d al l t h e phil os oph e rs of E urop e w e re

divid e d , and w armly d e b at e d the que s t io n .

It w as cl e ar fac t , as s o me t ho ugh t , O ppo s e d

t o N e w ton s cl e ar t h ough t or th e o ry La
’
.

grang e ,w e b e li e v e , fi rs t s ugg e s t e d , t h at t he
di s p ut e w as only ab out w ords ! viz , Wh at .

s h all we c all f or c e or mom e nt um But ?

Wo rd s are t hi ng s in s ci e nc e and phil os ophy ,

and N e w t o n s t ho ugh t w as cl e ar and t r ue
’

,
166 PHILO SOPHY ; OR , § 2 .

and t o us who h av e s ucc e e d e d as it w e re

t o t h e rich i nh e ri t anc e of w o rd s p re p ar e d

b y N e w t on s t hi nki ng , it app e ar s ,an d is ,n ot

’

only t rue b ut n e c e s s ary .A c l e ar he ade d

e

m od e rn math e matici an c anno t co nc e i ve oth e r

wi s e t h an as N e w t o n t ho ugh t ; he c anno t
co nc e iv e the co nt rary , or how a do ubl e or
t re bl e forc e co uld po ss ibly b e t h ough t t o

s e nd t he s ame body i n t he s ame t i me t h ro ugh

'

any oth e r th an a d oubl e or t re bl e s p ac e ; an d

he at onc e di s t i ng ui s h e s t he Le ib ni tzi an e xp e
ri me n t s i n t o co ns t antly di mi ni s hi ng forc e s .

He p rono unc e s N e w t o n ne c e s s ar i ly righ t ,

al t h ough n o s uch s i n le forc e , ac t i ng i n s p ac e
g
as N e w t o n co nc e i ve d ,is k now n or p rov e d t o

e xi s t in e x t e r nal nat ure .

N e w t o n s t h ought of F or c e is c le ar,t rue ,

’

and n e c e s s ar y in t he mi nd , an d mak e s
f orce

a p ure ly t rue s ci e nt ific id e a, or t ho ugh t , or

w ord , me as urabl e by numb e r , s p ac e , and

t im e. It i s t he fo un d at i on thoug ht or wo r d
of N e w t on s s ci e nc e ; b ut s uch a forc e is not a
’

r e al e x i s t e nc e at al l e xc e p t as thou ht is re al
g
i n e ach m an s mi nd ,and wo r ds are re al in e ach
’

m an s mOuth We c an apply the t ho ugh t t o

’
.
C . THE SCIENCE OF T RUT H
'

. 67

d e d uc e and me as ure the mov e m e nts of the

h e av e nly b odi e s ,and t o p re dic t fut ure ph e no
m e na ; and s o, wi t h N e wt on s aid, mat h e’

matic al as t ronome rs c omp e l the as s e nt of

t h os e l e s s gift e d mi nd s which are p rac t ic al

and n ot id e al ,j us t as w e c an apply n u mb e r s

t o m ak e a c alc ul at i on , or t o do a s u m, or

g e ome t ry t o me as u re t he l e ng t h of a di s t ant
li ne , and t e ll the p rac t ic al man t o g o and
co unt , or me as ure , in o rd e r t o v e rify our
c alc ul at e d r e s ul t , and S O co nvi nc e hi ms e lf of
t h e t r ut h of our s ci e nc e .

N e w t o n S t ho ugh t of simp le fo rc e ,t h e re fo re ,
’ ‘

wh e n o nc e cl e arly pe rc e i ve d in th e mi nd ,is as
t rue an d n e c e s s ary as the t ho ugh t of n umb e r,

t he t ho ugh t of s p ac e , the t ho ug h t of t im e ;

w e c annot thi nk of s i ngl e forc e s o t h e rwi se th an

as v aryi ng dir e c tl wi t h t h e s p ac t hro u gh

y e

w hich t h e y m ov e a gi ve n b ody in a giv e n t i me .

We t e s t t he u t i li ty of the t ho ugh t by applyi ng

i t t o p re dic t fut ur e or p re vi ous ly unk now n
ph e no me na among s t t h e h e ave nly b odi e s .

Thi s s e e ms the univ e rs al t e s t of p ure t r ut h

or re ally t rue t ho ugh t s ,V IZ ,th e D i vi ne P ow e r
.

t o p re dic t fut ure or di s t ant e v e nt s And s o far

.
16 8 PHILOSOPH Y ; OR , [ 0
. w ,§ 2 .

as we are bl e
a to p re dic t the fut ure in
e x t e rn al nat ure , S O far o nly may w e b e li e ve

i n the e x t e rnal t rut h of our i nt e rnal t h ough t s .

But t he n e c e s s i t y is ve rb al ne c e s s i t y
.

Wh e n, for anoth e r e x ampl e , Cuvi e r, e xa

mi ni ng only t h e j awbo ne of t he O po s s um
of M ont mar t re ,pre dic t e d , b e fore t h e r e s t of

t he S k e l e t on w as e x t rac t e d fro m t h e s t ony

m at rix ,t h at i t w as t h at of a mars upi al ani mal ,

an d , i n t h e p r e se nc e of hi s S ci e nt ific fri e n d s ,

p roc e e d e d t o re mov e the mat rix of s t one u nt i !

all anat omi s t s w e re s at i s fi e d of t h e t r ut h of

his p re dic t i on ; h e g ave a p roof, t o a li mi t e d

e x t e n t , of t he t r ut h of his ow n wo n d e rful

t ho ugh t or di s co ve ry ,t h at e v e ry p art of an
o rganiz e d bod y p os s e s s e s s o me fix e d c orre l a
t i on t o e v e ry ot h e r p ar t ; w hich r e l at i ons , it

i s the b us i ne s s of t he s ci e nc e of org anrz e d

bodi e s ,t o di s c ove r,and map out ,and t o me a
s ure , and r e d uc e t o n umb e r, s p ac e ,and t im e .

S o far, t h e re fore , as h uman s ci e nc e e nabl e s

man t o pr e dic t phe nome na, it is t rue and
c e rt ai n ; i e ,wort hy of our c onfid e nt b e li e f,
. .

and n o furth e r Thi s s e e ms the o nly t e s t of

.

ve r b al t r ut h i n t he s ci e nc e s of e x t e rnal nat ur e .
 T HE S C IEN C E OF T RU T H
. 16 9

Wh e n Le ib ni t z d e ni e d t he t ruth of N e w to n s ’

id e a of fo rc e and it s r e l at io n to S p ac e , t he
p rop e r ans we r w as t hi s ; by m e ans of t hi s
word ,b y m e ans of a prim e v al v e loci ty s up
po s e d t o b e prod uc e d b y a s i ngl e t ang e nt ial
f or c e ac t i n
g o n t he pl ane t s ,an d of t he
f orc e

of gravi t y co ns t ant ly ac t i ng b y N e w t o n s l aw ,
’

w e c an de duc e ,acco unt for ,and p r e di c t m any

ne w and b e fo re unpr e dic t e d ph e n om e na in the

mo t ions o f t he pl ane t s ; our w or d is t r ue .

But w e o ugh t not t o l e t our admirat io n of

wh at N e w t on accompli s h e d , l e ad us t o s up
po s e t h at any s uch thi ng r e all y e v e r e xi s t e d
as a p rim e v al t ang e nt i al forc e , l aunchi ng t h e

pl ane t s i nt o s p ac e wi t h t h e ir e normo us ob
s e r ve d v e loci t i e s ,and i n t he t ang e nt s t o t h e ir

r e s p e c ti ve orbi ts T he s uppo s i t io n, or hy po
.

t h e s i s , of s uch a prim e v al t ang e nt i al forc e is

a m e r e t ho ugh t ,t o re pr e s e nt t he k no w n and

ob s e rv e d e xi s ti ng ph e nom e na of the t ang e nt i al

v e l oci t i e s of the pl ane t s Thi s hypo th e s i s ,of
.

F or c e v ary i ng as the S p ac e ,p rob ab ly at pre se nt

ob s t r uc ts t he p rogr e s s of k nowl e dg e ,t ho ugh
i t e nabl e d N e w t o n t o prov e t he forc e of
g ravi ty as a law of nat ure amo ng s t all the
 70 PHILOSOPHY OR , [C
. v1 ,
.
§ 3 .

pl ane tary bodi e s , and H e rs ch e l t o e x t e nd it

b e yo nd the li mi t s of our s y s te m Wo nd e rful.

as N e w t on s di s c ov e ry of t he l aw of g ravi t y
’

w as ,y e t i t acc oun t s for o nl y a s m all numb e r

of t he mo t i ons an d k now n ph e no me na of t he

pl ane t s . It o ffe rs no e xpl anat i on of t h e i r

r e l at ive ve l oci t i e s in s p ac e , or of th e ir re l a
t iv e w e igh t s and di s tanc e s , or of t h e i r r ot a

t ory ve l oci t i es on t h e i r ow n ax e s .

Gr avi ty a me r e W or d, not a R e ali ty .

—
Th ough N e w t on hi ms e lf t ho ugh t and s aid
t h at he w as n ot fe ig ni ng hyp ot h e s e s ,b ut re a

s o ni ng fro m an d ab out e x t e r nal r e ali t i e s ,y e t

i t is as cl e ar as n oo nd ay ,th at G ravi ty i t s e lf is
a me re w ord , or t h ough t , and t he t i me may

come wh e n it s h all b e re s ol ve d i n t o s ome ot h e r

wo rd , or t h ough t ,and man may b e c ome abl e
t o S h ow how g ravi ty i ts e lf c an b e mad e g re at e r
or le s s wi t ho ut al t e rIng t h e mat t e r of which

at p re s e nt w e t hi nk i t is a p rop e rty Ne w ton

.

hi ms e lf l at t e rly g uard e d hi mse lf fro m b e i ng

s o i nt e rp re t e d , and s aid e xp re s s ly , I do not
'

t ak e g ravi t y for an e s s e nt i al p r op e rt y of

b odi e s , and he S ugge s t e d a me di um varyi ng

”1

1
Adve r tise me nt to s e cond e di tion of Optic s
”
. Can th e
C . VL , T HE SCIENCE OF TRU T H . 17 1

in d e ns i ty ,as a po s s ibl e c aus e of t he g ravi ty

of the h e av e nly b odi e s t o one anot h e r .

We c an al re ady c re at e or i ncre as e the

at t r ac ti on of a m ag ne t ,wi t h out al t e ri ng the

mas s ,b y me re ly p as s i ng a curre nt of e l e c t ri
ci ty in a p art ic ul ar m anne r t h rough an e n
v e l O in wi re , and t he t im e ma c om e wh e n
p g y
w e S h all b e abl e t o i nc re as e or di mi ni s h t he

at t rac t io n of g ravi ty i t s e lf,or S how how it may

b e d one ,wi t ho ut al t e ri ng t he m as s But t he

.

t ruth w e c ont e n d for, an d which w e s ub mi t

w e h av e p r o ve d ,is t h at in all t rue s ci e nce w e

m e re ly i nve n t or di s cov e r ab s t rac t t h ough t s

i n t he mi n d , which mo re or l e s s p e rfe c t ly
r e s e mbl e e x t e rnal ph e nom e na, and e xp re s s
t he m i n w or ds , which mo re or l e s s p e rfe c t ly

e xpl ai n e x t e rnal ph e no me na t o our fe llo w

me n . T he t rue and m e as ure d t h ough t is

e mb odi e d in a w or d,of which w e c an s p e ak ,

b ut c onc e rni ng t h e r e al t hi ng s or id e as t h e m
s e lv e s w e c ann o t s p e ak .

We c onc e ive t he att rac t io n of g ravi ty , as

di s c ov e re d or i nv e nte d by N e w t o n, b ut it is a
e ffe ct l ct icity p as ing th ough a he lix e n e l opi n g
of e e r s r v a

mag ne t,b e in any w ay conne cte d with H e at o Gravity ? r

I Q
17 2 PHILOSOPHY ; OR , § 3 .

m e re thoug ht or word by which w e e xplai n

t o t he mi n d s om e of t he app are nt mo t i ons of

t he pl ane t s , and wh ich word ,F orc e of g ra

vi t , Ne w t o n fi rs t s how e d how t o r e d uc e t o
y
m e as ure m e nt b y numb e r, and s p ac e , and
t i me , and s o cre at e d , b y de duc ti on, t he

s ci e nc e of mod e r n as t r o nomy N e w t on s ow n
’
.

wo rd s for e xpre s s i ng his gre at tho ugh t s h av e

b e e n s up e rse d e d by t he mo re e ffe c tiv e and
s ho rte r wo rd s , which w e ow e chi e fl y t o Le ib

ni t z , t he wo r d s or s ig ns of t he mod e r n c al

c ul ns S till ,w e o ugh t not t o s uppo s e g ravi ty

.

a r e ali t ,which may n ot b e s up e r s e d e d b y

y
s om e b e t te r th e ory or t ho ugh t , w hich w ill

e xpl ai n ,by on e l aw ,n ot o nly t he c e nt ral ,b ut

al s o t h e tang e n t i al an d r ot at o ry v e l oci t ie s ,

an d t he mas se s and di s tanc e s of t he p lane t ary

univ e r s e .

It ; no do ub t , may s o und s t range t o c all

t he fo rc e of g ravi ty a v e rb al t r uth , and t o

s ay t h at i t is alre ad y b e com e a me re idol ,t h at

ob s t r uc t s t he p r ogre s s of k nowle dg e ; b ut ,
for my p art , I h av e v e ry li t tl e do ub t t h at it
IS at t hi s m ome nt rat h e r a bli n d ,hidi ng d e e p e r

t rut h s b e hi nd i t , t h an a t r uly us e ful h y po

C . vr ,
. T HE SCIENC E OF T RU T H .

t he s is , to mbody as t ro no mi c al prog re s s , or
e

s c i e nt ific fac t s .

By talki ng of t he f or c e of gravi ty ,and no

t hi ng b ut gravi ty , as tro nom e rs h av e g ot t o

talk s o m uch ab o ut t he m e c h ani s m of t he

h e av e ns , th at t h e y h alf b e li e ve th e y und e r
a

s tan d our whol e pl ane tary s y s te m , whil s t

t h e y are wholly ig norant o f t h e g re at e st
'

n umb e r of the ph e nom e na, and c anno t giv e

any e xpl anat io n of t he g re at e r numb e r of

t he mo s t obvio us fac t s Not o nly ar e the

'

law s of com e ts wholly unknown,b ut t he mos t

ordi nary plane tary ph e nome na are w holly un
e xpl ai ne d . Why are the d ay s of our Eart h
and V e nus fro m t we nt y t hr e e t o t we nty fo u r
v t -

ho urs lo ng , or ne arly in proport ion t o t h ei r

mas s and s i z e ; b ut t h at of Jupi te r, which is
one t ho us an d t im e s l arg e r ,not h alf s o lo ng ?

Not one of the ax al re vol uti ons of the plane ts

c an t hi s l aw of gravi t y e xplai n in any w ay .

Why has the e arth one moo n, and Ve nus ,

w ithi n the e ar th s orbi t , and , ag ai n, Mars ,
’

wi tho ut the e ar th s orbi t ,ne it h e r of them any

’

moo n at all W hy has Jupi te r,the l arg e st

?

of th e p lane ts , o nly fo ur moo ns ,and S at urn

17 4 P HILOSOPHY ; OR , [C .
,g
v1 s .

se v e n or e ig h t ,and Uranus mo re ,s o me t urne d

t op s y t urvy , and g oi ng r e t rog rad e
- ? Why
do all s e co nd ari e s t urn ne arly t he s ame fac e
t o t h e ir p ri mari e s ,i e ,t urn on t h e i r ax e s in
. .

n e arly t he s ame t i me t h at t h e y g o r o un d t he

pl ane t , and y e t t he pl ane t s vary s o much

b e t we e n t h e i r d ay s , and y e ars ,and s e as o ns ?
A g ain ,why do e s t he mo on t ak e a month t o
go ro und t h e e arth ,and t he moons of J upi te r
and S at urn g o r oun d i n a fe w h ours ? T he
r e as on s for al l t he re l at i ve m as s e s an d dis

t anc e s ,and mo s t of t he mo t i ons of t he pl ane t s ,

are wholly unk now n ; and y e t as t ronom e rs t al k

as if t hi s l aw of gravi t y had t augh t us the

whol e m e ch ani s m of t he h e av e ns wh e n it c an
e xpl ai n ne i th e r t he v e l oci t y of any one pl an e t

ro und t he s un,not it s ow n v e loci ty on it s ow n

axi s .

Wh at S h ould w e s ay of a man w ho s aw t he
(

w e igh t s of t he ch urc h cl ock, b ut co uld not

e xpl ai n how i t w as t h at one h an d w e nt fas t e r

t h an t he o t h e r ,if he p roc e e d e d t o t alk ab out

.

his kno wl e dg e of t he me ch ani s m o f t he

c lock w o rk , as our mod e rn as t ronome rs t alk
”

abo ut t he ir know l e dg e of t he me ch ani s m of

C. VL , T HE SCIENCE OF T RU T H 17 5

t he H v e a e ns ? T he implici ty and h umili ty of

s

N e w t on h av e b e e n forg ot t e n b y La P l ac e and
his s ucc e s s o rs , for, s p e aki ng c omp arat iv e ly ,
wi t h wh at h e re afte r may b e k nown,w e k n ow
i nd e e d b ut li t t le of t he me ch ani s m of t he
h e av e ns Why , th e re fo re , s ho uld w e t alk as
.

i f w e did ?

G ravi t y , q ui t e po s s ibly , may b e t he fift h

ph e no me no n of th at wo nd ro us p ul s at i ng fl uid ,
of which ligh t , h e at , e l e c t rici t y , and mag
—

ne t is m ar e prob ably div e r s vib rati o ns , me a

s urab l e by numb e r, s p ac e , an d t im e , an d we
po s s ibly h e re aft e r may b e a bl e to co nv e r t
h e at and ligh t , and e le c trici t y and mag
ne t is m, i nt o g ravi t y , j us t as w e c an now

co nv e rt he at int o ligh t , and e l e c t rici ty and

m agne t i s m i nt o e ach o th e r, and i nt o ligh t .

We c an tak e the l at e nt h e at of any body,

and mak e i t vi s ibl e as ligh t ; w e c an t ak e

ligh t and e x t rac t the h e at , or fi nd i t do ne

for us ; w e c an t ak e e l e c t ric and m ag ne tic
c urre nt s ,and e xhibi t t h e m as ligh t and h e at ,
and co nv e rt mag ne t i s m i n t o e l e c t rici ty , and

e l e c t rici ty i nt o m ag ne t i s m ; wh e n w e c an
c o nv e rt all and e ach of t h e s e fo ur i nt o g r avi ty ,
 76 PH IL OSOPHY ; OR, [ C
. v1, § 3
.

or gravi ty i nt o t h e se fo ur ,w e s h all po s s ibly

h av e s olv e d the p robl e m of al l the mo t io ns of
our pl ane tary s y s t e m ; and may b e abl e t o

t re at t he e cc e nt rici ty of a pl ane t s orbi t as

’

a m e r e s i ngl e vibr at io n o f t h at wo ndro us fl uid

c all e d Ligh t . D o not t he t ail s of com e t s

t e ach us t h at t he at t rac ti o n of g ravi ty is

a mi s nom e r , and t h a t g ravi ty is s o me t im e s

l e vi ty , an imm e ns e vibrat io n of t h at all

p e rvading fl uid M e di um ? Can th at b e c all e d
t he at t rac t io n of g ravi t y which s e nd s fo r t h

b y r e p ul s io n a t ail of a com e t S ix h undre d

millio ns of mil e s in a fe w d ay s ? It is l e vi ty
r ath e r t h an g ravi ty It is the O ppo s i t e of
°

g r avi t
.
y It i s po s s ibl y t he o ut ward p ul s e or

vibrat io n, of which g ravi ty is the i nward

p ul s e ; b ut it ce rtai nly is not at t rac tion, b ut
re p ul s io n. Do l e t us c e as e t o t alk of t he
me c h ani s m of the he av e ns unt il we know
m ore of t he ir m e ch ani s m ; and l e t us cons id e r
wh e the r the hy p o t h e s is of g ravity is not
one t hat has do ne its work , and taugh t us !

c e nt ral for c e s , and l e t us s t riv e t o und e r

s t an d circ um fe r e nt ial and ro tat ory fo rce s

and re p ul s i ons , and not m e re ly the c e nt r al
;
 T HE S C I ENC E OP T RUT H . 177

forc e s and at trac t ions ; or e l se , t o c omb i ne

t h e m t og e t h e r i nt o p uls e and r e p ul se ,s o as

t o ac co unt for t he re l at iv e s iz e ,and v e loci t i e s ,

and ax al mo t io ns of t he pl ane ts and t h e i r

’
s e co ndari e s , and t he ph e nom e na of com e t s

t ail s A t l e as t ,l e t us b e mor e h umbl e ,and ac

.

knowl e dg e our i g norance , for w e k no w the

m e ch ani s m of t he h e ave ns m uch as the p aris h'

p aup e r who p ump s the organ and se e s the

c loc k we i h t s , k now s t h e m e ch an is m of the
g
ch urch clock It w as La P l ac e who t aug h t
.

us t h at p r o ud ,e mp t phr ase , m e ch ani s m of

y
”
the h e av e ns . N e w t o n w as mo re h umbl e .

At all e v e nt s ,if m an s body had b e e n a v apour ,

’

and he had live d in E nc k e s c ome t ,a ph s ic al

’

y
b od y as l arg e as t he w hole o rbit of tha moon,
w e migh t now h av e b e e n s p e ak i ng as fr e e ly
.

of t he s un s r e p ul s io n, as w e do on e art h of
’

t he s un s at t rac t io n,and w e migh t h av e s pok e n

’

p e rh ap s of t he v as t annual vibrat io n, which

c arri e d the lat e nt ly hot t e r p art s of our com e t
b y at t rac tio n clo s e r t o t he s un t h an M e rc ury ,
and re p e ll e d the l at e nt ly cold e r p ar t s i nt o t he
-

di s t ant re g io ns b e y o nd the orbi ts of J upi t e r or

S at urn .
 17 8 PHILOSOPHY ; OR ,

Gravi ty ,t h e re fo re ,bo th on the autho ri ty of

Ne w t o n him s e lf,and accordi ng t o the p ri nciple
of thi s wo rk ,is a m e re h um an t h ough t or rvor d,
t o e xp re s s a b undl e of app e aranc e s , and n ot

any t hi ng r e all y e xi s ti ng in e x t e rnal nat ure .

It is not an e s s e nt i al prop e rty of b odi e s ,”and

t he t i me is p rob ably fas t appr oachi ng wh e n w e

s h all h av e t o giv e i t u al t og e th e r Th at t i me
p .

w ill p rob abl y b e ,as s oon as w e c an b ri ng t he

i nt e rnal h e at of the gl ob e i nt o me as urabl e

r e l atio ns by me ans of numb e r, s p ac e , and
t i me , wi t h t he l e ng t h s of our d ay an d y e ar ,

an d t he l aw s of h e at , ligh t , e l e c t rici t y , an d

magne ti s m .

A ll S c i e ntific Ide as W or ds not R e a li

ti e s
.
—
In S ho rt , w e affirm , th at if any man
t hi nk s t h at by t he t ho ugh t s ,w ord s , or t hi ng s

c all e d ligh t , h e at ,g ravi t y ,e l e c t rici t y ,or mag

ne t is m, or b y t he w or ds , ch e mic al affi ni t y ,
-

l ari t , d e fi nit e pr opo r t io n, or s ub s t anc e ,

p o y
-

mat t e r,c aus e ,life ,or mi nd ,or any o t h e r s c ie n

t ifi c e xp re s s i ons , he has at tai ne d any ki n d of

knowl e dge of the r e ali tie s of t he univ e rs e

abo ve him,or of t h e wo rld ar o un d hi m ; he

k now s no thi ng y e t as he o ugh t t o k now it .

C . v1, T HE SCIENCE OF T RU T H . 17 9

He s tand s lik e a man in a t e mpl e of ligh t ,

.

d azzl e d and b e wild e re d by the magnific e nc e

of t he s igh t b e fo re him ,b ut wi t h his e y e s s hu t,

and mi s t aki ng the fl as h e s of his ow n d azzl e d

b e wild e rm e nt for the ligh t i t s e lf, which has

c onfus e d and p uzzl e d his s e ns e s Th e s e wo rd s ,
.

and al l oth e r w ord s of s ci e nc e , D r Wh e w e ll .

c all s i de as .

I do not obj e c t t o t he t e rm i de a, which

the wi s e s t me n t he wo rld h as s e e n from t he

d ays of Pl at o t ill now , h ave t h ough t fi t and

p rop e r to as s i s t t he h u man mi nd in it s s e arch
aft e r t r uth . But t he Wo r d i de a is O p e n t o t he
j us t obj e c ti on,t hat i t ne v e r c an b e k now n th at
A s id e as ag re e wi t h B s id e as ; b ut i t c an b e
’ ’

k nown for c e rt ai n, wh e th e r A s w or ds ag re e
’

wi t h B s w or ds ,b e c aus e th e y c an s ay , we d o
’

ag re e , and our w or ds de mons tr ate to e e , and

y
e ar ,and und e r s t andi n
g that w e do ag r e e . Me n
may di s p ut e for e v e r abo ut wh at t h e y c all i de as ,
b ut if t h e y are c are ful ,t h e y c annot dis p ut e for '

e v e r ab out t h e w or ds t h e y th e ms e lv e s ac t ually

m anufac t ure Th e y c an numb e r and me as ure ,

.

t h at i s , m ak e s ure of t h e i r w or ds Th e y c an
.

ne v e r m e as ur e or m ak e s ur e of t h e ir i de as .
18 0 PH ILOSOPHY ; OR , [ C
. w ,§ 4 .

No phil os ophe r has e v e r g ive n,and I s ay

t h at no philo s oph e r c an p o ss ibly giv e , any

s ufi c ie nt r e as o n why w e are t o s t0 p at the

end of the vibratio ns of our i nc ar ry ing ne r ve s ,

an d t hink w e are di s p ut i n ,or c an di s p ut e ,
g
abo ut the unk no wn s om e t hi ng t h e r e prod uc e d

in t he mi nd c all e d an i de a ; i ns t e ad of goi ng
on t o the e nd of t he vibrat io ns of our out

c ar r i n ne rv e s ,and t o t he e ffe c t m ad e b y
y g
t he mi nd upo n t he l ary n x and p e n, t o t he

k nown or knowabl e e ffe c t , abo ut w hich alo ne

w e c an di s p ut e—
viz , the w or d which t he
.

human mi nd has c ause d t ho s e out ward vi

b rat ions t o cr e at e , as an ac t ual fac t or of
‘

h um an knowl e d g e T he w or d is the c re at ion

.

of t he hum an m i nd ,the e vid e nc e of its e x

is t e nc e T he unk nowabl e thi ng has p as s e d
i nt o the i de a,and the unkn owabl e i de a has
p ass e d i nt o the wor d and word s are the o nly
t hi ng s t h at c an b e k now n as t h e y are i n

the ms e lve s b y any chil d of ma in,le t him t alk

as lo ng as he may .

'

T o ac k nowl e dg e and s ubmi t t o t h is t ruth ,

is the fir s t st e p in all t r ue philo s o hy , an d
p
C. v1, T HE SCIENCE OF T RU TH . 18 1

t he obj e c t of t hi s w ork is t o e s tabli s h it b e y on d

c ont radic t io n .

T he e rro r I am comb ati ng , s e e m s t o m e t h e

t r ue s o urc e of all t he wre t ch e d v ai n m at e

r ialis m wi t h which the wo rld of man is n ow

fill e d ; at one tim e P anath e is m, at anoth e r

P anth e i s m t he t wo pol e s b e t w e e n which t he
m at eri ali s t p e rp e tually o s cill at e s in do ub t,
ig no ranc e ,and co nfus io n, not und e rs tandi ng
t he word s he us e s ; b ut which word s prov e

t he re al e xi s t e nc e of t he h um an mi nd i t s e l f .

I f any man s ay s , S ure ly I know mo re of

t he r e al nat ure of t hi s world ,wh e n I h av e

l e arnt t he gre at t ruth s of gravi ty ,or ch e mic al

affi ni t y , or ch e mic al compo s i t io n and r e
d uc t io n, t h an I did b e fo re , I ans w e r , No,
‘

S ir, y ou do not ; y ou h av e l e arnt t o t hi nk

wi th N e w t o n,and Lavoi s i e r ,and D al ton,and
t o us e N e w t o n s w or ds , and Lavoi s i e r s an d
’ ’

Dal t o n s w or ds ,y ou h av e l e arnt t o t hi nk wi t h
’

t he g re at mod e rn as t r o nom e rs and ch e mi s t s ,

and t o us e th e ir w or ds . N e i th e r t h e y nor
o u k n ow any t hi ng mo re abo ut the r e ali t i e s
y
of m at te r and the un iv e rs e t h an y ou did

b e for e Y ou h av e l e arnt a numbe r of app e ar

.
 82 PHILOSOPHY ; OR , [ C. v1 , 4 z
.
§

anc e s , which affe ct t he h uman s e ns e s , and

h av e l e arnt t o gi ve t h e m ord e rly name s , s o
as t o s p e ak cor re c t ly w it h y our fe ll ow me n,

who h ave e x ami ne d t he s ame app e aranc e s ,

and h ave ag re e d t o us e the s ame name s or

w or ds t o e xp re s s t h os e n umb e r s of app e ar

anc e s. Bo th th e y an d y ou are as ign orant

of al l of t he re ali t i e s i n t he t hi ng s y ou

s p e ak of, as e ve r s avag e w as . Y ou h av e
l e arnt s ome ne w h uman rvor ds , s igns , or s y m
bol s , t he b re ath from our l ary nx and t ong ue ,
or bl ack mark s fr om t h e e n d of our p e ns ;

and how t o make and u s e t h os e wo rd s ,

s ig ns , and s y mbol s , in co n s onanc e and m ut ual

ag re e me nt wi t h y our w e ll i n s t r uc t e d fe ll ow
-

me n, b ut y ou h av e l e arnt nothi ng more what

e ve r ; and any o th e r im agi nat io n of yo ur

h e art is me re foll y , e mp ti ne s s , and d e l us i on .

Why are me n for e ve r t o d e c e iv e t h e ms e l ve s ,

and S h ri nk fr om t he cl e ar, t h e no t o ri ous fac t ,

t h at al l h uman t r ut h c an o nly b e t rue w ord s

and s y mbol s , mat h e mat ic al t r ut h 7

It is p as s i ng s t rang e t o s e e how the poss e s

s io n of a fe w w or ds an d s y mbol s r e d uc e d t o

o rd e r, m e re sig ns or t i c k e t s t o as s i s t the
C . v1 ,
. T HE SCIE NCE OF T RU T H . 18 8

h uman mi nd t o r e gi s t e r a numb e r of e x te rnal

app e aranc e s , of th e r e al nat ur e of any on e

of which man is wh olly ig n orant , p uffs up the

vai n ani mal t o t hi nk he h as at l e ng t h at t ai n e d

t h e my s t e ry of nat ur e ; an d he t alk s of at t rac

t io ns , and for c e s ,an d affi ni t i e s , &c ,as if th e y

.

w e re s o me r e al thi ng s th e ms e l ve s ,and not me re

h uman w ord s , me re s ig ns and s y mb ol s mad e
wi t h his ow n t ong ue and p e n ,t o as s i s t his ow n
and his n e ighb ou r s me mo ry of t he w ond e rful
’

my s t e rl e s an d unk now abl e op e rat i ons which

God has p e rmi tt e d t h e m t o gl anc e at . T he y
s e e m t o me lik e p e rt s p ar r ows h O p p i ng on t he

b e am of a s t e am e ngi ne , and mi s t aki ng it s

-

p rop e r mot i on for t he e ffe c t of t he i r ow n

p roc e e di ng s , in co nd e s c e ndi ng t o fly ab out
and t ak e not ic e of it s p ar t s and mo ti ons .

All s ci e nt ific tr uth and c e r tai nty ,t hbre fore ,

is v e rb al t rut h and no mo re , and d e p e nd s on
de duc ti on , and the t r uth and c e rt ai nty of t h e
fi rs t as s ump t i on,and of e ach s te p aft e rw ard s
d e mo ns t rate d. T he val ue and u ti li ty of all
s ci e nc e may d e p e nd on i nduc ti on , b ut i nd uc

t i on c an giv e us no t r uth wh a te v e r
. Le t us
c ons id e r thi s mo re cl os e l y in anot h e r ch ap te r .
18 4 PHI LO SOPH Y ; OR § 1.

CH A P T E R VII .

INDU CT IO N, DEDUC T ION , T RU T H .

1) K now le dg e Beg i ns w i th S e ns ati ons

and Nami ng —
Al tho ugh I h av e d e m ons t rate d
t hat numb e rs may b e d e d uc e d s t ric t ly ap r i or i ,

from the m e re admi s s io n t h at s om e k no w

l e dge e xi s ts ; and t h at wh at is us ually c alle d
by m e t aphy s ic al w r i t e rs , g e ne raliz at io n or

ab s t radt i on,may b e mo re t rul y r e pr e s e nt e d as

an admi s s io n of ig nor anc e , i ns te ad of an

ab s t rac t io n of k nowl e dg e , e t I wo uld not

y
b e und e r s t ood t o m e an t h at the firs t e l e m e nt s
of k nowl e dge are us ually ,in fac t ,l e arnt by

d e d uc tio n ; or t h at the mo re g e ne r al is com

mo uly l e arnt be fore the l e s s ge ne ral , or t he
ab s t rac t b e fore t he co ncr e t e . Man 13 body
C . vn , T HE SCIENC E OF T RU T H . 18 5

and mi nd ,and the body com e s firs t , and the

mi nd aft e r ward s He w as fi rs t form e d of the
.

d us t of the g ro und , and afte rw ar d s God

bre ath e d i nt o his no s t ril s t he bre at h of life .

T h e t re e of k nowl e dg e is t as t e d t h r o ugh the

b ody ,b ut t he p ure frui t of t h at t r e e is not
b ody lik e b ut mi nd lik e
- -
.

T he child of co urs e l e arns t o co unt by

his fi ng e rs or by an ab ac us , or by t hi ng s
vis ibl e or thi ng s t angibl e I h av e h e ard a
.

child who had l e arnt t o c o unt far b e y o nd

t e n, e xcl ai m t o i t s mo t h e r , Oh ! m amm a,
”
y o u h av e a s hort fi ng e r
. It w as ig n o

rant of the di ffe re nc e of its ow n fi nge rs ,and

-

w e nt ro und the roo m to s e e if e v e ry bod y had

s hor t fi ng e rs lik e it s mo t h e r and i t s e lf,wh e n

it had b e e n s how n i ts ow n li t tl e fi ng e r .

It w as te achi ng i tse lf b y i n d uc t io n,and w as

not i ncli ne d t o b e li e v e t he m arv e llo us fac t

t h at all me n had li tt l e fi ng e r s ,t ill it co uld

fi nd no i ns tanc e t o t he co nt rary ,as ki ng abo ut

e ach me mb e r of i t s family i n s ucc e ss i on, and

oi ng t o s e v e ral ,fi ve or S ix in t he r oo m, t o
g
s e e wi th i t s e y e s ,t h at al l had li t t l e fi ng e rs
.

I s aw t he proc e s s and h e lp e d t o sati s fy it .

18 6 PHILOSOPHY ; OR, [ C . m ,§ 1 .

Thi s , in l e arne d ph rase , w as t he highe s t

s p e ci e s of i nd uc t i on ,
p os t ne ati vas t o
“
g t qu ot

fiu c i un t s up e r a fi m
rat i vas c onc lude r e .
”
T he
li t tl e phil os oph e r w as a li t t l e gi rl not fi ve
y e ars old .

Tak e anoth e r i ns tanc e me nt i one d by Ari s

t otl e of the G re e k child re n c alli ng out mp r a

t o a s t rang e r i n t he s t re e t , an d which s ame

’

t hi ng may b e e as ily v e rifi e d wi t h E ngli s h

child re n in th e i r n urs e s arms , c alli ng out

’

“
p ap a t o a man as he g oe s by Thi s is g e ne
”
.

ral iz at ion , or maki ng a g e n e ral t e r m So a .

child of t w o ye ars ol d will p e rs i s t in c alli ng

t he ne w n urs e by t he ol d one s name for many
’

mo nt h s S o I h av e as k e d a S c ot ch p e as ant
.

child , Wh os e ho us e is th at and r e c e iv e d for

“ ? ”

It s t h e l ai rd s ho os , b ut t he name
”
ans w e r,
’ ’

of the l ai rd it c ould not gi ve S o Ad am .

S mi t h re mark e d , t h at a p e as ant k now s no

nam e for t he riv e r s r unni ng by his d oor,
e xc e p t t he north ri ve r or t he w e s t r i ve r , &c .

I S t hi s p roc e s s of nami ng , abs tr ac t i on of

k nowl e dg e as phil os oph e rs g e ne rally s ay , or
w ant of p e rc e p t i on, s ay ig noranc e of di ffe r
s uc e s ? I t hi nk t h e l at t e r T he child has for
.
a
O vu
. .
, THE SCIE NCE OF TRU T H . I8 7

go t t e n the i ndi vid ual di ffe re nc e , or do e s not

p e rc e i ve t he di ffe re nc e T he d re s s or look of
.

t h e me n, t he ac t s of t he n ur s e s ,de c e rve the

child , an d it c all s out t h e w ord t h at has p ro

c ure d at te nt i on or ki nd ne s s In Sho r t , th e re
.

is no nove l t y in al l thi s .Wh at e ve r p as s e s in

t he child s mi nd ,w e are wholly i g noran t of i t ;
’

b ut it has b e e n s e e n for y e ars , t h at al l

,
k nowl e dge b e gi ns wi th s i ngl e b odily s e ns a
t i ons , wi t h S i ng ul ars , and is b uil t up s y nt h e

t ic ally by i nd uc t i on , and re co r d e d by gi vi ng

g e ne ral name s Knowl e dge is n ot ob t ai ne d

.

by ab s t rac t d e d uc t i ons , at t he fi rs t T he .

ab s ur di t y li e s , h ow eve r ,i n t h e re fo re c onc l ud

ing t h at T ru th is found e d on I nd uc t i on Th at , .

I s ay ,is a mos t ri dic ul ous n on s e qui tur .

( )
Q . N o T r u th an d Ce r t ai n ty f r om In

duc ti on —
Le t us g rant t he ut mo s t t h at c an
b e as k e d Th e re c an b e n o do ub t th at al l
.

k nowl e dg e b eg i ns wi th s e ns at i ons , w hich are

t rans for me d by t he mi nd ,j udgi ng by i nd uc t io n

fro m n ume rous i ns tanc e s , i nt o t h ough t s and

v e rb al i mag e s , or w or ds It is e q ually cl e ar
.

t h at all s ci e nc e , which i s k nowl e dg e re nd e re d

acc urat e by man s c are ful ne s s , b e gi ns wi th t he

’
 PHILOSOPHY OR, [ C
. m ,§ 2 .

p rac tical an d c o ncre te ,and is g rad ually t rans

fo rm e d b y me n of s ci e nc e i nt o t he p ure and
ab s t rac t
.

Th e re c anno t b e a rat io nal do ub t , in my

Op Inl on, b ut t h at g e o me t ry w as at fir s t wh at

i ts nam e impli e s l and me as url ng

—
. That a
s t raigh t li ne w as a s t r e t ch e d s t ri ng ; t h at t he

firs t d e fi ni t io n of a s traigh t l i ne w as ,in all

p rob abili ty , the Sho rt e s t line b e t w e e n t wo
poi nt s , d e riv e d fro m t he ac t ual co ncre t e
”

p roc e ss of s tre tchi ng ,and s o s traigh te ni ng a

l and m e as uri ng li ne ,and fi ndi ng it l e s s t h an
any o th e r ; and t h at t h e axi om th at t w o
s t r aigh t li ne s c ann o t e nclo s e a S p ac e, w as

arri ve d at and v e rifi e d b y s t r e t chi ng t w o li ne s

from the s ame vis i b le poi nt ; An angl e w as ,

no d oub t ,at firs t t he c orne r of a fi e ld , and s o

on t h ro ugh al l pl ane ge om e t ric al w ord s .

Wh at th e n, is Mr Mill righ t aft e r all and

.
?

is p ure ge o me t ry fo und e d on t he i nd uc t io n of
g e ne ral s fro m n umb e rs of p art ic ul ars , and
it s c e r t ai nty and t ruth found e d on induc t ion
'

,
Th at I s ay , is Mr Mill s own mo s t ab s urd
.
’

non s e ui tur , a m e re co nfo undi ng t he us e

q
-

of the body , wi t h the tr uth of t he mi nd ;

C m ,gs )
. . T HE S C IENCE or T RU TH . 18 9

t he us e t h at w e fe e l an d s e e , wi t h t he t rut h

t h at w e t hi nk and s p e ak It is , in fac t , .

m e re ly a ne w fo rm of t hat old m at e ri ali s t ic

s nak e which I h av e t ri e d t o e xhibi t and s c ot ch

t hr ougho ut th e s e p ag e s ; t h at w re t ch e d S h ufil e ,

which call s and d es i re s t o c all t he t hi nki ng

and n on t hi nki ng t hi ng by t he s am e nam e , t o
-

c all A and not A by one and t he s ame t e rm ,

t o c all t r ut h and not t r ut h simply T r ut h ,and

t h e n, t o p as s t hi s proc e s s off for logic and

philo s oph y
I nd uc t io n is as t he bod y ,and De d uc tio n as
th e mi nd I nd uc t io n and the body may give
.

us t he m at e ri al s for m any s e nsat io ns and

us e ful g ue s se s ,b ut c anno t giv e us one t r ut hful

t ho ugh t .Our c al li ng t he proce s s of i nd uc t io n

a me t hod of ar ri vi ng at t r ut h ,or c alli n c e rt ai n
g
co ncl us io ns i nd uc t iv e t ruth s , will not m ak e
t h e m p ure t r ut h s Trut h , p ur e tr uth,is t he
.

provinc e of d e d uct io n o nly ,and i nd uc t ion ne v e r

y e t g ave us one p ure t r u th , or any th i ng mo re

th an a p r ob abl e g ue s s ; or s om e v e ry p rob abl e

e xpl anat io n, r ovi s i on al o nl , t ill a b t t r i
p y e e s

fo un d out .

Le t i t b e g r ante d ,t h e r e for e ,t h at t he s e ns e s
190 PHILOSOPHY ; O R, § 2 .

are th e ave nue t o al l k nowl e dg e w h at e ve r,as

A ri s t ot l e s aid lo ng ag o . I nd uc t ion i s the
proc e s s of t he mi nd ,g at h e ri ng one c oncl us io n
from many s e ns at i ons , wh e t h e r wi th or wi t h
out c ruci al e xp e r i me nt s ,n e g at iving a s uffici e nt

n umb e r of p os s ibl e e xpl anat i on s . T he c on

c l us ion i t s e lf is a me n tal c oncl u s i on , and t he

p roc e s s is a m e nt al p roc e s s , e nt i re ly re mo ve d
from the s e ns e s and from s e ns at io n ; it is t he
w ork of the high e r re as o n,of t he h uman ima

in at ion an d of t he high e s t me nt al fac ul t i e s ,

g
and is d uly c ompl e t e d b y e mbo dyi ng t he i nd uc

t i ve t h ough t in a w or d . We ll , th e n,h av e w e
o t a t r uth , a ur e or c e rt ai n t rut h , wh at e v e r
g p
n umb e r of c r uci al e xp e ri me nt s , wh at e v e r

n umb e r , t ot quot s ufi c i un t, of ne g at ivi ng e x

e rime nt s w e h ave m ad e ? I M ’
s a , no n
p y a s

mi n d c an n e v e r e achaus t the neg ati ve T he .

high e s t i nd uc t io n is p os t neg ati vas tot quot

su
fi c i un t
. B ut how are w e t o e xh aus t the

n e g at i ve s ? A is A , b ut not A is i nfi ni te .

E v e ry i nd uc t i on is an att e mp t t o p rove t he
ne g at iv e , t h at NO ot he r po s s ibl e arr ang e me nt ,

n o othe r po s s i b l e c au s e , n o othe r p os s ibl e e x ~

pl anat i on c an e xi s t or b e giv e n It is t h at
.
 T HE SCIENCE OF T RUT H . 191

v e ry arg ume nt fro m i nco nc e ivabili ty , upo n

which , on ot h e r occ as io ns ,Mr M ill c an b e s o .

s e ve r e. E ve ry high e s t i nd uct i on i ncl ud e s ,

and i s foun d e d on t hi s p ri ncipl e , t h at w e

h ave tr i e d e ve ry ot hhr c onc e i vabl e e xpl anatio n

and n e g at i ve d it , b u t t hi s i s i mp os s ibl e to

man . Eve ry i n d uc t io n, t h e r e fore , gi ve s us

only a p r ob ab le g ue s s , n ot t r ut h It i s as '

diffe re nt from p ur e t rut h as man s b ody i s ’

fro m man s mi nd Me n lo se th e ms e lv e s in
’
.

th e c onc r e t e an d s e n s uo us ,an d wo rs hip t h e

m at e ri ali s t ic id ol s t h e i r s e ns e s h ave c re at e d ,
and t h e n c onfound wh at is only p rob ably t rue ,

in r e l at i on t o man s s e ns e s and fac ul t i e s , w i t h

’

wh at is r e ally t r ue and n e c e s s ar y , or d e ny t he
‘

e xi s t e nc e of n e c e s s ar y t r ut h al t og e t h e r .

It is t he l ab our of a l ogic al S i s yph us t o

roll up w ord s , p re t e ndi ng t o e s t abli s h the “

j us t ific at i on of t he s ci e nt ific me th od of in
d uc t i on as ag ai ns t t he uns ci e nt ific ,not w it h
s t an di ng t h at t h e s ci e nt ific ul t i mat e ly r e s t s
,
on t he u ns ci e nt ific All the arg ume nt in
.
7 1

t he wo rld will ne ve r prov e a ne gat iv e , and

i Mil l s L ogi c, p
vol
“ ’
. n ,
. . 102 .
192 PHILOSOPHY ; OR ,

t he high e s t i nd uctio n is fo und e d on p rovi ng a

ne g at iv e.

T he s ci e nt ific ,w e s ay , do e s not r e s t on t he
uns ci e nt ific , it re s t s on t he fir s t as s ump t io n .

From t h at it h ang s ,or o ugh t t o hang ,by po s i

t iv e li nks , s t rict l y p r ove d t o m e nt al d e mo n

s t rat ion, o t h e rwi s e i t is o nly s e udo s ci e nt ific

p
fal s e acc uracy , i t is not t r ut h : it is not p ur e
t r uth. But ,on t he co nt rary ,i f e v e ry s t e p b e
s o d e mo ns t rat iv e ly p rov e d b d e duc ti on ,t he n
y
t he c oncl us io n is as ne c e s s ary ,t h at is as n e v e r

c e as i ng , as is the fi rs t as s ump t io n It h angs

.

on t he fi rs t one or mo re as s ump t io ns ,and its

n e c e s s i t y c an n e v e r , of co u rs e , e xc e e d the

ne v e r c e as ing ne s s of t h at firs t one or more

-

as s ump t io ns from w hich it is d e d uc e d

.

By Ind uc tio n w e gai n wh at w e fe e l t o b e

us efu l ; b y D e d uc t io n w e g aIn wh at w e know

t o b e tr ue . N o k nowle dge is s t ric tly t rue or

c e rtai n,t h at is not s t ric tly d e d uc e d ,and it s
t r ut h and c e r t ai nty d e p e nd e nt i re ly on t he

t r ut h and c e r tai nt y of t he fir s t pri ncipl e s

as s um e d ,and from w hich it c an b e s t ric t ly

d e d uc e d Induc t i on is m e re m e nt al g ue s s
.

wo rk from bodi ly s e ns at io ns ,p artaking of all

C . vn , . T HE S C IE NCE OF TRU TH . 198

the i mp e rfe c tion of the h um an s e ns e s , s om e

t i me s righ t and s ome t i me s w rong , wo rd s

adop t e d b e c aus e us e ful t o t h e mi nd , as re s t

ing pl ac e s t ill the mi n d c an r e ach s om e t hi ng

-

high e r D e duc ti on is the work of the s o ul , of

.

t he mi n d i t s e lf, wo rki ng wi t h ve r b al ah

s t rac t i ons .All t rut h and all c e rt ai nty co me s

from the s o ul and mi nd b y de d uc ti on N o .

p ure t r ut h , no c e rtai nty ,c an e v e r c ome from

i nd uc t io n ; and a g ue s s , a p rob abl e gue s s ,is
th e high e s t co ncl us io n, w hich by i nd uc t i on ,

man c an ar r iv e at .

T he se ns uo us is t rans for me d i nt o t he i nt e l
l e c t ual ,and t he i nte ll e c tual i nt o w ord s T he .

rud e , i nacc urate conc re te is m e nt ally t rans

form e d i nt o the p ure and t rue ab s t rac t ; i nt o
t h at P l at onic di vi ne id e al which i s p e rfe c t ,t r ue ,

and ne ve r c e as i ng ; i nt o wo r d s ,S ig ns ,and s ym
-

bols ,which c an ne ve r b e fal s e Land m e as uri ng

.

w as not p ur e g e o me t ry , w as n ot p ure t rut h

or c e rt ai nt y ,b ut o nly s ufi c i e n t ly t rue ,i e ,not . .

tr ue abs olute ly ,b ut s uffici e nt for s om e p rac

t ic al p urp os e s Th e re it mus t h av e s t opp e d
.

on t he e art h ,co nfi ne d t o a fe w ro ugh c ont ri

vanc e s for the comp ari s on of di s tant fi e ld s .

K
194 PHI LOSOP HY ; OR ,

Thi s is not t r uth , b ut r ul e of t h umb t ruth ,as

one c an oft e n se e an acc urat e wom an me as ure

wi t h he r fi nge rs ,as w e ll as a s hopm an w i th

t he e x ac t l e ng t h of N orm an H e nr s rd
’

y g u a

arm,which , b A c t of P a rli a m e nt b c am n
y , e e a

E nglis h y ard . But has t hi s any r e s e mbl anc e

t o p ure g e om e t ric al or nume ric al t ruth s ? It
is not t r ut h at all ; t ho ugh it p as se s for
ro ugh ,rul e of t h umb t ruth , s uffi ci e ntly t rue
for p rac t ic al p urpo s e s .

But wh e n t he mi nd has fo rm e d t he t r ue
and p ure id e al out of t he imp ure an d unt r ue

ac t ual , t h e n it c an d e v e lop b v e rb al de duc

y
t io n ne w and al t og e th e r unfors e e n and une x

p e c t e d r e l at i on s al t og e t h e r r e mo t e from the

obs e rv e d ac t ual ; and at firs t ,and ofte n for

ag e s ,t he d e d uc t io ns re m ai n wi t ho ut any ap

p are nt ut ili t y , or any co nne xio n,or applic a

t io n t o s ubl un ary m att e rs . Ag e s afte r t h e i r
fi rs t d e ve lopm e nt as T r uth, t h e y t urn out t o
b e Us eful W ho e ve r t e s t e d b y any i nd uc t io n
.

t h e t r uth s of t he e llip se or hyp e rbola, who se

p rop e r ti e s w e re e l aborat e d ye ars ag o

by th e Gre e k s ? T he prop e rt i e s of t he e llip s e
t h us di s cov e re d by p ure d e d uc t io n, re m ai ne d
C . T HE SCIENCE OF T RU T H . 195

prac t ic ally us e l e s s for y e ar s or S o ,t ill

K e pl e r and N e w t on appli e d t h e m t ot he e arth

an d t h e h e av e nly bodi e s abo ve and wi tho ut us .

T he hyp e rbola, I b e li e v e ,s till re m ai ns wi t ho ut

much p rac t ic al applic at io n of it s mo s t r e m ark
abl e prop e rt i e s ,t ho ugh t h e w e r e di s cov e r e d
y
by p ure d e d uc t ion s o m any c e nt uri e s ag o .

S ure ly ,t he man I S t rifli ng wi t h wo rd s ,or is

wholly ig no rant o f p ure m ath e m at ic s , w ho
ass e rt s t h at t h e t r ut h and c e rt ai nt y of t he

prop e rti e s of the e llip s e and hyp e rb ol a d e p e nd

in any m anner wh at e v e r u po n i nd uc t io n .

Ind uc t i on had no mo re t o do w i th t h e i r dis

c ove ry h an t h e s e ns e of s m e ll wi t h a m us ic al
t
s y mph ony . T he s m e ll may h av e t old a
bli nd fiddl e r wh e re t o fi nd his ro s i n,and s ome
me n may s ay , if t h e y choo s e , t h at t he bli n d
m an s m us ic w as arriv e d at from the s m e ll of
’

t he ros i n on t he fiddl e s t ick by i n d uc t io n !

b ut t h at i s me re ly gi vi ng a ne w m e ani ng t o
t he wo rd i nd uct io n n ot wo rthy of di s c us s io n .

T he hyp e rbol a is t he c urv e which fl uid s

as s ume in t he c apill ary t ub e s of o rg ani s e d

bodie s ,and, t h e re fore , ac tually e xi s t s in the

H uman B rai n . It is a c urv e wi th it s c e nt re
K 2
 196 PHI LOSOPHY ; OR , 3 .

o uts id e ,which re q uire s t o b e b al anc e d wi t h

a s i mil ar c urve on t he O ppo s i t e S id e of t he

c e nt re ; a c urv e which appro ach e s i nd e fi ni t e ly

ne ar, b ut ne v e r at t ai ns t rue co nt ac t wi t h , t he

r igh t li ne s , t he as ymp t o t e s , t h at p ass t h r o ugh

i t s c e nt re. T he hyp e rbol a po s s e s s e s many

mo re r e se mbl anc e s t o the co urs e of t he h um an
mi nd and r e as o n t oward s T r ut h, t h an t he
c ommo n applic atio n of it s name t o hy p e r
b ol ic al e xp re s s io ns and arg um e nt s .

But i nd uc t io n i s t o d e d uc t io n,as t he h um an
body is t o the h um an S o ul ,and thi s is not a
m e tapho r, b ut an anal ogy I nd uc tion c an
.

ne v e r b e , s o far as w e k no w , wholly t r ue . It
c an n e v e r giv e p ur e and p e rfe c t t rut h s , b ut

o nly p ar ti al and i mp e rfe c t bodily t r ut h s ,

g ue ss e s in re lat io n t o the h uman s e nse s , s ug
s t ive of w or ds ,me r e re s t i ng pl ac e s for t he
g e -

m ind At l as t t he re s t i ng pl ac e b e com e s a
.
-

S le e ping pl ac e ,and t he i nd uc t i on a d e ad body,

-

s t oppi ng u t h e co urs e of s ci e nc e
p .

Th e P tole mai c Sy s te m an Induc ti on .

T he P t ol e maic sy s t e m w as an i nd uct io n, and

u
p t o a c e r t a i n e x t e nt , i n a c e r t ai n s e ns e , a

s uffici e nt ly t ruthful and us e ful i nd uc tio n .

C . m , THE S C IENCE OF T RU T H . 197

Nay ,for s o me p urpo s e s , as , for e x ampl e ,t o

c alc ul at e e clip se s ,if w e had to b e gi n at the
b e g inmng wi t ho ut t abl e s or te l e s cop e s , i t
w ould b e mor e u s e ful t h an t he Cop e rnic an

s y s t e m , e v e n i ncl udi ng N e w t o n s gre at di s co

’

v e ry of the l aw s of c e nt ral fo rc e s Mo tio n is

.

a m e re r e l at io n,and t o th e e e of t he mod e rn
y
m at h e m at ici an, it is wh olly i ndi ffe re nt and
i rre l e vant ,which of t he bodi e s St and s s t ill and
which mov e s ,or wh e re the c e ntre is t o which
t he re l at io n m us t b e re fe r re d. But w e c ann o t
p re ve nt p uzzl e h e ad e d me n, w ho h av e not
-

s t udi e d d e e ply e nough , fro m se e i ng a p uzzl e

wh e re t h e re is no ne , or from Sh ut t ing t h e ir
e y e s , s o as t o l e t In o nl y h alf the li g h t .

A fe w y e ars ag o, a l e arne d I ns p e c t or of
S chool s , b y s h utti ng his e y e s t o the s un, as
t he ac knowl e dg e d c e nt r e of our pl ane tary

s y s t e m ,p e rs uad e d him s e lf and a gr e at m any

e q ually p uzzl e h e ad e d p e opl e ,t h at t he moo n did

-

n ot t urn on it s axi s . In re fe re nc e t othe e ar th ,

She d oe s n ot t urn, b ut i n re fe r e nc e t o t he s un,

t he ack nowl e dg e d c e nt re of our pl ane t ary

s y s te m , s he do e s . It w ould h av e b e e n q ui t e
as wi s e , and j us t as t r ue , t o t e l l us that t he
198 PHILOSOPHY ; OR, [C . vn ,§ 3 .

moo n do e s not g o ro und the e art h in an

e llip se ,b ut p e rform s v ag ari e s in s p ac e more

like the Vand y k e work on a l ady s collar ’ l

t h an an e llip s e or e lo ng at e d circl e or i f a

p e rs o n w e re t o t e ll us th at the e art h do e s not

1
impos sible to p ut up on p ape r anything ne ar the
It is
moon s actu al motion, o fa as known ; b ut th e ab ove van
’
s r

dyke s kipping i ne are r its true motion th an a pe rfe ct

s
,

e llip e ,for if m m m b e t h r e e n e w moon ,wh e n th e moon

’ ”
s s

is b e t we e n th e e art h an d the s un ,and M M tw o full moon ,

’
s

wh e n th e e arth is b e twee n th e moon and sun ,and E E E E ' ” '"

p o ition of the e arth at ne w and full moon e pe ctive ly ;

s s r s

whil e the moon h as b e e n trave lling from In to M,the e arth

h a trave lle d f om E t o E ,s o as to g e t b e t we e n th e un and
’
s r s

M at th e full ; and so,b y th e time th e moon h as move d to

t h e n e xt n e w moon at m ,t h e e art h h as g ot to E ,and th e moon
’ "

h as t h e n to come b ack again ,an d so on ; o th at h avi ng e gar d

s r

t o th e s un ,moon ,an d e art h ,th e ac tu al path of th e moon in

s p ac e is ve r y far from,and n ot th e l e as t l ik e an e llip se or

e l ongate d cir cl e ,b ut more lik e vandykin g on a l ady s c ollar

’
.

But th e man w h o would t h e nce con cl u de t h at the moon

doe s not p e rform an e llip se roun d th e e arth ,and th at Ke pl e r
and N e wt on w e r e wr ong ,is s impl y ign oran t,an d mu t t ry s

and le arn b e tt e r wh at is me an t by th e c omp os ition of mot ion , s

an d wh at it w as t h at K e pl e r and Ne wt on ac t ually di s c ove e d r .

D r Brinc k l e y is my aut h ority fo ayi n g,t h at for th e p u r

. r s

p o e of calcul ating e cli p e ,with out table o te l e cope s ,the

s s s s r s

P tole mai c is more us e ful t h an the true r Cop e rni c an Syste m .

C . vn ,
. THE SC IENCE OF TRU TH . 9

go round the s un in an e llip se ,be caus e ,as Sir

J H e rs ch e l t e ll s us ,s he p e rfo rm s a comp li
.

”
c at e d s pi ral in s p ac e , and an e llip se is a
c urv e re t urni ng i nt o i t s e l f,and t o the s ame
poi nt of s p ac e ; b ut th at t he fac t is , as is w e ll
k nown, t h at t he e ar th ne v e r com e s b ack at
t he e nd of it s annual circ ui t ro und t he s un t o

t he sam e poi nt of sp ac e ,b ut t o a di ffe re nt p oi nt ,

and s o ne v e r co mpl e te s it s e lli p s e ; e rg o,it s

ac t ual m ot io n 18 not an e llip s e ; and,t h e re for e ,

K e pl e r and N e w t o n w e re al t og e t h e r wro ng !
Thi s , i n fac t ,wo uld b e no wors e r e as o ni ng ,
an d mor e j us t ifi abl e t han Mr Mi ll and Mr . .

Sp e nc e r s t ras h about p ure ge om e t ry ; b e caus e

’

t o se e it s fals e hood and ab s urdi t y , r e q uir e s

far d e e pe r re adi ng and more m at h e matic al

k nowl e dg e ,t han t o s e e t h at t he ass e s bridg e
’

doe s not d e pe nd for Its t rut h and c e rtai nty

upo n in d uc t i o n, and is not r ove d b an
p y
i ntuit io n f rom any p art ic ular fi g ure what
e ve r .

Ut i li ty and T r uth As t he
‘

—
se ns e s

and body of man are d ull and imp e rfe c t,and

c an ne v e r m ak e a p e rfe c t i ns t r ume nt ; s o in

d uc t io n c an ne ve r g ive man a p e rfe c t t r uth .

2 00 P HILOSOPHY ; on,

T he high e s t i nd uc tio n, as w e h av e s aid ,is

fo und e d on p rovi ng a ne g at iv e ,which is im
po s s ibl e Mr Mill ad mi t s thi s in Caus at io n
'

. .

We are , i n no c as e , e mp owe re d po s i t ive ly t o

concl ud e th at the addi t io n of s om e ne w ant e
-

c e d e nt mig ht not e nt ir e ly al te r and s ubv e rt

t he acc us t om e d co ns e q ue nt , or t h at ant e c e

d e nt s c omp e te nt t o do thi s do not e x is t in

” 1
n at ure . Thi s is t rue of the v e ry high e s t
i nd uc t io n ; and howe ve r num e ro us t he atfi rma
t iv e i ns t anc e s and t he ne g at ivi ng e xp e ri me nt s ,

a mi r ac le is po s s ibl e alw ay s .

I nd uc t io n, t h e re fore , on Mr Mill s ow n .
’

aut h ri t y ,ne ve r gi ve s us ur e t r ut h and c e r

o p
t ai nt y
. It s co ncl us io ns ,t h oug h c all e d i nd uc
t iv e t rut h s ,are not and ne ve r c an b e tr uth

and s h o ul d n ot b e co nfo un d e d wi t h Tr ut h .

Th e y are p ract ic ally us efu l o nly, and not

”
‘

s t ric t ly tr ue and c e rt ai n It is o t h e rwi s e wi t h

.

d e d uc t io n,which c an and d oe s gi ve us p e r
fe c tly tr ue and c e r tai n co ncl us io ns , t ho ugh
n ot wi t h re g ar d t o any e xi s t e nc e s e x t e rnal t o
“

our ow n mi nd s T he t rut h s of ari thm e t ic and

.

p ure ge om e t ry are p e rfe c tly p ure and c e rtai n,

L ogic, vol n ,p 34 9
1 “
. . . .
 T HE S C IE N C E T RU TH 2 01
c
C . vn ,
. OF .

and all
‘ ‘
p ure m ath e m at ic s gi ve s us p e rfe c tly
p ure and c e r tai n t ruth s ,al t og e t h e r t rue and
ne c e s s ary , or ne v e r c e as i ng ; tr uths which
"

co uld not b e o th e rwi s e th an th e y are in any

i nt e l le c t wh at e v e r But thi s is b e c aus e t h e y
.

c onc e rn m e re h um an im agi nat io ns , h um an

wo rd s ,m e re c r e ati ons of the h um an i nt e ll e c t
i t s e lf T he uni ts and sy mbol s of ari thm e t ic ,
.
"

and t he li ne s , angl e s and fig ure s of p ur e g e o

m e t ry , are p ure me nt al e xi s t e nc e s E uclid .

affi rm s no thi ng c o nc e rni n a ny t hi ng e xi s t i ng

g
e x t e rnally t o the h uman mi nd ,how e v e r a p ii
p
c ab le t c x al l e x t e r nal e xi s t e nc e s , b ut m e re ly

co nc e rni ng m e ntal im agi natio ns e mbodi e d in

defi ne d wor ds ,ab s t rac t e xi s t e nc e s in the mi nd
o nly of him who c an cre at e t h e m T he re l a .

t io ns of mat h e mat ic al li ne s wi tho ut b r e ad th ,of

s urfac e s wi t ho ut t hick ne s s ,are t he me re cr e a

t io ns of the h uman mi nd i t s e lf . T he p erfe c t

uni t s t h at an ari t hm e t i c i an im agi ne s are me re ly

m e ntal e x 1s t e nc e s ,and t h e i r re l at ions ,wh e re

t h e mi n d cl e arly p e rc e iv e s t h e m, are nu .

ch ange abl e and ne ve r c e as i ng ,i e ,ne c e s s ary

-
. .

in e v e ry in t e ll e c t abl e t o cre at e t h e m Ne .

c e s sity is not unco ndi ti o nal ne s s , b ut ne ve r

K 5
2 02 PHILOSOPHY ; OR, [ C . V IL , 4 .

c e as ing ne s s . T he ne c e ss my follow s from t he

fi rs t cre at io n of the ab s t rac tio n in the h um an

m i nd ,it appli e s t o no o th e r t h an t o the i nte l
l e c t t h at is abl e t o cre ate the ab s t rac t io ns .

T o the mi nd t h at has c re at e d for i tse lf t h e s e

ab s t rac t io ns ,i t is s e lf co nt r adic tio n t o s upp o s e
-

t h e m or t h e ir r e l at io ns ch ang e abl e . A man

who has cre at e d in his own i nt e ll e c t ,p e rfe c tly
e q ual uni t s , n ot o nly c annot co nc e iv e t h e m

o r t h e ir r e l at i ons d e s t r oy e d , b ut h e c ann o t

po s s ibly al t e r t h e i r re l at io ns wh e n o nc e cl e arly
know n No amo unt of i nt e ll e c t ual e x e rt io n
.

c an m ak e s uch a man s uppo se or co nc e iv e

fi ve and t h re e t o b e ni ne . It is n ot t h at it is
m e re ly i nc onc e ivabl e ,b ut it is s e if c ont radic
-

t ion . I c ann o t s tan d on my h e ad ,or b e li e v e

t h at I do s o, at t he s ame t i me t hat I am

s t andi ng on my fe e t , I c anno t d e n y my ow n

e xi s t e nc e .

It is not o nly i nco nc e iv abl e or i mpo ss ibl e

‘
t o a m at h e m at ici an, b ut i t is po s it iv e s e lf

co nt radic t io n, t o s uppo se the s q uare on the

hypo th e nus e e i t h e r gre at e r or l e ss t h an the
t w o s q uare s on t he s id e s of a r igh t angl e d -

t ri angl e . It i s a cl e ar, po s i t ive , s e lf co nt ra

-

dic tio n, t o thi nk the co nt rary , afte r o nc e

C . THE I NCE
SC E or T RU TH .

a d mi tti ng the d e fi ni t ion of p aralle l line s T o .

t e ll a man who s e e s t hi s as p ure g e ome

t ric ians us ual ly s e e i t , t h at it is a m e r e habi t ,

is lik e t e lli ng a man th at he c ould an d do e s

w alk on his h e ad , at t he s ame t im e that
he kn ow s t h at he is w alki ng on his fe e t,and
t h at it is a me re h abi t his s up pos i ng t h at he

w alk s on hi s fe e t , or t h at of t w o t hi ng s bo th
canno t b e fi rs t T he appe al is not m e re ly t o
.

inc onc e l vab ility ,b ut t o pos i t i ve s e lf c on t radic

-

t i on, t o t he d e ni al of a man s own e xi s te nc e

’
.

H e re is wh e re co nc re t e m at e ri ali s t ic l ogic
and philo s ophy d e part fro m t r ut h an d c e r a

tai nt y Th e y c onfound tr uth wi th u ti li ty ,t h e y

.

c o nfo und the h um an mi nd w i t h t he h uman

body ; the p ure c re at io ns of tr ut h in the mi nd ,

w i t h t he impe rfe c t s e ns uous e xi s t e nc e s , which

t he body fe e l s t o b e us efu l . Th e y confound

t he p ure tr uths of s t ric t d e d uc t io n wi th t he

imp e rfe c t t ruth s , b ut us e ful g ue s se s , of t he

high e s t i nd uc t io n In s hor t, t h e y d e s i re t o
.

c all and do call A and not A b y t he s ame

-

name , t he s ac re d name of TR U T H .

Now ,the u ti li ty of all abs t rac t c once p t io ns

e nt ir e l y d e p e nd s on our b e i ng abl e t o find in
2 04 PHILOSOPHY OR, [ C
. 4 .

nat u e r re pre s e nt at iv e s of our ab s t rac t io ns ,and

on our b e i ng abl e t o r e d uc e t h e m t o m e as ure ,

b y numb e r ,s p ac e and t im e A m e as urabl e fix e d

.

uni t in e x t e rnal nat ur e is e s s e nt i al t o uti li t ,

y
b ut not t o T r uth . Wh e n t he A rabi ans , for
e x ampl e , m e as ure d an arc of t he me ridIan In

t he s ix t e e nt h c e nt ury ,and r e cord e d th e r e s ul t

in b arl e yco rns ,t he u ti li ty d e p e nd s on the c e r

t ai nty of b arl e ycorns as m e as ure s of S p ac e .

T he unc e r t ai nt y of t he m e as ur e re nd e rs t he
p roc e e di ng of li tt l e uti li ty or v al ue t o us ,b ut
do e s not in any w ay affe c t the ab s t rac t tr ut h
t h at if t he e art h is a s ph e re , t h e n m e as uri ng

t he arc of a gre at circl e will t e ll us it s S iz e .

T he tr uth of t he ab s t rac t re as o ni ng is q ui te
i nd e p e nd e nt and wholly unaffe c te d b y t he
u ti li t o f i t s co ncr e t e applic at io n A n acc u
y .

rat e m e as ure of s p ac e has r e m ai ne d a de s ide

r at um down t o the pr e s e nt day ; b ut wh e t h e r
w e ac t ually m e as ure wi t h t he l e ng th of a

e nd ul um i n a fix e d l at i t ud e , or as E ngli s h
p
me n s t ill do in commo n m at te rs , wi th t he
l e ngt h of N orm an H e nry s g uar d arm, now
’

c alle d a y ard ,c anno t affe c t the p ure t r uth of

our ab s t rac t r e as o ni ng .
 T HE SCIE NCE OF T RU T H . 2 05

It is , t h e re fo re ,w h olly f d d ,th at any

u n oun e

tr ue c ons e q ue nc e in p ure
“
g e ome try follows
from t he p rop os i t io n or fir s t p r inc ip le , that
fig ur e s ans w e r i ng tothe de s c r ip ti on of a c i r c le
” 1
e xi s t in e x te r n a l n atur e T he u t i li t of
.
y
g e o me t ric al d e d uc tio ns follow s from thi s p ri n
c ip l e ; b ut t h e i r p ure , ab s t rac t , p e rfe c t ,and

ne c e s s ary tr u th is wh olly i nd e p e nd e nt of it,

and b e ars n o re l at io n t o i t wh at e v e r , no mo re

or ne are r re l at i on t h an the ab s t rac t t h ough t

in my mi nd b e ars t o ano t h e r m an s body T he

’
.

c oncl us i ons of g e om e t ry are tr ue and ne c e s

s ary ,an d are q ui t e i n d e p e nd e nt of the re al e x

t e rnal e xi s t e nc e of any t hi ng in nat ur e c all e d

b y me n a ci rcl e ; the uti li ty of t ho s e co ncl u

s io ns d oe s d e p e nd on s uch e x t e rnal e xi s t e nc e s .

P ure tr uth is in the mi nd alo ne ; ut i li ty has

re l at io n t o t he bod y and e x t e rnal nat ure ;

Induc t i ve tr uths are o nly us e ful g ue s s e s ,b ut

p ure d e d uc tive t rut h s are not o nly t rue ,b ut
wholly unch ange abl e and ne c e s s ary But the .

ne c e s s i t y or ne v e r c e as ing ne s s c an ne v e r b e
-

g re at e r t h an the t rut h and ne c e ss i ty of the

firs t ab s t rac t c r e ati on the first ass ump t ion,
1 “
L og o, vol . i ,p 2 8 6
. . .
2 06 PH L I OSOPHY ; OR , 5 .

from which t he d e d uc tio n h angs by ne c e s s ary

li nk s of d e mo ns t rat io n .

D alton s L am de duc i ble and ne c e s s ary

’

Why ? a de mons tr ati on qf i t Tak e , for —

e x ampl e , Dal t o n s ill us t rio us di s cov e ry of

’

d e fi ni t e p ropo rt io ns In ch e mi s t ry ; the l aw th at
t he u lti mate p ar ticl e s or at om s O f ch e mic al s ub

s t anc e s combi ne in d e fi ni t e p rop ort io ns . To

any man wi t h a m at h e mat ic al h e ad ,t o a man

lik e D rWh e w e ll ,for e x ampl e ,the me re s t at e

.

me nt of the l aw is ,and mus t b e ,not only mani

fe s tly an i nd uc ti ve co ncl us i on from D al t o n s
’

e xp e ri me nt s ; b u t b y as s umi ng t h e te r m ul t i

mat e p ar ticl e s , Or atom, it c an b e mad e and

b e com e s a m at h e m at ic al , a p ur e , p e rfe c t , and
n e c e s s ar
y t rut h
. It c an ne v e r c e as e t o b e a

t rut h in any i nt e ll e c t wh at e v e r . Mr Mill

.

lifts up his h and s ,or at l e as t his p e n,in as to

nishm e nt , at s uch a d ari ng s t at e me nt from

D r Wh e w e ll ,as t h at Dal t o n s law is a ne c e s

’
.

s ary t r ut h. But t he co nfus ion of mat e ri ali s t ic

logic ,or it s c ri t ic al s ne e rs , or wo nd e r, canno t
e nabl e a t ol e rably cl e ar h e ad t o ad mi t s e lf c on-

t radic ti on . T he law is e as ily d e mons t rate d

b y t he i nv e r se m e thod . Th us ,fore x ampl e
 THE SCIENCE OF T RUT H . 07

P ropo s i tio n —
[f A, a c he mi c al s ub s tanc e ,

co mb i n e s w i th B, anothe r c he mi c al b
s u s tan c e ,

to f or m C the ulti mate p ar ti c le s f

o A co m
b i ne d i n C b e ar a defi n i te p r op or ti on t o the
u lt i mate p ar ti c le s f
o B c omb i ne d i n C .

P roof —
For,l e t l t i mat e p ar t icl e
a be any u

of A , and b any ul t i mat e p art icl e of B ,and

s uppo s e t h e co n t rary hypo t h e s i s p os s ibl e , viz , .

t h at a co mbi ne s n ot o nly wi t h n b t o form C , . .

b ut al s o combi ne s wi th (n n ) b t o for m C
'

We th e n h av e a p articl e O f C a ( n n ) b
. .
’
.

But t hi s is not an ul tim at e p ar t icl e of C, b e

c aus e by the hypo th e s i s w e are giv e n a l e ss
p articl e , viz , C a n b . Th e re fo re , not
. .

b e i ng an ul ti mat e p art icl e of C ,t he p art icl e .

a (n n b c an b e divid e d B ut e v e ry p art icl e

’

) .

of C mu s t r e m ai n C t ill w e g e t t o t he ul t i mat e

p ar ticl e of C, t h e re fo re In the l l Sl On of the

p art icl e a (n n ) b , t he p art icl e a i t s e lf
’

m us t b e divid e d , and a gi ve n as the ul t i mat e

p art icl e in t he hypo t h e s i s , is not an ulti mate
p articl e , which is ab s urd , and a s e lf c ont ra -

dict io n T he re fore the cont rary h y po th e s i s

.

is ab s urd Th e re for e e v e ry ult im ate p articl e

.
Q 08 PHIL OSOPHY ; OR, 5 .

a c an o nly combi ne wi t h a d e fi ni te p ropor

t io n,viz , n b , to form C e rgo ,&c ,Q E D
. . . . . .

I f mat e ri ali s t ic logic c anno t s e e t he fo rce

of t hi s re as o ni ng , it is t o r e g re t t e d ; b ut w e

c anno t b e as k e d t o c ont radic t o urs e l ve s t o

s ui t t he e l as t ic logic al p e rc e p t io ns of s e lf

p uz zl e d mat e ri ali s t s ; or, as D r Wh e w ell .

j us tly s ay s , t o b e li e v e in a wo rld of c onfus io n

and c ont radic t i on , as th e h andiw ork of God !

Not o nly t he i nt e ll e c tual b ut t he moral p e r

c e p t ions of manki nd r e j e c t t he co nt rary ab s ur d

hyp ot h e s i s ,an d e s tabli s h t he ne c e s s ary tr uth

of Dal t o n s g re at di s cov e ry
’
.

But now , in wha t r e s p e c t , and w hy , is

Dal t o n s l aw not o nly t rue b ut n e c e s s ary ?
’

It is wholly fo und e d on t he fund ame n t al

as s ump t io n t h at al l ch e mic al s ub s t anc e s h ave

ultimate p art icl e s ,or at om s ,i ndi vi s ibl e From .

t h at it is s t ric t l y d e d ucibl e , as I h av e S how n

and d e mo ns t rat e d abov e .We i nv e nt and

m anufac t ure t he wo rd , ulti mate p ar ti c le ,
“
-

or at o m . Our d e mo ns t rati on,and t he wh ol e

m e ani ng and fo rc e of Dal t on s law h angs ’

u po n t h at w o r. d T he m e nt al c o nc e p ti on
r e p re se nt e d by th at word , ultimate p ar ti c le , -
Cm.
, THE SCIENCE OF T RU TH . 2 09

or at om, i s a p ure me nt al h uman c r e ati on .

Of t he w ond rous c ons t i t ut io n of t hi ng s i n

the ms e lve s , w e k now no t hi ng an d affi rm no

t hi ng . Lik e child re n s t andi ng on t he s h ore s

of t he oc e an of t r uth ,w e fl i ng in our li t t l e

p e bbl e s ,and s triv e t o c ount the rippl e s t h at

t h e y mak e N e w t o n s ow n ill us t rat i on of
’
.

his ow n w on d rous di s cov e ry of t he l aw of

t he h e ave ns ab ove us , c annot b e b e t t e r or

mo re p rop e rly appli e d ,t h an t o Dal t on s al mo s t

’

e ually w ond r ous di s co v e r o f t h l a w of t h

q y e e

mi nut e s t p art icl e s of unorg ani se d m at t e r

in t he wo rld b e ne at h our e y e s . Y e t s o c on
s i de re d,t h at l aw i s n ot o nly t rue ,b ut n e c e s

s ar and ne v e r c e as i ng
y
-
.

But c onc e rni ng t h at e x t e r nal wo rld i t s e lf,

Dal t o n s l aw , arriv e d at by i n d uc t i on, or S O
’

d e d uc e d as afo re s aid ,do e s affi r m nothing f It

i s a v e rb al t rut h o nly ,which w e may fre e l y
apply u nt il it s h all b e s up e r s e d e d by s o me

ab s t r ac t g e ne ralizat io n , s t ill wid e r and s t ill

mo re ne c e s s ary , w h e re t he c onc e p t io n, or
wo rd ult i mate p ar ti c le , or at om ,may dis ap
-

p e ar from s ci e nc e al t og e t h e r, as wh olly in
s uffici e nt an d i nad e q uat e t o r e pre se nt t he
 PHILOSOPHY OR, [ C . VIL , 5 .

ph e no me na w hich He ,who is holy , j us t ,and

t r ue ,may t hi nk pr op e r t o p e rmi t s o me of his

child re n t o di s c ove r and und e rs tand .

It ne v e r c an b e t oo oft e n or t oo s t ro ng l y
i mp re s s e d up on me n,philos oph e rs or not ,th at
al l h um an t r ut h is v e rb al t r ut h o nl I n d uc
y .

t i ve or d e d uc t iv e , it is ali ke in t h at re s pe c t ;

c all it tr uth or c all it u ti li ty , it is and c an b e

Only w ord s appli e d t o prac t ic e .

It i s ab s urd t o as k w h e th e r m an s body or
’

mi nd is mo s t us e ful t o knowl e dg e , or in o rd e r
t o g ai n k nowl e dg e . Wi tho ut a body , i e , . .

wi tho ut s e ns at io n, He c an ne i th e r kno w nor

l e arn any thi ng .
’3
Wi tho ut a mi nd ,t he s ame
re s ul t mus t follow . It is e q ually ab s urd to
as k wh e th e r i n d uc t io n or d e d uc t io n is mo s t

use ful as a g uid e t o k n owl e dg e , i e , t r ue

. .

k nowl e dge In man s p re s e nt s t at e ,i t is im

.
’

po s ibl e t o s ay which is mo s t use ful .

But , ne v e r t h e l e s s , i n d uc t io n o nly coll e c t s

t he cr ud e m at e ri al s , as t he b ody c oll e c ts t he

c r ud e s e nsat io ns ,from which d e d uc t io n, like

t he mi nd , s e l e c t s an d p urifi e s s om e fe w fun

dame nt al t ruth s , and t h e nc e l e ad s t he w ay

”

alo ng t he p ath s of m ath e m atic s t o the mo s t

C V II ,
. . T HE SCIENCE OF T RU T H . 2 11

b e aut iful and une xp e c t e d m e ntal ,and v e rb al ,

and bodily di s cov e ri e s ,b ot h t rue an d us e ful ,

and applic abl e t o e x te rnal n at ure ; tr ue , in

wo rd s only , b ut us e ful and applic abl e t o

h uman w ant s and h uman doi ng s in the wo rld
and univ e rs e aro und us .

N OT E —
j e ction th at c he mists ar e fo ce d s ome
T he ob r

t ime s t o di ide an i n divi ibl e atom,is not fatal t o D al ton s

’
v s

th e o y,a Sir J H e ch e l h as r e mar k e d

r s . rs ! P oport ion is . r

n ot affe c te d by di vi si on , h ow e ve r fte n contin ue d ; b ut O

t h rough out n atu e it is th e app ar e nt e x ce pti ons t h at h oul d

r s

b e c ur ious ly e xamin e d to ugge st d e e pe r vi e ws of h e r op e

s

r at i on We mu t try and me as ure th e anomaly n ume ri

s . s

cally Wate r and bi muth se e m to diffe r fr om all oth e r

. s

s ub tan ce s by e xp anding on b e c oming s olid f om c old

s Can r .

th e amount b e me a u e d,in p oport i on t o th e ir w e igh t or

s r r

de n ity , n ume ric all y ?

s It is from u ch e ampl e s t h at s x

de e pe r v ie w s of th e constitution of matte r may b e Ob taine d .

“
E ssa y,
s
p.2 32 .
2 12 PHILOSOPHY ; OR , 1.

CH A P T E R VIII .

L IFE AND MIND .

( l )
. An E x amp le of the P R OD U CT H yp
the s is i n Ve r bal D i s c us s i on
—
Le t us ill us t rat e
by an e x ampl e ,if po s s ibl e ,wh at w e p rac t ic ally
m e an by c alling ab s t rac t g e ne ral t e rm s num
b e rs ,p r oduc ts of ab s t rac t fac t ors ; e ach fac t or
be i ng s om e s upp os e d lik e ne ss of t he uni t
ad op t e d or cho se n t o mark out a nd l imi t the

cl as s Le t us s e l e c t t h os e v e ry ab s trac t t e rm s
.

LIF E and MIND . Ce rt ai n philo s oph e rs of t he

pr e s e nt day e arne s tly s e e k t o e s tabli s h the
d oc t ri ne of t he id e nti ty of Life and Mi nd ;
not t h at mi nd po s s e s s e s s o me high e r life ,ana

log ous o nly t o t he l ow e r life of the b ody b ut

t h at t he h uman mi nd has g row n and b e e n de
C . T HE SCIENCE OF T RU TH . 2 13

ve IOp e d by s om e l aw of v e ge t abl e ,and anim al ,

and ne rv ous gro wt h . In S ho rt , t h at man
re w on t hi s e ar t h acco rdi ng t o s o me l aw ,out
g
of a lich e n ,a Z o ophy t e ,or p ro t oz oon .

T he t w o cl as s e s h e re p ropo s e d for comp ari

s on,ar e wh at me n c all li vi n t hi n s ,and wh at
g g
me n c all me n tal thi ng s n ot t he me nt al ac t s
of an i nt e l lig e nt s p ani e l ,an ant ,a b e e , or a

b e av e r,ad ap t i ng t h e i r ac tio ns and mat e ri al s

t o th e p e c uli ar ci rc ums t anc e s in which t h e y

happ e n t o b e pl ac e d b y nat ure , or may for

e xp e r i me nt h av e b e e n pl ac e d b
y m a n ; b ut

t h at high e r M i nd or r e as on , t h at im agi na

t io n,t h ose s e nt i me n t s of be ne vol e nc e , v e ne ra

t io n, j us t ic e , or o t h e r high e r h uman q uali t i e s

i nfl ue nci ng the h uman Will ,which in all age s ,

fro m A ri s t otl e downward s , h av e b e e n re cog
nis e d by i nt e llig e nt me n , as di s ti ng ui s hi ng

m anki nd me nt ally , from the low e r ani mal s ,

and which me n t al s e nt i me nt s or p ri ncipl e s I

wo uld d e nomi nat e , the Human W i ll ; b ut

which is commonly c all e d the high e r Re as o n,
or t he h uman Mi nd .

It is of co urs e as ol d as the logic of t he

Gre e ks ,t o c all i n e v e ry di s c us s io n for a de fi
2 14 PHILOS OPHY ; OR , [ C . 1.

nition, c ons is t in of t he and e s se nt a i l

‘

g g e nus

diffe re nc e ; t w o word s t o li mi t the wo rd or

t hi ng p r opo s e d for di s c us s io n . BU t if my

t h e o ry of al l word s b e i ng numbe r s and p r o

duc ts b e w e ll fo und e d , t h at t h e o ry which I

i ns i st I h av e d e mo ns t rate d b e yo nd p oss ibl e
co nt radict io n by any man who s p e ak s and c an
a dd t ho ugh t s or wo rd s t og e th e r co rr e c tl
y ; I
h av e e nt i tl e d a re as o ne r t o ask for, and de
man d e xp re s s ly ,e ve ry ab s t rac t wo rd or f ac tor
w hich is t o compo un d t he t h ough t s of, or

wo rd s Life and Min d ,in thi s di s c uss io n T he .

lik e ne s s e s of li vi ng t hing s i n g e ne r al,and of

h uman m e ntal t hi n gs i n g e ne r al, mus t b e
g iv e n u s , t ill w e ar riv e at S impl e fun d am e n tal
t ho ugh t s , or i n d e c ompo s abl e wo rd s Wh at '
.

l ik e n e ss e s , I ask t h e re fore , do y ou me an t o
s ay , r oduc e th e t ho ugh t s , Life a nd Mi nd , if
p
nt us t o ag re e wi t h y ou ? D o n t b e at
’

y o u w a

abo ut the b us h for a gr am mat ic al d e fi ni t io n,

b ut j ot down all the f ac tor s which y ou s ay

prop e rly produce in us th e s e d e e p and ah
s t rac t t ho ugh t s ,l e and human mi nd
if .

Le t us t urn up , t h e re fore ,almo s t any g ood

bo ok on phy s iology ,and l e t us j us t p ut dow n
C . m,
v . T HE SCIENCE OF T RU T H . 2 15

s om e of the b e s t e s tabli sh e d fund am e nt al

t ho ugh t s , or i nd e c ompo s abl e ab s t rac t w ord s ,

re cog ni s e d by al mo s t all i nt e llig e nt ob s e rv e rs

of Life ,as t he lik e ne s s e s po s se s s e d in co mmo n

by all livi ng t hi ngs E v e ry livi ng thi ng has ,

.

t h e y t e ll us

S ub s tanc e ,or m at te r and for m,

Org aniz at i on,
Ab s o rp ti on,
A s s imilati on,
Se cre ti on,
Re p rod uc ti on
S o far veg e table life .

Add S e ns ati on ,for a Z oophy t e

A dd N e rvo us ac ti on ,
for malS
anI .

or Int e llIg e nc e ,

Yo ur w ord li e ,or livi ng t hi ng , as di s t i nct

f
from h uman life , i ncl udi ng Mi nd , or m an s ’

high e r Re as o n or Will , i ncl ud e s all t he abo ve

d e e p and di ffic ul t t hi ngs ,t ho ught s ,or wo rd s .

Wh at do w e k no w ab out all th e se d e e p
and diffi c ul t ac t io ns and t hi ng s ? Cuvi e r and
Ow e n will fe ar t o t re ad w h e re H e rb e rt
S p e nc e r Mr Darwin,and the We s tmi ns te r
.
“

Re vi e w , will r un a m uck .
 PHILOSOPHY ; OR ,

N ow ,if th e r e ad e r will p at i e ntly look ov e r

our li s t of t he abov e , t o s o me e x t e nt , re c og
nis e d ac tor s ,prod uci ng t he t ho ugh t or id e a
f
of L ife , or t he wo rd livi ng t hi ng , he will

fi nd s e ve n wo rd s e ndi ng in ti on ,e ach of which

i mpli e s s o me s e c re t AC T ION or p roc e s s ,p ro
c e e ding ac t iv e ly in e v e ry l ivi ng b e i ng , fi ve

ac t io ns in v e g e t abl e life ,s i x i n a Z oophy t e ,

and s e v e n in an ani mal ,al l di ffe re nt ,for which

ac ti ons ,p hy s iol og is t s h ave b e e n co mp e ll e d by

ph e nom e na,by fac ts cl e arly p re s e nt e d t o t h e ir

s e ns e s , t o i n v e nt and ad op t ne w an d di s t i nc t

n ame s , in o rd e r t o b e und e r s t ood . Of e ach of

t h e s e s e cre t ac ti ons ,t he mo s t l e arne d p hy s iol o

gi s t s are profo undly ig no rant ! w ho c an p re te nd

t o te ll uS any tr uth c onc e rni ng t h e di ffe re nc e

b e tw e e n t he adj us t me nt or ar r ang e me nt in a
d e ad c ry s tal , and t he adj us t me nt or ar r ang e
me nt c all e d o rgani z at io n in a livi ng body One ?

s impl e mi nd e d man did i nd e e d t hi nk t h at he

-

had p rod uc e d a mi t e in his g al vanic b at t e ry ,

wh e n he e xp e c te d a c ry s t al of al u mi na t o ap
p e ar If t he Ac ar us Cr os s i i I S t o b e re c e ive d
.

as a di s t i nct s p e c ie s i nt o t he ani mal ki ngd om,

w e m us t g o b ack t o c ry s t alliz at io n But wh at

.
 T HE SCIENCE OF T RU TH . 2 17

do w e k no w abo ut the g rowt h or prod uc tio n

of org ans in li vi ng b e i ng s ; t he abs orp ti on of

t he p e c uli ar food by t he r oo t s or ab s orb e nt

v e ss e l s ; the j udg me nt ,t he di s c ri mi natio n e x

e rc is e d in s e e ki ng and ab s orbi ng o nly th e

r o er
p p f ,
ood an d s o o n ; e a ch ac t i on O f t h e

livi ng body as it w e re wid e ni ng in its mira

c ul ous ci rcl e ,an d b e comi ng m ore and m ore

ob s c ure at e v e ry s t e p , mo re ob s c ure t o t he
p at i e nt , an d t ho ugh tful , and co ns ci e ntio us
ob s e rve r .

But if t he ligh t wi thi n i s d ark ne s s , p os

s ib l y the d ark ne s s t hi nk s i t s e lf e nl igh t e ne d

by the l ong w or ds in which phy s i ol ogi s ts t e ll

t he t ho ugh t s p rod uce d In t h e i r mi n d s ; t he

lo ng wor ds which e xp re s s t h at s o me thi ng ,

t h at has p as s e d alo ng our mi n ut e inc arry ing

ne rv e s i nt o our i nfi n i t e ly mi nut e ne rvo us b rai n

c e ll s and t h e re b e e n i ns p e c t e d and re co rd e d
b y m an s i nt e ll e c t ual fac ul t i e s ,and t h e n s e nt
’

fort h o nc e mo re alo ng our mi nut e outc arry ing

ne r ve s , t o t he l ary n x and t he t ong ue , or t o

t he e nd s of our fi ng e rs and t he p e n, and

t urne d i nt o lo ng w or ds .

But all t hi s m anufac t ure of word s is o nly

2 18 PHILOSOPHY ; OR , { C. m,
v 1.

th e firs t p roc e s s of the h um an i nt e ll e c t , t h at

i nt e lle c t which t o s om e e x t e nt man Sh are s
wi t h the ant and the s pid e r We h av e not
.

t re ach e d t h e t h re s hold ,or I had almo s t s ai d

y e

wi thi n an i nfi ni te di s tanc e of the t h re s hold

of the p ure h um an Mi nd or high e r Re as o n ,

t h os e hi he r s e nt i me nts , t h at h um an Will
g
which S h ake s us wi t h lo ve ,v e ne ration ,j ust ic e ,
wo nd e r,re mo rs e or FEAR ,if it c an y e t c om
me nc e in t he MIND of t he philo s ophic r e ad e r .

Y e s , FEA R ! t he b e gi nni ng of wi s dom and

k nowl e dge , th at fe ar and aw e of God , t h at
s ho uld agi t at e y o ur n e rv e s as y ou c ont e mpl at e

t he wo nd ro us s c e n e wi tho ut , and the mor e

wo nd e rful s c e ne wi thi n yo ur b rai n,and S ho uld

b ri ng y ou d own in h umbl e ad orat i on of t he
Be i ng , wh os e l aw s of m i nd and matt e r y ou
have s o oft e n wilfully v i ol at e d ; ay l t e ns of
‘

t ho us an d s of t i me s ,h at i ng wh e r e y ou s ho uld

h ave lov e d ,d e s pi s i ng and s co rni ng wh e re y ou

s h ould h av e ve ne rat e d , viol at i ng j us t ic e and

t rut h i n t h ough t , and wo r d , and d e e d ; and

for y e ars ,from b oyhood t o m anh ood , wilfully

re mors e ,an d S h ut ti ng y our e y e s t o t he
s t ifli n
g
b ri nk of t h at e t e rnit y on which y ou h av e
C . v m,
. T HE SCIE NC E OF T RUT H . 2 19

a lw ay s b e e n s t andi ng Oh ! may w e y e t b e
.

abl e t o s ay , I will ari se and go t o t hi s

Fath e r, and will say unt o H im ,Fath e r,I h av e
s i nne d b e for e H e av e n ,an d in Thy s igh t , and

m ay w e fi nd p e ac e ,t h at p e ac e which c an m ak e
”
us ,not as o t h e r s are , which h av e no h op e .

But t o re t urn t o our di s c us s io n of L if e I S .

t h e r e any re s t i ng pl ac e b e t w e e n c ons id e ri ng
-

life and mi nd ,wholly di s t i nc t ; and the o t h e r

t h e ory , t h at e ve ry p ar t icl e of m at t e r , or

a n i s e d an d unorg ani s e d ,po ss e sse s i nt e llig e nc e

g
e nabli ng it t o thi nk and t o s e l e c t and m ak e

choic e of it s comp anio n p ar ticl e or p ar ticl e s ,in

t he s am e w ay as a man s e l e c t s and cho os e s his

Ow n comp an i ons , bo ok s of w ord s ,bodi e s of

t hi ng s ,or mi nd s of p e r s o ns ,t o ac t an d r e ac t

upo n h is ovv n m e nt al fram e ,for his ow n m e nt al

pl e as ure s and moral p urpo se s ? Why are w e

t o b e gi n wi t h life and o rg ani s at io n ? Why not
go b ack t o cry s t al s and uno rg ani s e d mat t e r ?

T he p art icl e s of a ch e mic al mix t ure , of

almo s t any ki nd , for e x ampl e , e xhibi t afii ni é

t i e s ,liki ng s ,dis l ik ing s , pr e fe re nc e s , and p e r

ve rs itie s , q ui t e di ffe r e nt ,b ut q ui te as s t r ang e

and m y s t e ri ous ,and c aus ally unk now n,as do

L Q
22 0 PHILOSOPHY ; OR, § 1.

t he a s b orb e nt ve ss e l s or the o rg ans of a livi ng

b e i ng T he fac t s and ph e no me na w e s e e and
.

ob s e rve ; b ut the re as o n and m e ani ng w e hid e

und e r a w ord —
t he wo rd c he mi c al afi ni ty ; a

di s po s i tio n t o uni t e ; e l e c tiv e or s e le c ti ve ,and,

m ore ov e r,defi ni te unde r Dal t o n s l aw num e
—
’
a

r ic al ly p rop o r t i onal ; ac t ually mat h e m at ic al ,

an d,as I h av e S how n,an te p 2 07 , and ab s o .

l ut e ly n e c e s s ar y , if w e ad mi t the wo rd ul t i
mat e p ar ti c le or at om t o m e an any thi ng
at al l .

y ou will s ay ,life is not defi ni te ,it

'

Oh ! b ut
is not ch e mic al affi ni ty . Life s us p e nd s Che -s

mic al affi ni t y , m ore or l e ss Life s e l e c ts ,b ut

.

n ot i n defi n i t e p r op ort io ns . T he o rg ans are

n ot t he s ame , an d t h e ab s orp t i on will v ary a

li t tl e ,e v e n in t he s ame livi ng b e i ng at di ffe re nt

t i me s . T he as s i mil at i ng p roc e s s will v ary ;
th e s ec r e t i ons will v ary , e v e n in t he s ame

o rg ans , wi t hi n c e rtai n limi ts , and at di ffe re nt

t i me s ; t h e re is a v ari abl e ne s s in L ife , and not

a defi n i t e ne s s. In s ho rt , t h e re is a t e nd e ncy ,
one migh t s ay , t o f r e e w il l , wi t hi n c e rtai n

li mi ts , in e v e ry livi ng b ody And wh e n w e

.

c ome t o s e ns at i on,and ne rvo us ac t io n, and t o

C . v1n , l
.
§ ] . T HE SCIENCE OF T RUT H .

i nte llig e nc e in anim al s , t h e r e is more and

mo re te nd e ncy t o fre e will or t o fre e choic e ,
w i thi n c e r t ai n li mi t s , i ns t e ad of t o any h ard

fi
n um e ric al p ropo rt io ns or de ni te ne s s .

T he w ay in which life is s uppo rt e d ,and is

co nti nue d or re p rod uc e d , is not de fi ni t e ,b ut
v ari e s mo re and mo re , t he high e r t he ki nd of
li fe e x amIne d T he h ard me ch anic al ne c e s s i t y
.

of li vi ng on one s po t , and dyi ng t h e re lik e a

plant , if its appoi nt e d food is not b ro ugh t t o

it s ab s o rb e nt v e s s e l s , giv e s pl ac e t o loco
m otio n T he y o ung of a fix e d Z ooph y te will
.

play and di s po rt t h e ms e lve s , t ill t h e y s e t tl e

d own i nt o t he fix e d s p onge ! P e rfe c t ani mal
locomo t ion follow s ,t ill at l as t all life is s p e nt
in t he s e arch for anim al g rat ific at ions W e l l, .

It s e e m s t h at a di s c us s io n of life t e nd s rat h e r

t o f r e e w i l l t h an t o ne c e s s i ty
. AS li fe de g

ve l op e s b e for e us ,i n t he s ucc e s s io n of nat ur al

livi ng cre at ure s ,it do e s s e e m more like the [

t rue an d r e al d e v e lop me nt of abs olu te f r e e

w i l l, t h an lik e a p r oc e s s io n t o any i r o n lik e

-

or unb e ndi ng ne c e s s i t y We go on from low e r

.

life t o high e r life , g rad ually i nc re as ing fre e

will, until ne rv e s do not s e e m t o follow any
222 PHI LOSOPHY ; OR, [ C
. V III ,§ l
. .

b l
a s o ut e l aws wh at e v e r,b ut se e m g rad ually t o
b e ab le t o e x e rci s e g re at e r and g re at e r fre e
choic e or will .
”
I c onfe s s , say s Agas siz ,
th at I c anno t s ay in wh at t he me nt al fac ul t i e s
“

of a child diffe r fro m t ho s e of a y o ung chim

” ”
p a n ze e. 0
—
n C las s
ifl , p 8
. 9 B u.t t h e n,
he add s , o rg anis at io n c ann o t b e c aus e d b y
“

phy s ic al ag e nt s ; it is utte rly i mp o s sibl e t o

mai nt ai n t he id e a of any g e ne t ic co nne xio n
b e t we e n th e m A fi s h, a crab , a m uss e l ,
.

livi ng in t he s ame w at e rs ,b re athi ng at t he

same s o urc e ,S h ould h av e t he s am e r e s pir at ory

o rg ans , if the e l e me nt s in which th e se animal s

liv e had any thi ng t o do wi t h s h api ng th e ir
org anis at io n . Ibi d, p 93
—
. In s hor t , li fe
.

vari e s and ri s e s , and fr e e choic e or f r e e w i l l

e x t e n d s and d e v e lo p e s i t s e lf .

H e re w e h av e o nly glimp s e d at the wo nd e rs

of ab so rp t io n b y e nd ose mos e , and at t he

g ro w t h of v ari e d org ani s at io n ,und e r l i k e s ur

ro undi ng Ci rc um s t anc e s , the t wo fir s t o nly

of our s e v e n s e l e c t iv e ac ti ons cle arly I nvol v e d

i n anim al life .Who c an d e s crib e the vari e d
my s te ri e s of as s i mi lati on t o e ach di ffe re nt
livi ng b e i ng ,se l e c ti ng what it w ill as s imil ate
 T HE SCIENCE OF T RU T H
. . 223 ~

to i t s e l f and its it s s ue s ? or t he s till more

varIe d m s t e ri e s of s e c r e t i ons wi t hi n the bodi e s

y
of e ach l IVIng b e i ng ,t o p rod uc e it s v ario us

p arts ; e ach s e le c ti ng organ s e le ct i ng it s own

p e c uli ar w ant ,and wo rk i ng out its ow n p e
c ul iar p r od uc e b i t s o w n func tio ns ,v ar i ng
y y
from t i me t o t im e it s modus op e r andi ,s o as
t o p rod uc e as ne ar as may b e e ve n a d e forme d

lik e ne s s of the typ e it pr e fe rs Th e n com e

t he d e e p e r my s t e ri e s of t he r ep r odu c ti on of

pl ant s and anim al s ,wid e ni ng and wid e ni ng in

di ffic ult y as w e co nt e mp l at e i nfi ni t e s im al
ge rm s We fi nd e mbryo s Ins h e at h e d in e m
.

b ry os ,and g e rm s e nc lo se d w i t hi n o t he r g e rm s ;

y ,e t n e v e r t hl e s s ,a ll e n dow e d w i t h s om e un

k nown pow e r t o s e l e c t and choo s e the p e c uliar

m at te r which th e y like , from t he m atte r
which t h e y do not lik e , w h e re b y t o no uri s h
”
the yo ut hful b e i ng , afte r it s k i nd .

But it is ne e dle ss ,nor am I at all comp e t e nt

t o pro c e e d wi t h any p rop e r and full d e s c rip t ion

of al l th e o t h e r f r e e act io ns of l ife and i nt e l

.

l ig e nc e in th e anim al ki ngdom , b e lo w t he
moral me ntal lyife of man No one who t hinks ,
.

or has e v e n c as ually s t udi e d t he ord inary wo n ia

 2 4s PHILO SOPHY ; O R, [ C . VIII ,§ 1
. .

d e rs of anim al life and ani mal i nte llige nc e ,in

phy s iol ogical work s ,c an p os s ibly s uppo se t h at
our k nowl e dg e of life , and it s p roc e s s e s and

ac t io n s ,is al re ad y s uch as t o e nabl e us t o fo rm

t he mos t dim g ue ss of p rob abili ty , wh e t h e r

the n e rvo us i nt e llig e nc e of an ani mal co uld de

ve l op i t s e lf i nt o th e r e as o n and high e r pow e rs

of a mo ral an d r e ligi ous mi nd e d man

- —
of, for

e x ampl e ,a S oc rat e s. But ,one t hi ng d oe s s e e m

mo re p rob abl e t h an an o t h e r,and it is thi s : th at
al l t he mark s and s y mp t oms of a fre e and i nde

p e nd e n t w i ll do i nc r e as e as w e ri s e high e r and
high e r, until w e re ach m anki nd , who s e i ndi
vid ual arbi t rari ne s s ,who s e ab s ol ute fre e will,
w i t hi n t he limi t s O f his fac ul t i e s , wo uld b e

e s t abli s h e d b y analogy and i nd uc tio n, if any

s uch q ue s ti on c an b e p rov e d by i nd uc t io n or

by analogy from the life of the lowe r ani mal s .

Life ,t h e re fore ,s e e ms t o l e ad us up t o the

h uman min d and h um an fre e will , not by
g r ow th of p ar t icl e s ,b ut by a ki nd o f analo
gy .

If w e fi nd choic e and s e l e c tio n of ac t ivi ty

e xi s t i ng in e v e ry d e p art m e nt of nat ure ,w i

d e ni ng , e x te ndi ng , and inc re as Ing it s fre e

c hoic e and fre e ac t io n,as w e ri s e t hro ugh the
O . vn I ,g s
.
] T HE SCIENCE OF T RU T H . 225

v e ge tabl e and anim al ki ngdo ms ,t ill w e fi nd it

c ul mi nati ng in man the mo s t fi c kl e , and
—

ch ang e abl e ,and unc e rtai n b e i ng upon e ar th

i t m us t re q ui re a mos t marv e ll ous d e fe c t of
re as on,for t hi s b e i ng t o t hi nk t h at t h e l aw of

nat ure has s t opp e d s ho rt wi t h hi m,and t h at

he is s ubj e c t t o s o me i ro n ne c e s s i t y , i ns te ad
of t aking and arrivi ng at t he v e ry O ppo s i te
c oncl us io n ; th at f r e e w i ll and fre e ch oic e ,t he
ab s ol ut e pow e r t o s e l e c t h is ow n m od e s of

ac t i on wi thi n t h e i r li mi t s , mus t h ave r e c e i ve d

in man, i t s g re at e s t w orldly d e ve l op me nt ,
wh e th e r as a re as on for his re s po ns ibili ty or
n ot . But h ow i s t hi s ne rv ous f r e e w i l l t o b e
co mp are d wi t h the high e r me nt al fre e d om ,the
mo ral q uali t i e s and p ow e rs p e c uli arly h uman ?

T he F ac tor s o he Human M i nd
f t

P ow e r , W i s dom, Goodne s s .
—
Phy s i ologi s t s ,
in g e ne ral ,h av e giv e n us th e f ac tor s o l
f fi e

se v e n or more my s t e ri ous and wo nd e rful

ac t i ons Le t us t u rn t o t he me t aphy s ici ans
.

for t he f ac tor s Of th e h uman mi nd , which are

t o b e c omp are d wi t h t h e f actors of Life .

Al mo s t all me taphy s ici ans have r e c og ni s e d ,

und e r s om e t e rms or anot h e r , thr e e v e ry

L 5
 PH IL OSOPHY ; OR , [ C . 2 .

m arke d and p arate , b ut conne c te d , l ike

se

n e s se s of all h uman mi nd s ,w hich I s ubmi t ,

t h ere for e , b y g e ne ral c ons e nt of me tap hy

s ic ians , ma b e c all d an d a e t h e thr e e

y e , r ,

f ac tor s of t he h um an Mi n d co ns id e r e d as one

m e ntal b e i ng viz ,—
.

Se nse , F e ling ,
e s E motion .

U n de rs tandin ,or g P c ption ,o I nt ll ct

er e s r e e .

R e as on, Se ntime nts , Will .

I p re fe r t he h re e l as t word s t o e xp re ss my
t

t ho ugh t of t he h um an mi n d in i t s t o t ali ty

viz , ani mal, i nte llig e nt, and mor al pow e rs ,

.

ani mal E m ot io ns ,i nt e ll e c t ual J ud m e nt s ,and

g
the mor al h um an Will Man s mi nd has not ’
.

rt s ; it is n ot m ad e of t h e s e th re e p ar t s ,as
p a

if t h e y w e re s e p arabl e and di st i nct E mo t io n .

i s a mi nd , I nt e ll e c t is a mi nd ,Will is a mi nd ,
b ut y e t t h e y are not t h re e mi nds , w holl y
di s t i nc t in the h um an body ,b ut one mi nd
t he Mi n d of a man .

In one man t he e mo t io nal mi n d is t oo

s t ro ng and in e xc e ss : he is th e p as s ronat e

man,who s e i nt e llig e nc e and moral s e nti me nt s

do not re s t rai n his e mo t io ns , his viol e nt p as
s io ns , his anim al prop e ns i t i e s In ano th e r .
 T HE SCIENCE OF T RU T H . 227

man t he i nt e llig e nc e Is In e xc e ss : he is t he
cl e v e r, i nt e llig e nt , cold , hard , i mmoral , and
unfe e li ng ,s e lfi s h in di vid ual ; i nt e lli g e nc e ,un

ch e ck e d b y ani mal fe e li ng s and afi e c t ions ,and

'

ung uid e d b y moral s e nt im e nts ; t he ve ry in

c arnat io n of a d e mon upon e art h ! Thirdly ,

th e re is t he S e nt im e ntal man ,full of fi ne mo ral

t ho ugh t s and s e nt im e n t s ,w i t ho ut st ro ng e mo

t i ons or gre at i nt e lli g e nc e , an d i nc apab le of

ac t io n e i th e r for good or e vil ; w ilful , b ut

w e ak , fickl e ,and falli ng ; th e s l av e of s o me
s t ro ng e r h um an w ill , and p oss ibly at o ni ng b y

s om e affe c t io ns and by r e m ors e ,b a b rok e n

y
he art and w orldly wre t h e d ne ss ,for its d e fe c ts
c

of i nt e ll e c t ual w i s dom and of mo ral Will .

H e re , howe v e r, is the brok e n im ag e ma

has t o c onte mpl at e wi thi n hi ms e lf . E mo t io ns
iv e n ral h uman po we r ! I n t l l c t gi
g g e e e e v e s

e ne ral h uman wi s dom ; and Will giv e s n a l

g g e e r

h uman good ne s s ,or o ugh t t o do s o We th us .

b e hold li mi te d po we r s t o ac t ,limi te d wi s dom

t o s e e , and li mi t e d go od ne s s t o dir e c t ; b ut,
al as ! how de fi l e d , and how d e fac e d , how
mi s e ry wo rn is the coi n which b e ars s o plai nly
-

wri tte n on it ,thi s im ag e and s up e rs crip tio n — é

 PHILO SOPHY OR, [ C
. 2 .

P OWE R ,WIS DOM, and GOOD NESS . Ar e t h e y

not b d and mi s di re c t e d , and in e ve ry
a us e

man t h at bre ath e s ,at s om e t i me or ano the r,

wholly d e grad e d an d l os t ?

Le t us adop t the wo rd s of an author from

w hom w e h av e s o O ft e n di ffe r e d , and from

w ho s e p ubli s h e d O pi nio ns on h um an Soc Ie ty

w e diffe r e v e n more wid e ly , if po s s ibl e , t h an

w e h av e di ffe re d from him on philo s ophy ; ,

l e t us t ak e the word s of Mr H e rb e rt S p e nc e r,
.

and , for o nc e ,ack nowl e dg e t h e i r t rut h , and

t h ank him for t h e d e s c rip t io n of t he f al le n

h uman Mi nd . Th rougho ut the r e s t of c re a

t io n w e fi nd t he s e e d and t he e mb ryo at t ai n

ing t o p e rfe c t mat uri ty wi t ho ut e x t e rnal aid .

D rop an aco rn i nt o t he g ro und and it will

i n due t im e b e c om e a h e al thy oak , wi tho ut
e i t h e r p r uni ng or t rai ni ng. T he i ns e c t p as s e s
t h ro ugh it s s e v e ral t rans for mat i ons unh e lp e d ,

and arriv e s at i t s fi nal fo r m po s s e s s e d of e v e ry

ne e dful c ap aci t y and i ns t i nc t N o c oe rc Ion I S

.

n e e d e d t o m ak e t h e y oung bi r d or q uad rup e d

adop t t h e h abi t s p r op e r t o it s f u tur e life .It s

ch arac te r,like its body ,s p ont ane o us ly as s ume s
compl e t e fitne s s for the p art i t has t o play in
C . THE SCIENCE OF T RU TH . 229

t he wo rld . How h app e ns i t t h at t he human

mi nd alone t e nd s t o d e ve l op i ts e lf w rongly ?

M us t t h e re n ot b e s ome e xc e p ti onal c aus e for

”
t hi s ? M anife s tly ! M anife s tly ,i nd e e d ,t h e re
1

mus t b e a c aus e for wh at Mr S p e nc e r j us tly

.

c all s thi s ano maly in nat ure Mr S p e nc e r

. .

ad voc at e s s oci al e uali t , and n o p r op e rt y in

q y
l and , as re me di e s for t hi s anomaly in nat ure !
Homo homi ni lup us , s ay s the mot t o
as s ume d by an anci e nt S axo n family , who

s ave d t h e i r l and s in t he d ay s of N orman Wil

li am, and w ho s t ill li ve on the nat urally

s e cl ud e d s p ot t h e y t h e n occ upi e d T he hill s
.

are cl e are d , th e mars h i s d rai n e d , t h e r iv e r i s

b ridg e d , and t he moat fill e d up , and t he

”
S oci al S tat ic s of E ngli s h lib e rt y , found e d
on Chris t iamty ,has s av e d a s i ngl e family for

8 00 y e ars and mo re , p rop ri e t ors of t he s ame

s po t Of g round But gl anc e b ack , not for
.

8 00,b ut for s ix t h ous an d y e ar s ,d uring which ,

man, unlik e al l ot h e r ani mal s , has s h ow n no
mo re me rcy on his ki nd ,n o mo re me rcy t h an a
wolf on it s p re y Is it p os s ibl e , afte r al l ,
.

t h at t he s t o ry of Mo s e s is t r ue , and t h at , of
1
Social St at ic , p 18 7
“
s . .
2 3O P HILO SOPHY O R, [ C. VIII , . 2 .

'

the t w o firs tchil dr e n of t he firs t wom an,t he

e ld e r S l e w t he o un g r ? V ril o n t h t fat al
y e e y, a

e v e ni ng t h e famil of m nk i nd mbl e d to a
y a as s e

bi tte r s upp e r , and t he fir s t man may w e ll

h av e w e p t lik e a w oman on the ne ck of t he
o nly s on t h at re m ai ne d t o him How is it .

”
t h at t he H e b re w s t ory , t he H e br e w my th ,

as Mr S p e nc e r c all s i t ,s t ill s e e m s t o s p e ak
.

t o man s h e art in wo rd s t h at c anno t b e e x

’

pl ai ne d away Are t h e s e re ally livi ng wo rd s

.
?

I S it po s s ibl e , more ov e r , t h at the fi r s t mur de r

w as c om mi t t e d in as s e rt i on of e qual i ty , and

b e c aus e of re ligio us h at e ? “
And the Lo r d
had r e sp e c t unt o Ab e l and his offe ri ng ; b ut
unt o Cai n and t o his O ffe ri ng He had n ot

res e c t A nd Cai n w as v e ry w ro t h , and his

p .

co unt e nanc e fe ll ,and the Lo rd s aid unt o Cai n,

Why art t h ou wro th , and why i s thy c ounte
nanc e fall e n ? I f t ho u d oe s t w e ll , s h al t t ho u
not b e acc e pt e d ? and if t ho u do e s t n ot w e ll ,

s in li e th at t he doo r And unt o t h e e Shal l b e

'

”
his d e s i re ,and tho u s h al t r ul e ov e r him .

But t he Lo rd had more re s p e c t unto Ab e l

and hi s o ffe ri ng Did the God of H e av e n
.

viol ate e q uali ty , or did He violat e J us tic e ?

 T HE SCIE NC E OF T RUT H . 2 31

Ye t v e ry good gift , and e ve ry p e rfe c t gift

‘

is from ab ov e , and co me th dow n from t he

Fat h e r of Ligh t s , wi t h who m i s no v ari a
”
b le ne s s , nor S h ado w of t urni ng , s ay s t he
Apo s tl e who s aid al s o , if any man o ffe nd
“

not i n wor d, t he s am e i s a rfe c t man

p e .

It is , h owe v e r, cl e ar, t h at acc ordi ng t o t hi s

s t ory , t he fre e will and s e ns e of e q uali ty in

Cai n s mi nd w as o ffe nd e d , t h at e ve n God

’

H im s e lf,for His ow n p urpo s e s ,S ho uld e x e r

ci s e t h at fre e choic e which he ,Cai n,the child
d t h e c re at ure of fre e will ,did n ot app rov e !
a n

Nay , the p ro mi s e of wo rldly pow e r ov e r his

own bro th e r ,w illi ngly ob e di e n t ,w as not ab l e

t o r e s t rai n him from t aki ng v e nge anc e for his

o ffe nd e d dig ni ty , on the uno ffe ndi ng caus e ;
or from s t rivi ng t o wip e out his i ne quali ty
b e fore God in his brot h e r s blood ! The re fore ,
’

th e p as s io n for e q uali t y c aus e d the firs t re li

gi o ns h at e , and the firs t m urd e r and the fir s t
h uman d e ath , th at e ve r occ urre d or is r e
cord e d in h um an wo rd s !
Thi s is an e x ampl e of t he H um an Mi nd , of
i t s i nt e ll e c t , e mo t io ns , and will. T he f r e e
wi ll of the cr e at ure w as o ffe n d e d at the f r e e
 2 32 PHILOSOPHY O R, [ C
. 2 .

w i l l of t he Cre at o r ! Tho u s h al t n ot p re fe r
my b ro th e r b e fore me , s aid the co unte nanc e
of Cai n All me n are b orn fre e and e q ual ,
.

s aid t he fi rs t m urd e re r, and God H i ms e lf

S h all not vi ol ate e q uali ty on t hi s e art h whil s t
I , the child of fre e will , have a righ t h an d
t o av e ng e t he w rong t o t he p ri ncipl e s of

e q uali ty , d one in my p e rs on, by s e e i ng my

b rot h e r p re fe rre d b e fore me , or his O ffe ri ng
m ore highly re s p e c te d th an mi ne ,e ve n by Him
who mad e uS b ot h ! T he p ro mi s e of w orldly
p owe r ove r the h umbl e and s ub mi s s i ve , will
n ot r e s t rai n t he p rid e and ang e r of s e lfi s h

e q uali t y at s e e i ng t h e h umbl e p re fe rre d by

God . J e alo us e quali ty , th e re fore , p rod uc e d

t he fi rs t p as s i onat e e mo t i on O f the h uman

mi nd ,and is re s p ons ibl e for t he fi rs t m urd e r

e ve r r e c ord e d i n h uman w or ds . _ I S thi s , in
any w ay ,lik e A ni mal Life or N e r v ou s Ac t i on ?

In t ruth , h ow e ve r, the M i nd, th e fre e will

of man is a ch ao s unt il he c an t urn like a
li t tl e child t o its p are nt , and s ub mi t hi ms e lf
in al l childi s h t ruth and S i mplici ty t o his
fat h e r and his God, wi t h his i nt e ll e c t c on
vinc e d, t h at He alo ne . c an t e ach him t rue
 THE SCIENCE OF T RU T H . 33

wi s d om ; wi t h his h e art b rok e n wi t h p e ni t e nc e ,

and his fre e will s ubd ue d and , lik e a child s,
’

anxio us and willi ng t o b e e nligh t e ne d . Th e n,

an d only t h e n, will t he word s of H oly W ri t

s t r ik e on his mi nd , as in e ve ry s yll abl e t he

b e s t ad ap t e d th at wi s d om c ould d e vi s e to
h e lp t o re s tore in man the nobl e i mag e of
GOODNES S t h at Sin had d e fac e d .Oh ! t e ach e r s
of th at ab s ol ut e re ligi on, w hich is ab s ol ut e
no ns e n s e , t he FEA R of God i s t h e b e gi nni ng

of wi s d om ,and wi th out th at f e ar w e c annot

l e arn t o LOV E . But i t is th e S pi ri t t h at
q uick e ne t h the hu man mi nd , and t he v e ry
wo rd s of Je s us ,t h e y are s pi ri t ,and t h e y are
life.
“
NO man c an c ome unt o Me , e xc e p t
t he Fat h e r d raw him, s aid J e s us ; b ut is
”

He not t he Fat h e r, an d will He not d raw

al l t ho s e who as k for t h at S pi ri t , in s i nc e ri t y

and i n t r ut h , as t he s ame J e s us d e cl ar e d ?

T he S pi ri t may b e life in t he mi nd ; b ut the

life in t he ne rv e s is n ot mi n d , b ut t he ins tru
m e nt of s uch mi nd as t he ani mal is e ndow e d
wi t h .

Jus t anal ogy , t h e re fore , and t he high e s t

re as o n,b ut not any l aw of v e ge t abl e or anim al
2 34 PHIL O SOPHY ; OR, [ C
. 2 .

grow th , may w e ll l e ad a man s t ho ugh t s up’

w ard s , by ob se rv atio n of life in the t hi ng ,t o

t rue r t h ough t s of life in t he mi n d ,and fr om

f r e e w i ll in t he p e rs o n , t o t ho ugh ts of a e
r
ne w e d l e in t he b rok e n i mag e of t he P owe r,
if
Wi s dom ,and Good ne s s of God , which w e c an
di s c e rn wi t hi n our own mi nd s
“
Nat ure , as w e ll as S c rip t ure , t e ll s me ,
‘
t h at I am t h e im ag e of God He t h at
und e rs t and s n ot t h us much ,h as not o t h i s
g
fi rs t l e s s on, and has y e t t o b e gi n the alph ab e t
of man
”
.
1
T he my s t e ri e s of t he l ife of t he
body may w e ll t e ach us by anal ogy the s till
g re at e r m s t e ri e s of t he life
y of t h e m i n d .

T he p rop e r life of t he body may l e ad us

u pwar d s t o t he livi ng uni t
y of e m o t io n , i n t e l
l e c t ,and fre e will ,re t urni ng ,in the S pi ri t ,t o
it s One Re d e e m e r and Fat h e r, i ns t ruc t e d ,
r e d e e me d ,and s anc t ifi e d ; ac tiv e ,e nligh t e ne d ,
and li vi n , b e c aus e t ho r o ughl h umbl e d ,and
g y
c onve rt e d from the e rro r of its w ay ; and
n ow o nc e more r e c e ivi ng t he fre e gift of
e t e rnal life ,a s pi ri t ual life wi t hi n Th us only
.

do e s mi nd b e c ome life or life lik e T he -

.

1
B own R lig M d
r
'

s
“
e . e .
”
C. m,
v . T HE SCIENCE OF T RUTH . 35

at t e mp t t o id e ntify life and mi nd , e xc e p t b y

t hi s co ns t an t ly us e d analogy of S c rip t ure ,
f

co nfound s body and mi nd ; co nfo und s the life

of t he body which c om e s from wi t hi n and
b e low ,and the life of t he mi nd ,which m ust
co me from wi th out and from above .

NO man know e t h t he thi ngs of a man, s av e

the s pi ri t of man t h at is i n him T he s pi ri t
.

of man is t he life of t he mi nd , an d if t h at

s piri t b e not t he S pi ri t of God from abov e , it

will mo s t as s ure dly b e t he S pi ri t of E vil fro m

b e low Th e re is a Life of t he Body and a
.

life of t he Mi nd ,b ut who c an s uppo s e th e m

in any wi s e t he s am e ?

One t hi ng , h ow e v e r ,s e e ms qui t e cl e ar fro m

t hi s e x ampl e ; t h at t o at t e mp t t o di s c uss t he
'

id e nti t y of s uch d e e p ab s t rac t tho ugh t s as life

an d mi nd ,by m e ans of s uch d e fi ni t i ons as t he

t he adj us tm e nt of e x t e rnal and i nt e rnal r e

l at ions , is a mo s t i nad e q uat e m e thod of p re

s e nt i ng t o t he mi nd t he t r ue m e ani ng s of s uch

ab s t rac t w o rd s Thi s ,w hich Is Mr S p e nc e r s

. .
’

d e fi ni ti on of life , is al s o ab s urd for the —

word addg us t me n t as s um e s ,in fac t ,or may

'

b e m ad e t o as s um e ,t he v e ry me ntal q ue s tio n
2 36 PHILOSOPHY ; OR , [ C. v m, 2 .

in di s p ute b ut t he t r uth se e ms t o b e ,as he

‘

al s o s e e ms to d mi t ,t h at the adj us t me nt of
a

lif e is t h e adj us t m e nt e ffe c t e d by God and

p e rfe c t ; and th at the adj us tme nt of mi nd is
t he adj us t m e nt of man th e b rok e n i mag e of

his M ak e r ,and not o nly imp e rfe c t ,b ut al t o

g e th e r an anomaly in nat ure , which Mr ”
.

S p e nc e r hi mse lf ve ry p rop e rly c all s man,or the

mi nd of man Thi s i mp e rfe c t or f alle n h uman
.

mi nd c annot ,t h e re fore , p os s ibly h av e g rown,

on h is ow n S h owi ng , out of t h e p e rfe c t i on of

ani mal life , unl e s s p e rfe c t io n d o b re e d i mp e r

fe c t ion
. Th at fall from p e rfe c t i on, which
H oly S c rip t ure has re ve al e d t o man, may
re q ui re t o b e e xpl ai ne d , b ut t he ad mi s s io n of

i t ne g at iv e s th e id e nt i ty of life and mi nd .

T he life of the body is q ui te di ffe re nt from

t he li vi ng S pi r i t of t he h uman mi nd , t ho ugh

bo th c o e xi s t in my s t e ri ous uni ty In e v e ry
-

man t h at b re ath e s .O ur O bj e c t ,of co urs e ,is

not t o di s c us s t hi s g re at q ue s t io n in a fe w

p ag e s , b ut t o gi ve an ill us tratio n of an Im
p rove d me thod of d e fi ni ng t he t e rms t o b e
co mp are d ,viz , Life and Mi nd
. .

We s ubmi t,t h e re fo re ,by thi s e x ampl e ,th at

 m ,g e l] T HE SCIENCE T RU T H 2 37
'

OE
‘

C. v .
.

t he O ld G re e k sy s t e m d e fi ni ti on by G e nus
of

and e s s e nt i al di ffe r e nc e , an d by s e l e c t i ng s uch

t e rms , as may b e p ut i n t o an or di nary g ram s

matic al s e nt e nc e , is u t te rly i nad e q uat e t o

e xp r e s s wh at all w e ll i nfor me d me n, mod e rn
-

phy s i ol ogi s t s , and mod e rn m e t aphy s ici ans ,

m e an and un d e rs tand by s uch ab s t rac t t e rm s
as life an d mi nd .

We mus t dig d e e p e r and g o t o the roo t s

and
f ac tor s of Our k nowl e dg e , t o t he I nd e

c ompo sabl e t e rms , o rgani s at io n , ab s orp t io n,

s e cr e t io n , re p r od uc t i on , &c , b e fore w e h ave

.

any s e mbl anc e of a d e fi n i t i o n of w h at i s

r e ally m e ant ,am ong s t mod e rns , by the wo rd s ,

life and li vi ng t hi ng s .We mus t di s c us s and
und e rs t and wh at is m e ant by h uman E mo

t io ns , I nte llig e nc e , S e nt i me nt s or Will , b e fo re

w e h ave any s e mbl anc e of wh at i s r e ally

m e ant among s t us by t he w ord s M i n d and

h uman me nt al t hi ngs .

How c an w e arg ue ab out Mr Sp e nc e r s .

’

d e fi ni t i on, T he co nt i nuo us adj us t me nt of

i nt e rnal t o e x t e rnal re l at i ons which migh t
—

m e an the Fore ig n Offi c e und e r Lo rd Joh n

Rus s e ll or i nd e e d abo ut any o th e r of t he
—
 P HILOSOPHY ; OR,

gramm at ical d e fi ni tio ns which h av e b e e n giv e n

for life , s uch as Col e ridg e s Te nd e ncy t o
’ “

”
I ndivid uat i on, or Cuvi e r s Vo r te x , or
’ “

D r W h e w e ll s Co ns t ant For m of Gi rou

’ “
.

l ati ng M at t e r
.
”
We lo s e ,in s uch d e fi ni tion s ,
t he whol e fo rc e of th e t ho ugh t s of all t he

livi ng mo t io ns and ac t i ons di s cov e re d b y P hy

s iol og is t s ,an d co mp re h e nd e d und e r our word

Wh e n,howe v e r ,w e r e ach the m at e ri al and

fund ame nt al f ac tor s of Life , t he like ne s s e s
of livi ng t hi ng s t augh t us by phy s i ology ,t he

o rganizat i on, the ab s o rp t i on, t he as s imil a

t io n, t h e s e c re t io ns , an d t he r e s t , w e c an,

t o s om e e x t e nt , c omp ar e the ab s o rp t io n of
a livi ng body wi th t he s o c all e d ab s orp t io n

of a livi ng mi nd , and s o on . A re t he ab
s orp t io ns of a livi ng body an d of a livi ng

mind t he s ame ? Th e n w e p e rc e ive t h at the

s upp os e d lik e ne ss i s not id e nt i t y , b ut t he

m e re analogy of h uman l ang uage , ri s i ng t o

and t e achi ng the high e r b y m e ans of the
low e r ; and our co nvic tion b e com e s co nfirme d
t h at b ody and mInd are not t he s am e , t h at

the high e r h um an mi nd has no ki nd of i de n

 THE SCIENCE OF T RU T H . 2 39

t i ty wi th the pri ncipl e of natural life in the

livi ng mat t e r of a bodily b e i ng B ody has a
.

life and mi nd has a life ,b ut the t w o li ve s are

not i n any w ay t he s ame or id e nt ic al ,or c on

n e c t e d by grow th . T he anal ogy i s a v e rb al

lik e ne s s ,not an id e ntic al s ame ne s s ,a like ne ss
of which w e ne e d n ot b e afraid ; s e e i ng t h at

w e h ave t he high e s t aut h ori t y for it s us e ;

the Life is mor e t h an m e at —

I am the b re ad
of Life —
t he w or ds t h at I s p e ak un t o y ou
”
t h e y are L e , t h e Life of th e Mi nd
if .

Some of the sam e mat e ri ali s t ic p hil os o

h rs who se e k t o co nfo un d life and mi nd ,
p e

al s o lo s e t h e m s e lv e s In t h e c onfus i on bf c aus e

and l aw a co nfus io n of m uch O ld e r d at e ,

and for which w e migh t go b ack t o t he phi

l OS Op hy O f G re e c e .

Le t us al s o s ho rtly gl anc e at t hi s Ol d
ue s t i on of t h e wo rld b e i ng a m achi ne a
q
—

conc o urs e of at om s , which wo und t h e ms e lv e s

u p at t he fi r s t , an d h av e e v e r S i nc e be e n
r unni ng dow n or up ,s om e migh t s ay ,acco rd
ing t o law , wi t h no ac t i ve , livi ng G ov e rnor
wh ate v e r,no MIND p e rp e t ually p re s e nt
2 40 PHILOSOPHY ; OR [ C .

CH A P TE R IX .

L AW A N D C AU S E .

C n oCaus e
( 1 T he Caus e ,P lur ali ty f
o aus e s ,

at all T he mi nd of man,as I h av e
id ,is a '

.
—
sa

t ri ni ty iiI uni ty ,a p rod uc t O f t h re e fac t ors

E mo tio n, I nt e ll e c t , and Will ; an e mo t io nal

mi nd and an i nt e ll e c t ual mi nd , s h are d t o
s ome e x t e nt wi t h t h e low e r an im al s But ,
.

al as ! t he nob l e fre e will , t h e h oly mi nd or

h um an s e lf g ov e rnor,is de fi l e d and d e b as e d ,
-

an anomaly in nat ure Emo tio ns re pre s e nt

.

P ow e r ; i nt e ll e c t , Wi s d om ; and will , Good

ne s s .

Thi s d e grad e d fre e will of Man d e ad whil e

i t s e e m s t o l iv e , is i t s e lf the p rod uc t of a r

numb e r of di s t i nc t fac ul t i e s , wh e n w e t hi nk
 C . xx , § l .
] THE SCIE NCE OF T RU T H .

of it as ;the h high
r e as one r r
t ate as o n which
pl ac e s man ab ove the re s t of the ani mal c re a
t io n .T he h uman will has al s o ,at l e as t ,t h re e
fac t ors lov e ,v e ne rat io n,and j us t ice M an s
— .
’

will is a ch ao s , which re quire s the movi ng of

t he S pi ri t of God on i t s t e mp e s t uo us w at e rs

t o r e s t o re or re d e e m it , and t o re d uc e it t o

ligh t, ord e r, and t ruthfulne s s .

I am not w ri t i ng a t re at i s e on m e t aphy s ic s
or on t he h uman mi nd ,b ut am d e s ir ous of

s howi ng t he w a t o t h e fir s t s t e p in P hil os o
y
S ophic t r ut h the o nly w ay ,as I conc e iv e , in
—

which me n c an com e t o s om e prop e r s ci e ntific

con ve ntio n abo ut t he w ord s t h e y us e ,in o rd e r
t o arriv e at s om e SCIe nt ifi c c e rt ai nt y on phi

l OSOp hic al s ubj e c t s .

T h e att e mp t t o co nfo und l aw and c aus e is

c e rtai nly one of t he mo s t c urio us at t e mp t s
co ntai ne d in al l t he hi s t o ry of t he fall e n mi nd
of man, t o ig no re his Cre at or , and t o hid e

t he nak e d ne s s of his r e b e ll io n und e r a c on

fus ion of wo rd s .

H e re , as in all l ang uag e s and amo ng s t all

me n,a fal s i ty ne v e r s how s its fac e It w rap s
.

i ts e lf up in a wrap ras c al p arc e l of w o rds ,

”

M
242 PHILOSOPHY OR, [ C
. 1x , 1
.

as Col e ridg e sa s
y lo oki ng bo th w ay s at onc e ,
—

hidi ng its co nfus i on and co nt radic tio n in t he

fold s of the cloak Le t us e x ami ne t hi s
.

clo ak ! “
T he unifo r mi ty i n t he s uc c e ss i on
of e v e nt s othe r w i s e c all e d th e Law of Cau
” 1
s at io n
. Or t ak e t he foll owi ng Caus at io n, “

in our vi e w of i t , n ot b e i ng f undame ntally

di ffe re nt fro m or de r i n ti me 2
S uch e x .
”

p re s s i ons , w e s ay ,afford a clo ak of word s , out

of which ,in due t im e , t o d e v e l op wh at Mr .

Mill c all s t he Fund ame nt al e rror of Ba c on, ”

”
viz ,. ov e rl ooki ng P l urali ty of Caus e s for
one ph e no me non ;
”
s o co nt rary , he s ay s ,

t o al l w e n ow k n ow of nat ure Until at

l as t , w e ac t ually are t old , t h at T he ph e no “

me n on of which he [B ac on] s ough t for t he

one c aus e ,has oft e ne s t n o c aus e at all And
wh e n it has , d e p e nd s , as far as hithe rt q
as c e rt ai ne d , on an unas s ig nabl e var i e t
y of
” 3
di s ti nc t ca us e s !
H e re , t h e n, is t he c onc l us IOn an ac t ual —

h e nome non , wi t h a p l ur ali ty o f c aus e s or no

p

1 “
L ogi c, v ol . n , . p . 104 .

2
Ib id,v ol ii ,p 133
. . . .

3
Ib id, vol ii ,p 3 18
. . . .
C. Ix .
, T HE SCIENCE OF T RU T H . 43

c aus e at a ll ! or a v ari e ty of di s tinc t c aus e s ,

which y ou pl e as e
Now , a pl urali ty of c aus e s may me an wh at
I s ho ul d c all a c o mp oun d c ause ,b ut a var i e ty
of di s t i n c t c aus e s mus t m e an v ari abl e c aus e s

for t he s ame e ffe c t But a ph e no me no n W i t h

.

n o c aus e at all ! Th at i nd e e d mus t b e a p he

n ome non wo rthy of philo s ophic e x ami nat io n ,

by a phil os oph e r who s e ts out by s ayi ng th at

wo rd s in his wo rk s hall alway s b e s pok e n of
t he n am e s of t hi ngs t h e m s e lv e s A
“
as .

t hi ng i t se lf, c all e d a ph e no me n o n, prod uc e d

”

by no c aus e at all
One s firs t fe e li ng ,on coll at i ng t h e s e word s
’

of Mr Mill ,is t o l augh at t he ab s ur di t y o f

.

t he farc e ; t he s e co nd fe e li ng is t o g ri e v e at

the t rag e dy of a nobl e i nt e ll e c t co nfus e d an d

be wild e re d b y i ts ow n w or ds on the mos t im

p or t ant s ubj e c t t h at c an e ng age t he at t e nt i on
of a rat io nal b e i ng !

If Ord e r in Ti me b e not fund ame nt ally

“

di ffe re nt from Caus atio n, t h e n the p he nome

”

n on wi t h no c aus e mus t h av e b e e n b e for e

t i me b e g an ,an d n ot in t he d ay s of B aco n If
it had n o c ause at al l ,i t w as the Fi rs t Caus e
M2
2 44 PHILOSOPHY ; OR , 1
[C .
°

i t s e lf ! But i t is idl e t o di s c us s the po s s ibl e

m e ani ng s of Mr Mill s word s , whi c h are
.
’

e vid e nt ly ab s ur d , an d in t h e m s e lv e s s e lf
co nt radic t o ry I f t hi ngs h av e e v e n an orde r
.

in t i me , t h e y c anno t b e in di s ord e r ; if a
t hi ng w as a ph e nom e no n in t he d ay s of
'

B aco n,it c annot h av e b e e n wi tho ut an ant e

c e d e nt in o r d e r of t i me , or wi t ho ut a c aus e
at al l ! on Mr Mill s ow n vi e w of c aus at io n
’
. .

In s ho rt , a unifo r mi ty w i t ho ut unifo rmi t y is

a s i mpl e ab s ur di t y or s e lf co nt radic t io n
-
.

It is e vid e n t ,upo n t he fac e of Mr Mill s

’
.

” ”
own w ord s t h at o rd e r in t im e , c aus e “

and
“
l aw , h av e no s ig nific at io n, no fi x e d

m e ani ng wh at e ve r, in Mr M ill s mi nd or
.
’

i nt e lle c t ,if w e c an j udge of th at mi nd and

i nt e ll e c t by the w ord s he us e s He c an t hi nk
.

a l aw n o l aw ; a c aus e n o c aus e ; a unifor mi t y

n ot unifor m ; an d a co nse q ue nt s om e t i me s

w it li, and s om e t im e s wi t ho ut , an ant e c e d e nt !

His mi nd s e e ms a ch ao s on the s ubj e c t of

c aus ati on, ut t e rly co nfus e d and s e lf c ont ra -

dic t ory . But Mr M ill s e e m s ,t o me , e nt i tl e d

.

t o t he c re di t of more c andidly di s cl os i ng his

co nfus io n t h an s om e o th e r wri t e rs , if he will

O Ix ,
. . THE SCIENCE OF T RU TH . 245

e xc us e a complim e nt t o his co ns ci e nc e ,at t he

e xp e ns e of his v e rb al un d e r s t andi ng
1
.

While corre cting this s h e e t,the We s tmins te r Re vie w fo

1
r

Ap il ,18 6 1,h a come to h an d ,and th e fir st a t icl e ,th at on

r s r

M r Ki ng l e y
. E ssay on Histo y, affo d a good illus
s
’
s
“
r
”
r s

t ation of t h e u tte r confusi on Of th ou gh t ,th e n o me ani n g

r -

of ad an ce d t hin k e rs
v on th e ubj e c t of L aw T he s .

r e vie we r h as n o me anin g wh ate v e fo t h e w o d L aw ,b ut r r r

alw ays c onn ote t o L aw th e v a i ou ubj e c t on which l aw s

s r s s s

ar e known Th u s, h e ays , w h o doe s n ot se e th at th e ” “

. s

L aw of G avi tati on and th e L aw of th e D e calogu e a e ide a

r r s

which h ave little more in common th an th e oun d of an s

organ and t h e oun d of a c odfi h ? e v ide nt l y c onn ot ing

s s —

th e ide as of G avi tati on an d of th e D e cal ogu e t o t h e w o d

r r

L aw An d o th ough out th e art icl e h e p e t e n d to an we

. s r r s s r

Mr King l e y, b y te llin g him t h at L aw is n ot C au se ;

. s
“ ”

an d th e n qu ote M r Mill de fi nit ion of C au sat i on ,which

s
’
s

v i ,th e simm
.

ac t u ally c onfoun d s C ause wit h L aw st of —

z . e

al l l aw s A nte c e de nt and C on e qu e nt , or o de r in s r

Time , oth e wise c all e d th e L aw of Cau ation !

r s
”

L aw i t he p odu ct of W o d and O de r ,an d all l aw ar e

s r r r s

or de r ly w or ds l aid d own b y l awye rs an d l awgi ve s ; an d s o, r

th e L aws of Grav it ation a e or de ly wo d f om t h e writ ings r r r s r

of N e wt on ; t h e L aws of t he D e cal og ue ar e orde l y wo d s r r

f om the wri tings of Mos e s ; the L aws of P opu l at ion ar e

r

or de l y w o ds f om w ite rs on P op ul at ion, 810

r r r T he r .

que stion be twe e n Mr Kin gsl e y, wh ose e ssay I h ave n ot .

r e ad ,and t h e Re vie we ,se e m t o b e wh e th e law of human r s r s

his tory a e to b e found in the l aw of min d or th e l aw of

r s s

matte M B uckl e ,and se lf dubbe d advan ce d think e s

r. r .
-
r
”

in ge n e al ,o mod e n mate ri ali ts , a I u n de t an d t h e m,

r r r s s rs

conte n d for th e latte , and Mr King l y,appar ntly,c on r . s e e

te n d s fo th e fo me ,in i tin g on n ot confoun di n g p

r r r on s s s e rs

an d t hin gs Mr B u ckl e t hink , or ath e ay ,Spe akin g

. . s r r s s

from my me mo y of his w o k ,t h at phy si c al fac ts ar e t h e

r r

c aus e s of h u man his tor y ; wh e e as I w ou ld conte n d th at r

human minds are the c aus e s of h uman hi s tory and th at

 P HILOSOPHY ; OR , [ C
. 1x ,
§ a

Le t if w e c an, t ry and cl e ar up a li t tl e
us ,

t hi s ve ry anci e nt at t e mp t t o co nfound t wo s uc h

cl e ar and di s t i nc t th ough t s as l aw an d c aus e ,

and t o re d uc e t he univ e r s e t o a mac h ine or a
‘

co nc ourse of at om s ,to a Law wi tho ut a s up e r

i nt e nding Caus e .

( 2 . A C a u s e a t L aw an d i n N a tu r e

Le t us t ak e t he l aw y e r s us e of t he wo rd s ,
’ ‘ ” “

'

Law and Caus e ,and e x ami ne i t in t he fi rs t

pl ac e .

A c ause at l aw is an ac ti on b e t w e e n a
pl ai nti ff and d e fe nd ant T he pl ai nt iff co me s
.

fi rs t and the d e fe n d ant co me s afte r ; and Wh e n

t h e y , th e p art i e s , ar e bo t h pr e s e n t t og e t h e r,

t h e re is a l e g al h ubb ub in S hort , a fe w
—

WORD S b e t w e e n th e m ; and t he c ause com e s

i nt o c ourt b e fore a j udg e ,an ad mi tt e d p os
se s s or of a c e rt ai n amo unt of p ow e r , wi s d om

and good ne s s . Th e j udg e ap pli e s or lay s

down th e l aw in wo rd s ,and the h urlyb urly of
t he c aus e is at an e nd ; the pl ai nt i ff an d de
fe nd ant s i nk i nt o th e ir ne w pos i t i ons in p e ac e ,

phy ic al facts are not the cau e s,b ut th e l imit or re stric

s s s

t i on u p on h uman p owe
s rs u p on t h h uman mind ,
e

ve y i mp ort ant t o k n ow,b ut n ot Caus e s L imit

r s .
 T HE SCIENC E OF T RU T H . 47

and t he c aus e is at an e nd,and has b e

l aw -

c ome , i n l awy e r phr as e ,a law c a e , l aid b y

- s

for fut ure r e fe r e nc e J us t as w e p ut a bo ok i n

.

our b ook c as e , good and b ad ; s o w e p ut our

-

l aw c as e s r e gi s t e re d al t oge th e r t ill w e w ant

the m . Th e re fore , w e hav e a l aw c aus e , t he
p rod uc t of P ar ti e s x Ac t i on x ( p owe r, w is
dom , and good ne s s ) e ndi ng in a l aw c as e .

But w e h av e s e e n ,ante , p 2 2 8 ,t h at mi n d is a
.

p rod uct of pow e r, wi s do m, and g ood ne s s ,in

g re ate r or l e s s d e ve l opm e nt Th e re fo re , a
.

c aus e e qual s or is t he p rod uc t of P art ie s x

Ac t io n x Mi nd ; and t he t hi ng p rod uc e d is
a c as e of l aw or l aw c as e Th us t he l awy e rs ,
“

at al l e v e nt s , m e an by c ause , a t hi ng c om

pos e d of p ar ti e s , ac ti on, and mi nd, p ro

d uc ing an efi e c t or ne w ar rang e m e nt of t hi ng s
p

and p art i e s ,c all e d a l aw poi n t or l aw c as e .

T he c aus e e nd s in a c as e ; t he U in t he wo rd ,
t h e h ubb ub , or m ut ual ac ti o n of t he p ar t i e s ,

h avi ng b e e n s e t t l e d and e xcl ud e d by the

P ow e r of t he j udg e .

Now ,I s ay t h at ,n ot o nly al l l awy e rs ,b ut

all E ngli s hm e n com mo nly use t he wo r d Cause .

in t hi s m anne r ,viz ,as a co nfus e d ac ti o n of

.
2 48 PHILO SOP HY ; O R, [C. lx .
,§ 2 .

p arti e s s e ttle d by t he P owe r of Mi nd S uppo s e ,

.

t h e re for e , t h at in pl ac e of b ri ngi ng i nt o co ur t

a pl ai nt i ff an d d e fe nd ant , t w o p e rs o ns , w e

bro ugh t i nt o co ur t an acid and an alk ali ,t w o

t hi ng s , or an e l e c t ric c urr e nt and s o me w at er,

in s hort , any ac t i ve t hi ng s , or t hi ng s in ac t i
vi ty ; and a h ubb ub follow s be t w e e n t h e m ,

ac t io n and r e ac t io n,e n di ng in a ne ut r al s al t in

t he fi rs t c as e , and t w o g as e s in t he oth e r , or

s om e o t h e r e ffe c t or co ns e q ue nc e of t he ac t io n

in e ve ry c as e . We ll ! the c aus e b e gins ,p ro

c e e ds , and e nd s ; and in pl ac e of an acid and

an alk ali , w e h av e a n e ut ral s al t ,or, in p l ac e

of w at e r, w e h av e t w o g as e s ,or at the e nd
of t he ac t io n an d re ac t io n w e h av e s o me ot h e r

co ns e que nc e ; w e h av e ,in s ho rt,in e ve ry c as e ,

a c as e of ch e mic al l aw . We t h us h av e tw o
or more l aw poi nt s ,or l aw c as e s i n c he ml s t ry .

We ll , t h e n ! is t he di ffe re nc e v e ry s tartli ng ,
or, m t r ut h , is t h e re any di ffe re nc e wh at e v e r

t o our h um an appre h e ns io n b e t w e e n t he Law

r s and t he Ch e mi st s use o f t he wo r d Caus e ?

’ ’

y e

Two or more t hi ngs or p articl e s ,not mi nd s or

p e rs ons ,co me ,or are p ut t og e th e r, and t h e re
e ns ue s a h ubb ub or h urlyb urly b e t we e n t h e m ,
c . 1x ,
. THE SC IEN C E OF T RU T H . 49

which w e do not in the l e as t unde rs tand ,b ut

which w e c all a caus e , or ant e c e d e nt ,and it
e n d s in an e ffe c t or co ns e ue nt , a c as e of
q
nat ur al l aw . An d t he ch e mi s t or nat ural phi
l os op he r e nd e avo urs t o pick out t he l aw of t he
c h e mi s t ry c as e ,j us t as a l awy e r in his chamb e r s

e nd e av o urs t o e t at t h e l aw of his l aw c as e
g .

In t he one c as e w e h av e p e r s ons in ac t i on,in

t he o t h e r c as e w e h ave t hi ng s in ac t i vi t y .

Th i s is th e pl ai n uns ophi s t ic at e d t r uth , and

e v e ry E ngli s hm an s o s p e ak s , and v e rb ally

ad mi t s it ,w h e n he us e s t h e w or d Caus e .

N ow ,I h ave c e r t ai nl y y e t t o l e arn,why w e
E ngli s h me n are t o us e the wo r d caus e in any
oth e r se nse ,in t h e c ou rt s of n at ural philo

S ophy , t h an w e d o in t he co urt s of our

co unt ry ; or why w e are t o l e av e t he pow e r,
wi s d om, and good ne s s of t he j udg e out of
co urt in t he one c as e and n ot in t he o t h e r .

For my p ar t , I will n ot l e av e it out t ill

s om e s uffici e nt r e as on b e gi ve n ; and, t h e re

fo re , in t he c aus e b e t w e e n the acid and t he

alk ali , or e l e c t r ici t y and w at e r , or an o t h
y e r

c aus e i n n at ural hil OS O h ,] re fe r th e c ons e

p p y
que nt , t he ne ut ral s al t , or the t w o g as e s ,t o
M 5
250 PHILOSOPHY O R, [ C
. 1x .
,§ 2 .

t he due and p rop e r applic at io n of P owe r or

mi nd by the S up re m e Om nipo te nt J udge ,b y
H i ms e lf or His ag e nt s , unive rs all y p re s e nt in
Co urt ; j us t as I re fe r t he fi nal arrang e me nt
b e t w e e n pl ai nt i ff and d e fe nd ant at W e st
mi ns te r t o t he applic at io n of p ow e r or mi nd
by t he j udg e s t h e re , and e nd e avo ur , by
s e archi ng and e x ami ni ng al l t he ci rc um

s t anc e s fr o m t he b e gi nni ng O f t he c aus e t o

t he e n d of it , t o fi nd out t he l aw which the

a ut ho ri t i e s m us t r e as o nabl h a v e i nt e n d e d t o
y
l ay dow n .

I c ann o t re fe r t o the j udg e hi ms e lf in t he

one c as e or t he o th e r ; b ut I c an if I choo se ,

i n bo t h c as e s , s tart a ne w an d s i mil ar c aus e ,

or t ry t o do s o i n ord e r t o h e ar a ne w and

mo re l ucid j udgme nt if po s s ibl e .

T he advan t ag e which nat ural philo s ophy

has o ve r t he pr ac t ic e O f th e l aw is , t h at y ou
are m or e s ure of not re c e ivi ng diffe re nt ans w e rs

t o the s ame q ue s t i on in th e one c as e t h an 111

t he o th e r ; b ut how Caus e c an b e c onfound e d

wi th Law , or how an an t e c e d e nt or forme r

s t at e of t hi ng s c an b e co nfoun d e d wi t h t he

l aw or d e ad rul e accordi ng t o which t he livi ng

 C. Ix ,
. T HE S C IE NC E OF T RU TH . 25 1

powe r,wi s dom,or good ne s s of t he j udge ,p ro

d uc e s a ne w s t at e of t he s am e t hi ng s ; or how
Caus e c an b e co nfo und e d wi th Suc c e s s Ion In
.

Ti me ,app e ars t o me amo s t s urpri s i ng ab us e

of wo rd s .

Caus e is ,p art i e s ,ac t io n,Mind .

E ffe c t is , p ar t i e s ,ne w arrange me nt .

And Law i s the ve r b al e xp re ss io n or r ul e

which the j udg e l ay s down, or which the
lawy e r or th e loc ke r on ad op ts in o r d e r t o
-

e xp re s s t h e ch ang e which has t ak e n pl ac e ,

d e vi s e d by his j udg me nt from t he fac t s of

t he wh o l e c aus e ,c are fully e x ami ne d fro m t he
b e gi nni ng t o the e nd Law is w or ds in or de r
. .

Lawy e rs mi s i nt e rp re t c as e s , and s o do
nat ural philo s oph e rs . It is O ft e n ne e d ful at
l aw t o g o and s e arch t he re c ord s of an Ol d
c aus e t o fi nd w ho al l t he p art i e s w e re , and
wh e t h e r th e re w e re not s ome ot h e r p art i e s
t h an t h os e me n ti one d i n t he re p or t s ,i n o rd e r

t o acc ount for t he s t rang e c oncl us i on . But it

wo uld b e a mos t s urp ri s i ng e ffo rt of r e as on,
w e c ame t o t he co n cl us i on t h at t he j udg e had

l e ft t he co urt , and t h at the j udg me nt p ro

c e e de d wi tho ut him , and th at the c aus e w as
252 PHILOSOPHY ; OR , [ C .
§
1x , 2 .

l d by
s e tt e the p ar t i e s e ndi ng t h e ir di ffe re nc e
acco rdi ng t o t he clock at We s t mi ns t e r ,t h at
is t o s ay , by or de r 272 t i me , or t o s s i ng up
which s ho uld go firs t , and which l as t , or
e ndi ng in a ph e nom e no n wi t h n o c aus e at
“

al l A co nse q ue n t wi tho ut an ante c e d e nt !

We s ay , t h e re fo re , th at in t he co ur ts of
nat ure t he J udg e is alw ay s p re s e nt wh e ne v e r

a c aus e e nd s in a c as e of nat ural l aw . And

w e s ay t h at a l aw of nat ure is m e re ly our

w or ds t o t ry and e xpl ai n t o o urs e lv e s t he

re as on of t he c aus e e ndi ng in an e ffe c t or

c ase of the l aw Wh e n w e are p uzzl e d , w e
.

t ry , if p oss ibl e ,t o p ut t he p ar ti e s or p ar ti c le s

t o the q ue s t io n, as B aco n r e com me nd e d . We

t ak e th e m s e p arat e ly ,and, if po s s ibl e ,crucify

t h e m t ill t h e y t e ll us t h e i r whol e hi s to ry ,and

how th e y c ame , and wh at th e y wo uld do in

o th e r c i rc um s tanc e s , and wh e th e r t h e y are
S i ngl e or d oubl e ,and s o forth , and t urn th e m
ro und and ro und , and b ackward s and for
w ard s ,and i ns id e out , i f p os s ibl e , b ot h while
t he c aus e p roc e e d s , and b e fo re i t b e gi ns , and

aft e r it e nd s , an d w e r e gi s t e r e v e ry ans w e r

t h e y giv e us ; and, wi tho ut do u b t,the Gre at ,

C. rx ,. T HE S C IE NC E OF T RU T H .

and All
p ow e rful ,and All w is e , and All g ood
- - o

J udg e in t he Co urt s of N at ure , app rov e s of

man s s e archi ng di s po s i t io n
’
.He s ay s , My “

s on, e t wi s do m !
”
g
E x t e rnal nat ure w as i nt e nd e d t o ro us e our
s l uggi s h s pi r i t , t o e l e v at e us fro m t he pl e a

s ure s of s e ns e t o t he pl e as ure s of i nt e ll e c t ,

and from th e pl e as ure s of i nt e ll e c t t o th e

gl ori e s of t h at Di vi ne g ood ne s s w hich is di mly

sh adow e d i n t he b e s t fe e li ng s of manki n d .But
wh at p oss ibl e e xc us e is th e re for any man who

admi ts t he e xi s t e nc e of an Omnip ot e nt God,t o

h id e t hi s pl ai n s t ate Of the c as e wi t h o rd e r
in t i me , and
”
. t he unifo rmi t y of t he s ucc e s

s io n of e ve nt s ; and , as it w e re , t o us e t he

v e ry g oodne s s ,and cl e arne s s ,and c e rt ai nty of

God s l aw ,as a r e as o n for t urni ng the j udge
’ ’

out of his own co urt , in the d e ci s io n of the

c aus e b e t w e e n his ow n s ubj e c t s , his ow n cre a

t io ns ,his ow n p art icl e s of matt e r ?

N ow,how is t hi s ab s urdi ty att e mp t e d t o b e

s uppo rt e d ? firs t by s h uffl ing c aus e ; which do e s
of ne c e s s i ty , accordi ng t o all E ngli s h us age ,
imply comp ound p arti e s , and s om e ac t i on b e
t w e e n t h e m ,i nt o a s i ng le ante c e de n t ; and s e
254 PHILOSOPHY ; OR , [ C
. Ix ,
.
§ 2 .

c ondly , by s h uffli ng t he ne w s tat e Of the p ar

t i e s wh e n the c ause is co ncl ud e d , al s o i nt o a

s i ngl e c ons e ue n t, and c alli ng t hi s ne w s t at e

q
of p art i e s ,t h e fe c t of t he fi rs t s t at e j
ef us t as

if thi s ne w arrang e me nt w as e ffe c te d wi tho ut

an
y me n tal p ow e r o r i n t e rfe r e nc e wh a t e v e r ,
as if arrang e me n ts w e re mad e by bli nd ar
p
t ic l e s of n on t hi nki ng t hi ng s of t h e i r ow n
-

acc ord , and acc ordi ng t o t he mo s t b e aut iful ,

s ubli me ,and s ub t l e l aw s t h at man c an co nc e iv e

i n his l oft i e s t mi nd ,and e x p re s s in i nt e lligibl e

wo rd s and s ymbol s !
H ow e ve r,if mat e ri ali s tic philo s oph e rs choo s e
t o us e t he wo rd Caus e i n a m ann e r diffe re nt

from all Engli shm e n, w ho und e rs t an d b y

c aus e , an ac t io n b e t w e e n t w o Or mo re p e r
‘

s o ns , and t h e nc e by analogy , t rans fe r it t o

ac t io n an d re ac t i on b e t w e e n t w o or m or e

e x t e rnal t hi ng s or p ar t icl e s , and c ons id e r

c aus e as an ac t i on b e t we e n t w o or more
t hi ng s e n di ng , in b ot h c as e s , in s o me n e w

arrang e me n t of p e r s ons or t hi ng s , by t he fi at

of a po w e rful ,wi s e , or g ood J udg e , t h e y are

b ound t o giv e us s ome cl e ar and i nt e lligibl e

n e w me ani ng for t h e O ld w or d c aus e . Wh at
c . 1x ,
. T HE S C IE NC E OF T RU T H . 255

p rod uc e s the t ho ugh t of c ause in t h e i r mi nd

i n s h ort , if i t b e not as I s ay , t h e p rod uct of
ar t ie s , ac ti on , mi n d, e n di ng i a ne w
p n

ar rang e me n t of t h e p art i e s , t he p e rs ons , or

t hi ng s , c all e d t he l aw c as e ; e i th e r t h e muni

c ip al l aw c as e , or t he nat ural l aw c as e , or t he

mo ral l aw c as e : w h at do t h e y me an ? Can
t h e s e phil os oph e rs gi ve usany me ani ng wi th out

b e i ng s e lf co nt radic t ory as ab ove , lik e Mr

-
.

Mill and c an th e y avoid t alki ng O f a c ons e

?

q ue nt which had no ant e c e d e nt , i e , a p he . .

n ome non wi t h n o c aus e at all , or of

”
o rd e r
in n o or de r at al l , i e , a var i e ty of
. .

di s t i nc t c aus e s for t he s ame e ffe c t We are not

.

b ound t o giv e up our pl ai n E ngli s h wo rd s for

s e lf co nt rad ic t o ry t ras h of t h at ki n d ,e ve n on
-

t h e aut ho ri ty of su ch a g re at logici an and

philo s oph e r as Mr Mill . .

A r ume n t B
)(T3f f
i e In r a D i
g g . ut t he —

mo s t amus i ng e xc us e of s ome of t h e s e phil o

S oph e rs w ho p rop os e Gre at J udge
t o t ur n t he

of t he U ni ve rs e out of his ow n nat ural c ourt ,

and t o mak e c aus e s b e t w e e n t hi ng s d e cid e

t h e m s e lv e s by or d e r in t i me , or t he clock at

G re e nwich Ob se rv at o ry ,and wi tho ut His p re

95 6 PHILOSOPHY ; OR , § 3 .

c
s e n e , and ac tio n, an d pow e r , is wh at may

b e c all e d t he i n f r a di .
g arg um e nt . It i s ,in

s hor t , b e ne at h His i mpo rt anc e ; it is i nfr a

dig for t he Gre at J udg e t o b e c all e d in t o
.

d e cid e a q ue s t io n b e t we e n an acid and an ,

al kali , or t w o at o ms of m at t e r . In s h or t ,
l e t us s p e ak i t wi t h r e v e re nc e , He m us t
b e t oo o us
g t o at t e nd t o s uch a m ul t iplici t y of

t ri fl e s as w e fro m h abi t t hi nk the wond rous l aws

and O p e rat io ns of n a t ure in t he me ane s t p ar

t ic l e s O f mat t e r W h at a w re t ch e d s h uffle
t hi s i s , t o t ry an d hid e G od s p ar ti c ular p ro
’

vi de nc e , Hi s omnip re s e nc e ,and o mni s ci e nc e ;

and in t h ough t t o t ry and e xcl ud e H im fro m

t hi s w ond rous uni ve r s e which He has cr e at e d ,

an d now s us t ai ns at e ve r mom e nt in e ve r
y y
p art icl e In s h or t , thi s c onfus i on of Cans e
.

and Law s e e ms a m e re O pi nio n, fo und e d on

a p e r s o nal di s lik e t o the t ho ugh t of G od s

’

p art ic ul ar provid e nc e , t o G od s o mni s ci e nc e ,

’

an d t o His om nip re s e nc e . We ak and wick e d

man s t ri ve s t o t hick e n the v ail t h at s e p a
rat e s hi m from his M ak e r , and wo uld rat h e r

t hi nk of t hi s uni ve rs e as a g re at clock wo und

u
p by a w at ch m a k e r , an d t h e n m anki nd an d
 THE S C IE NC E OF T R UT H . 257

al l l e ft to wo rk i tse lf down, fre e from all

r e s ons i b i li t t o any B e i ng ; b ut , of co urse ,
p y
l e avi ng t he origi nal mak e r of th e w at ch
r e s po ns ible for al l i rre g ul ari ti e s Th at s e e m s
?

t he wh ol e s e c re t , and t he wh ol e re as o n t h at

e xi s t s for c onfo undi ng l aw and c aus e . P hi

lo s oph e rs not o nly di s lik e t o ack nowl e dg e
t he fre e will O f man,and his fall , and j us t

p uni s hm e nt , b ut wo uld , if p os s ibl e , conc e al

fro m t h e m s e lv e s God s om nip re s e nc e an d om
’

nis c ie nc e , His D ivi ne ar t i c u lar P r o vid e nc e

p
O p e rat i ng in th e m e ane s t p art icl e s of mat t e r .

H ow e ve r, w e s h all c onti nue t o h old ,bo t h

in t he l aw s of nat ure and in t h e l aw s of man,
th at Caus e is the p r od uc t of p ar ti e s , ac ti on,
and Mi nd ; and t h at L aw is t h e ve r b al r ule or

or de r lai d dorvn , t he p rod uc t of w or ds and

or de r , which b ri ng s , v e rb ally , the Ol d s t at e

of p art i e s i nt o th e n e w ar rang e me nt . Th e re
are v e ry m any c aus e s i n nat ur e of which w e

are ig no ran t ; b ut our b us i ne s s i s t o s e arch

for the fi rs t or ante c e de nt ar r ang e me nt O f

‘

t he p ar t i e s or t hi ng s co nc e rne d , and t h e nc e

t o fi nd s ome ve r b al r ule wh ich will re d uc e

t h e m t o the ne w or c ons e q ue n t ar r ang e me nt .

258 PHILOSOPHY ; OR , [ C
. 1x ,
§ 4 .

T he o rd e r and t he unifor mi ty are a p art of

t he l aw ,t h at is of our ve r b al e x r e s s i on of i t ,
p
and not an p a rt of t he c aus e , or of t he
y .

e ffe c t
. But al l our di s cov e ri e s are s t ill o nly
h uman word s O ur v e rb al e xp re ss io n of the
.

l aw mus t , of c ours e , b e ord e rl y and uniform,

or i t is n o law at all ; i e , not b y u s l aid

. .

dow n p rop e rly for an i nte llig e nt c re ature t o

und e rs t and. AS s oon, ho w e ve r,as t he J udg e
i s ad mi t t e d t o b e alw ay s in co ur t ,and nothi ng
t oo me an for His at t e nt io n, all o t h e r d iffic ul

t i e s will vani s h from t he d e vo ut an d c ons c ie n

t io us mi nd , an d h e will s e e k t he l aw s of

nat ure w i t h t h at fai t hful h umili ty and r e v e r

e nc e which are mo s t fi t t e d t o e nabl e us t o

di s c ov e r wh at is bo t h t rue and us e ful .

P antb e i s ti c al Obj e c tions

—
But s om e
poo r b e wild e re d mo rtal may po s s ibly e xcl ai m,
Why thi s is P ant h e i s m ! Is God in e v e ry
p ar ticl e of m at t e r, and in e ve ry ac t io n and
r e ac t io n t h at t ak e s pl ac e b e t w e e n e v e ry t w o

or m ore p e t ty p art icl e s ? T o which I ans w e r

Is the J udg e at W e s t mi ns t e r i n tb c p ar ti e s
t o t h e c aus e , or mix e d up wi t h t h e i r s q uabbl e s ,

w hich h e s e t tl e s and d e t e r mi ne s ? N o ! We ll ,
C . Ix ,. THE S C IE NC E OF TR UT H . 95 9

t h e n ,w hy are we to su
pp os e /

an
y ch folly
su

in a nat ura l c aus e , or a nat ural ac t io n T he

pow e r, and wi s d om, and g ood ne s s of t he
J udg e are not in the p articl e s of mat t e r, b ut
e v e rywh e re , O p e rat i ng an d e n for ci ng g ood ,

w i s e and pow e rful l aw s , and only j us t as l ong

as He t hi nk s fi t ; b ut t he J udg e H im s e lf is
'

Mi nd , not mat t e r,nor i n any m at t e r P an .

t h e i s m is as ab s urd , an d as s e lf co n t radic t ory -

as P an A t h e i s m
-
Thi s is o nly , as w e have s o
.

oft e n s aid ,t he c on s t ant O ld s hift or S h uffl e b e

t w e e n t h e folly of mat e ri ali s m and t h e folly

of dog mat ic id e ali s m Wh e n d ri ve n from

.

one re fug e , th e d e fe at e d philo s oph e r fli e s t o

ano t h e r e q ually ab s ur d .

Th us ,h ow e ve r, w e are n ot oblig e d t o us e
t he wo rd c aus e in t w o s e ns e s , or in n one at

al l . T he anal ogy b e t w e e n p e rs o ns an d t hi ng s ,
b e t w e e n p arti e s and p art s ,b e tw e e n mi nd s and
bodi e s , is p e rfe c t t h ro ugho ut ,b ut t h e y c annot
b e c onfound e d I f t he d e vout mi n d will b ut
.

alw ay s re me mb er , w ho t h e G re at J udg e , by

wh os e l aws , di s c ov e re d and l aid dow n by man

i n h uman wo rd s , all c aus e s b e tw e e n m at e ri al
t hi ng s and t h e i r p art s and p art icl e s are ;
2 60 PHILO SOPHY ; OR [ C. 1x ,
§ 5 .

s e tt el d , he will b e in t he b e s t fram e of mi nd
t o di s c ov e r t he t r ue s t ve r b al e xpre s s io n for

t h os e l aw s ,aft e r h e has c ar e full y e x ami ne d a

c aus e or c ase of nat ural l aw But if y ou p e r .

s i s t ,l ik e a child , in as k ing for s o me ve r b al

e xp re s s io n for wh at ou a n d I c a nn o t und e r
y
s t and , I c an b ut fall b ack on t he ve r bal
e xp re ss io n r e ve al e d t o Mo s e s i n t he i nfanc o f
y
m an s m oral e d uc at i on , and s ay , that t he
’

S pi ri t of God mov e s on t he fac e of the e arth ,

and is e v e r re ady t o e nt e r t he ch ao s of h uman

fre e will , and t o s ay , l e t t h e re b e ligh t , t o

t he h umbl e and p e ni t e nt s e arch e r for t h e

ligh t of T ruth If y e ,th e n,b e i ng e vil ,k no w

.
“

h ow t o gi ve good gift s unt o yo ur child re n ;

how much m ore s h all y o ur H e av e nly Fath e r
”
gi ve the H oly Spi ri t t o t h e m t h at ask H im .

F undame n tal D iffe r e nc e s and Mr .

M i ll . I h av e no t ol e rat i on for f als e w or ds ,

and do n t wi s h t o h av e any I f I thi nk t h e m

’
.
”

e vil mal e fac t o rs , I d e s i re t o cr ucify th e m

wi t h t he t ruth It is s uch wo rd s as s t ric tly

.

” “ ”
s p e aki ng , n ot fund am e n t ally di ffe re nt , &c , .

which s uffic e t o b affle an i nt e ll e c t e ve n as

pow e rful as t h at of Mr Mill ! Wh at c an a
.
 T HE C
S CIE N E OF T RU T H .

logici an m e an by s uch t ras h ? Wh at is

Mr Mill s no t io n of a fund am e nt and wh at
.
’
?

amou nt s t o a diffe re nc e ? Is a fund ame nt al

di ffe re nc e the s ame as a di ffe re n ti al fund a
m e nt ? H ow c an me n s p e ak s uch folly ,and
make it applic abl e e v e n t o t he Fi rs t Caus e ;
t h at fir s t E mo t i on or ac t iv e Caus e in th e D ivi ne

Mi nd t h at w e as s ume t o h av e p rod uc e d all

t hi ng s ? Ord e r in t i me is not fund ame nt ally
diffe re nt from c aus at io n Why , t hi s admi ts
a di vr e nc e , and s ay s i t is not fund ame n t al
f

j .

D o e s fund am e nt al me an t o f oun d a me n t al - -

tb i ng up on ,or fi n d a m e nt al t hi ng for
- ? W e ll ,
if he c anno t foun d a me nt al t hi ng upo n the
di ffe re nc e ,and y e t admi t s t h e re is a di ffe re nce ,
he s ho uld admi t his ig noranc e ,and not c all
t w o di ffe re nt t hi ng s by t he s ame n am e T he .

s ucc e s s i on of e v e nt s , othe r w i s e c alle d t h e l aw

of c aus at i on N igh t the c aus e of d ay , day t he

c aus e of nigh t ! E v e ry fi rs t the caus e of e v e ry

s e co n d ! and e v e ry s e co n d t h e c aus e of e v e ry

t hird ! and s o on ; any amo unt of ab s ur di t y

r at h e r t h an co nfe s s I g n o ranc e , a n d b e com e

h umbl e Now , is it t h at Mr Mill c annot

.
-

f o u n d , o r c ann o t fi ,n d a m e n t al t hi ng ; a n d
 PHILOSOPHY ; OR, [ C 1x.
,§ 5 .

not b e i ng abl e t o fi nd or fo und , thi nk s him

s e lf e n t i t l e d t o c on oun d o rd e r in t i me wi t h
f
c aus e , th ough he k now s and admit s t h at he
k now s th e m t o b e differ e n t ? Wh e n he ne x t
un d e rtak e s t o e nligh t e n t h e wo rld ab out s uch

t hi ng s as c aus e s and g e ne ral wo rd s , I t rus t

he will h av e fo und a Mi nd , a fund ame nt al

t hi ng in e ve ry c aus e ; and g e ne ral wo rd s ,

which , s t ric tly s p e aki ng , alrvag s have s o me

s ig nific at i on, and will b e abl e t o us e t h e m t o

b e tt e r p urp os e t h an t o man ufac t ure l ang uag e

c alc ul ate d t o mi s l e ad me n of w e ak e r int e ll e c t
t h an hi ms e lf, an d t o e xcl ud e t he Cre at or

fro m the Unive rs e He has mad e .

1

1
Mill and hi L ogic,and w oul d
He re Itak e my l e av e of M r . s

d o o wi t h e s p e c t an d e te e m if it w e
s r on ly fo h i E ay on
s re r s ss

L ib e rty ,and it affe cting p e face I t u t th at th e m mory

s r . r s e

of t h e l o e of t h e c e atu
v may l e ad hi mi n d mo e an d more
r re s r

u pw a d t o t h e l o e of t h e C
r at o ,wh o e l aw
v an d wh o ere r s s s

t u t h h av e ,in my opin i on , b e e n ou t age d by t h e w o ds in

r r r

t hi C h ap t e
s e ma k e d u p on
r r O n ome ot h e r occ a ion I
r . s s

may , p e h ap , con id r h i p olit ic al p a alle l b e t we e n t h e

r s s e s r

d e ath of S oc ate an d th e de ath of J u ! But wh e n h e h as

r s es s

mo e ca e fully c on ide e d th e t ue ign ific ation of w or ds ,I

r r s r r s

t u t t h at h e may b e mo e e ady t o admi t t h at t h e t ut h of

r s r r r

a mo al e e l at i on in w or d i n ot only a t hin g po ibl e ,b u t

r r v s s ss

a thi n g ac t u al ; t h at h e may fe l mo all y t h e d e e p t u t h an d

e r r

wi sd om of th at H olyB ook which mak e the pu e love of man s r

fo w oman t h high e t typ e of t h l o e of God fo man ,h i

r e s e v r s

f ie n d : and th at a b ook t h at p e te nd e d t o b a r e ve l ati on

r r e
C . m, T HE SCIENCE OF T RUT H . 2 63

Wor ks Wor ds Efi c i e nt and

an d —

F or mal Caus e s W e t h us h av e di s c us s e d
—

s h ortly l aw an d c aus e , by r e d uci ng t h e s e

w ord s t o t h e i r fac t o rs ; and hOp e that if any

re ad e r , who in t i me s p as t , has foun d his mi n d

i n any wi s e b e wild e re d b e t we e n f or mal c aus e s ,

-

an d e c i e n t c aus e s ,and mor al c aus e s and fin al

fi
c aus e s , will c an didly re ad o v e r and co ns id e r

t h e ve rb al s ol ut i on which we h av e giv e n ,he

will di s c ov e r t h at it is a p athw ay cl e ar and

di s t inc t ac ros s the w e ary w ild e rne s s of w ord s ,
t h r o ugh which e ve n gr e at phil os oph e rs h ave

vai nly e n d e avo ure d t o p as s , i n t he s e t t l e m e nt

of thi s q ue s t i on ; an d t h at he will ack nowl e dg e

t h at our e xpl anat io n i s one which c an b e re n

d e re d t h rougho ut p e rfe c tly cl e ar and inte ll i

ib l O f c o urs e i t d e p e n d s on our as s ump t io n
g e .

t h at t he wo rd Caus e is a p rod uc t of p art i e s ,

ac t i on,j udg e ; or in e x t e rnal nat ure , t hi ng s ,

ac t i on ,Mi nd , i e , t h e mi nd of God ,wh e n e v e r

. .

from God , and which did not ope nly de cl a th at which t o re

man min d c an on ly b e e p nt d a God ab olu te f e e

’ ’
s r re se e s s s r

wil l , o , as w e mu t ay , in e fe e n c to man igno ant

r s s r r e
’
s r

min d , God c ap ic , i e ,Hi igh t t o a t in a w ay unin

”
’
s r e . s r c

te l l ig i b l e t o man high t a on ,w ould h ave c arr i d on it

’
s es re s e s

fac e a cl e ar an d manif t p oof t h at u ch a es ve l ation di d

r s re

n ot c ome fr om th e I nfi nite A ut h or of this U n ive r e s .

2 64 PHILOSOPHY OR [ C . xx , § 6 .

we re fe r t o e x te r nal nat ure ,s ubj e c t t o H im .

It of co urs e as s um e s t h at th e re is o nly one

m e ani ng for t he wo rd c ause , and it adh e re s
t o t h at m e ani ng t h ro ugho ut ,and s how s t h at

in his mo s t o rdi nary l ang uag e man s t ill c on

fe s s e s the M ak e r who m h e s om e t im e s wi sh e s
t o d e ny . Wh e n the t hing s b e co me m e ntal
t hi ng s , i e , h um an p e rs o ns , and the ac ti on
. .

b e com e s h um an wo rd s ,and t he mi nd b e c om e s
a j udg e at We s t mi ns t e r,w e h av e a c aus e at

W e s t mi ns t e r ; b ut wh e n t he thi ng s are e x
t e rnal b odi e s or p ar t icl e s , and t he ac ti on not

t h e w or ds of p e r s ons b ut t he w or ks of p ar

t ic l e s , an d th e mi nd b e com e s t he Cre at o r of

t h e univ e r s e , t h e n t he c aus e b e com e s a c aus e

In N at ure .

But ,on t he one h and ,t o co nfo und the mi nd

of t he univ e rs e w i t h t he wor k of p art icl e s of

m at t e r, is , we s ay , m e re s up e rs ti t io n and
idol at ry ; and,on the o th e r,t o d e ny His p re
s e nc e i n e v e ry nat u ral c aus e , in e v e ry ac tio n

of e v e ry p art icl e of m att e r, is t o d e ny His

om nip re s e nc e ,om ni sc i enc e ,and p owe r The re

.

i s not a h ai r of our h e ad s t h at is not num

b e re d Th e re is not a s p arrow fall s to t he
.
C . m, T HE SCIENCE OF T RU TH . 65

g round b ut by His will ; not on e of th e m is

“
forgo t t e n b e fore God . Th e re is not a
p art icl e of mat t e r which w ork s or op e rat e s
b ut by his e xp re s s k n owl e dg e , p e rmi s s io n,
p ow e r,and will Oh ! t h at all me n w ould s e e
.

and ack nowl e dg e t hi s t r ut h of a D i vi ne ar

p
t ic ul ar P r ovid e nc e , a t rut h as far r e mov e d

from s up e rs t i t i on and id ol at ry as it is from

i nfid e li ty and bl as ph e my !
T he re ad e r may h ave p e rc e iv e d t h at I h ave ,
in t he p re c e di ng di s c us s io n of l aw and c aus e ,
as s u me d t he wo r d ac ti on as s ome i nde c om o
p
s abl e t ho ugh t , s uffi c ie nt ly und e rs t ood an d

r e c o ms e d
g a m ong st m anki n d , wh e t h e r i t

r e fe rs t o ac t i ons of p e rs o ns or ac t i ons of

t hi ng s . An ac t i on of p e rs o ns at l aw is a
b undl e of w or ds of me n ; an ac t io n of e x
t e rnal bodi e s in nat ural l aw i s a b undl e of

w or ks of p art icl e s or nat ural t hi ng s .We

t h us are j us tly c omp e ll abl e t o s t at e t he dif

fe re nc e b e t we e n w or ks and w or ds .

T he w or ds t h at I s p e ak unt o y ou t h e y are
s pi ri t an d t h e y are life , s aid J e s us Th ough
.

e b e li e v e n ot me , b e li e v e t he w or ks t h at I
y
.
do . Or, for e x ampl e ,w h e n J e s us ,l ook ing
 PH ILOSOPHY OR, [C
. 1x ,
.
§ 6 .

u
p to h e av e n , s igh e d an d s a id ,
“
L a z ar u s
,
c ome as He s a i ng word s or doi ng
”
f o r th ! w y
wo rk s ?

Wh at e ve r t hy b e li e f may b e , re ad e r, thy
w ord s are t hi ne ow n al one the w or ks of t hy
l ary n x and t hy t o ng ue , or of thy p e n wo rk e d
by t hy arm ; or of thi ne e y e s and body ,mov e d
by t hy mi nd an d ad op t e d by thy will Wo rd s .

are t he w ork s of mi nd , an d w ork s are t he

w or ds of b odi e s . Fro m our th re e cl as s e s of

mi nd s ,b odi e s , and wo rd s ,in ord e r t o di s t i n
g ui s h t he ve rb al ac t i ons O f mi nd s w e c all t h e m
w or ds ; t o m ark ,as i t w e re ,t he v e rb al ac t io ns

of bodi e s mov e d by mi n d s ot h e r t h an m an s ,
’

w e c all t h e m w or ks . Wo rk s are t h e re fore

t he ac t i ons of b odi e s , an d w ord s are t he

ac t i ons of mi n d s ! A wo rd of man is an
ac ti on of man s mi nd , p rod uci ng an ac t io n of
’

h is l ary n x and t o ng ue , or of his arm and p e n ,

and ad op t e d an d ack nowl e dg e d by t he mi nd .

In our origi nal co nc e p t io n of K nowl e dg e

as t he p r od uc t of mi n d , t hi ng s , and w or d s

( an te , p. w or
”
d w as m o r e p r op e r t h an

ac t i on, b e c ause an ac t i on d oe s not b e c ome

t he s ubj e c t of k nowl e dg e unt il i t has r e c e iv e d

 C . 1x , T HE SCIENCE OF T RU TH , 2 67

a na me and b e c ome a w or d . Wh e n an ac t io n
has c e i ve d a name , t h e n alo ne c an It
re fo rm a
p art or fac tor in h uman k nowl e dg e Le t .

t h e se fe w s e nt e nc e s s uffic e t o p re v e nt t he c avil

which migh t o t h e rwi s e h av e b e e n rai s e d on

our us e of t he w or d ac t io n, t o i ncl ud e bo t h

wo rd s and wo rk s .

We are not w ri t i ng a t re at i se on the th e ory

of grow t h or d e v e lop me nt e n t e rt ai ne d by

t ho se philo s oph e rs w ho e nd e avo ur t o c onfo un d

life wi t h mi nd ,and law wi t h c ause ; b ut are
e n d e avo uri ng t o S h ow how t r ut h and c e rt ai nt y

are to b e b e t t e r arr iv e d at by me ans of our

w or ds , viz , by fixi ng and ag re e i ng t o fix t he

.

f ac tor s which
g o t o p rod uc e t h e ab s t rac t

wo rd s w e di s c uss ,in pl ac e of t he old G re e k

l Og ic of a d e fi ni t i on But i t is v e ry wo r t hy
.

t o he r e mark e d ,in r e fe re nc e t o life and mi nd ,

and l aw an d c aus e , t h at t h e re is a P r ovid e nc e

which r ule s man s w ord s ,and s e e ms t o m ak e

’

it i mp os s ibl e t o e s t abli s h e rror wi tho ut our

w o rd s b e c omi ng t h e m s e lv e s s e lf c on t radic t o ry ,
-

and b e t rayi ng t he fal s i ty T r ut h is one and

.

s i mpl e ,and s o c om me nd s i t se lf t o t he av e rag e

of manki nd w ho e nac t t he l aw s of l ang uage

N 2
 PHIL OSOPHY ; OR, [ C. 1x , § 6 .

in o rdi nary mat t e rs , t h at w ord s ,in the l ong

r un, t e n d t o co r r e c t t h e ms e lv e s b t h v ry
y e e

i nc ons i s t e nci e s of t h at s e lfi s h fre e will from

w hich t h e i r e r ror s p roc e e d. Me n mak e id ol s
of s o me v e rb al t rut h s e e n in the p art i al and

On e S id e d gl as s of t h e i r ow n mi nd , and s e t i t
-

up as c oncl us iv e ag ai ns t God s t r uth , which

’

i ncl ude s al l t h at is v e rb ally t rue in the h uman

idol .

Th us , for e x ampl e , the s ame cl as s of phi

l OSOp he rS an d morali s t s w ho s t ruggl e t o c on
foun d life and mi nd , and l aw and c aus e ; who
s e e m t o d e s i re t o re mov e t he p ri mary E x

is t e nc e t o an i nfi ni t e di s tanc e fro m the affai rs

of t he w orld and of man ; w ho s e e k t o p rov e

s o me re e s t abli s h e d h armony
”
p
-
o f g row t h ,

wh e re by the d e ad mat t e r of a fi re mi s t g re w
i nt o a pl ane t , and i nt o a pl ant , and i nto a
p rot oz oon, and from a p ro t oz oo n d e v e l op e d
i nt o t he mi nd of a S oc rat e s or a P l at o , ac
c ordi ng t o l aw ,are ,for the mo s t p art ,i ncli ne d
t o d e ny t h at d uri ng t he co untl e s s ag e s which

t h e y as s ume t o h av e p asse d S i nc e t he fi rs t

fi at of t he l aw of nat ure w as e nac t e d , any

C . 1x , T HE SCIENCE OF T RUT H . 69

s u se b q ue nt fi at of l aw , or,in S ho rt,any s uc

c e e d in
g mi r ac le h ave
c an e ve r occ urre d
.

But is it not p as s i ng s t rang e ,nay ,c ont radic

t o ry an d ab s urd ,t h at me n,who c an b e li e v e in,

and e n d e avo ur t o e s t abli s h s o me l aw of g rowt h ,

w hich is abl e t o p rod uc e out of an i nfi ni t e s im al

g e rm fl oati ng i n wat e r ,the mi nd of a S oc rat e s

and t he t hi nki ng of a P l at o ,s h ould b e li e v e and

as s e rt t h at t he s am e , or s o me o th e r , l aw of
”
g r ow th co uld not p os s ibly p rod uc e , fi ve
“

h und re d y e ars l at e r, wh at w e Ch ri s t i ans t e rm -

r

t he mi rac ul ous bi r th O f a B e i ng or a s pi ri t

s p e io
u r r to m a f o
n r m m
t e w o b o a vi rgi n
h f ?

How utt e rly s e lf co nt radic t ory and inc onsi s

-

t e nt , w e Say ,m us t b e t h at mi nd which e nt e r

t ai ns as po s s ibl e t hi s mo ns t rous h y po th e s i s of

t h e g r ow t h of S ocrat e s out of a lich e n or

p ro t ozoo n , and hold s it as not o nly p os s i ble ,

b ut in s o me d e g re e c r e di b le an d p rob abl e ;
and y e t ,at the s ame t i me ,t urn s r o un d and t e ll s

u s , al ong wi t h th e i nv e nt ors of th e ab s ol ut e

religi on , and o th e r s e lf d ubb e d advanc e d

_
-

t hi nk e rs of t he p re s e n t day ,t h at a mi racl e is
n ot po s s ibl e , an d i nv ol ve s a Cont radic ti o n
”
!
I f l aw co uld e v olv e t he mind of a P lat o or
 PHILOSOPHY OR , [C. 1x ,
get

S oc rat e s out of a mo nad or p rot ozoon ,e v e n

wi t h a r udi me nt ary e y e , w hy s ho uld not
“ ”

s o me s uch law fi ve h und re d y e ars l at e r,e volv e

a J e s us , a S pi ri t , much m ore pow e rful , and

abl e t o t e ach manki nd a s t ill high e r life ; an d

t o d e ve lop i n man a s t ill high e r mi n d w hy

?

not a B e i ng , a man wi t h a S pi ri t , as m uch

s up e rio r t o S oc rat e s and his d e mo n, as S o

c rat e s w as s up e ri or t o a m on ad or p rotoz oon ?

why not a B e i ng ,abl e of his ow n m e r e Will

t o m odify and co nt rol al l i nfe rio r l aw s of

de ad or li vi ng mat t e r, or t o s us p e n d t h e m
al t og e t h e r , j us t as t he life of any ani mal s us

p e nd s the i nfe rio r l aw s of ch e mic al affi ni ty .

Is not e v e ry life a s us p e ns io n of t he l aw s of
m e re d e ad m at t e r and w hy are w e t o s t o p
?

s hort wi t h t h e li e of S oc rat e s , and n ot

f g o

forw ar d at l e as t in p os s ibili ty , t o t he re
‘

cord e d life of J e s us , and t o t he L ife Et e rnal

w hich he offe r e d an d p ro mi s e d ?

I f mi nd ,as t h e s e adv anc e d t hi nke rs p re

t e nd ,g re w out of mat t e r,why may not S pi ri t

grow out of mi nd If d e ad m at t e r gre w i nto

?

li vi ng m at te r,and t h e n g ot up and walk e d ,and

r e as one d as a man which b e c ame a S oc rat e s ,
C.
tx .
,g s .
) THE S CIENCE OF T RU T H .

why S h ould not li ving man at a l at e r pe riod

g row i nt o a J e s us ,a S pi ri t abl e t o rai s e and
r i s i ng fr om t h e d e ad ? Ab s urd as mo s t of us
t hi nk t he o rigi nal h y po t h e s i s , s ure w e ar e ,

t h at for the s ame mi n d t o e nt e rt ai n t h at h y po

t h e s i s as po ss ibl e , and t h e n t o d e ny t he
“

pos s ibili t y of t he miracl e s of S c rip t ure is a

se lf c ont radic t io n s t ill mor e ab s ur d t h an the
-

hypo th e s i s i t s e lf But t he t ruth i s ,t h at t h e s e

.

ad vanc e d t hi nk e rs S i mply c onfoun d analog y

wi th g row t h E x t e rn al nat ure w as , d oub t

.

l e s s ,i nte nd e d t o l e ad man upw ard s , t o e d uc at e

”

him for tho s e high e r p urp os e s t o which , in

s ome fut ure s t ag e of e xi s t e nc e h is p ow e rs
may b e ad ap t e d In my . Fat h e r s h ous e
“ ’

are m an m ans io ns T h e u n iv e rs e i s wid e

y .

e nough t o w or t hil
y e mplo y t h e high e s t fac ul

t i e s O f al l God s h umbl e childr e n,e v e n t ho ugh

' ’

e ach r e q uir e d a pl an e t t o hi ms e lf .

But mi n d and m at t e r are , and m us t e v e r

"

r e mai n t o man wholly s e p arat e and di s t i nc t ,

”

an d h e c anno t co nfo un d t h e m wi t h out s e lf

c ont r adic t io n ; and t he co nfus i on of Life , and

Mi nd , and of Law and C ause are m e re
clo ud y co nt ri vanc e s t o hid e t hi s s e lf c on -
2 72 PHILOSOPHY ; OR , [ C
. 1x , § 6 .

t radic t ion . M at te r is the i ns t rum e nt of

mi nd , and e ve ry man who s p e ak s , is at s o me
t i me or oth e r co mp e ll e d t o ad mi t and ac

k nowl e dge thi s t ruth ,in o rd e r t o di s t i ng ui s h

b e t w e e n hi ms e lf and his body , b e t w e e n the
e g o and t he n on e o, b e t w e e n t he p art of
g
hi ms e lf w hich c an b e , and the p ar t which
c annot b e s e p arate d fro m co ns ci ous ne s s and
c ons ci e nc e Th e re is that s ome thi ng ,and the
.

man who s ay s i t is mat te r ,me re ly d e s i re s t o

c all A and not A b y t he s ame name in t he
-

s ame di s c us s i on In s ho rt , h e is a l ogic al
.

s h uffl e r
. He may d o thi s unc ons ci ous ly ,and
oft e n do e s s o t h rough b ad h abi t ; mo re oft e n

p e rh ap s t h ro ugh b ad h abi ts of t hi nki ng , th an

t h r o ugh any co n s cio us di s ho ne s ty of mi nd ;

b ut t he fac t re mai ns ,and c annot b e g ains ay e d,

t h at m at e ri ali s m and P an t h e i s m are m e r e

ve rb al s h uffl e s ; an e nd e avo ur t o c all the

t hi nki ng t hi ng and t he n on thi nki ng t hi ng by

-

t h e s ame word .

I f any man admi t s t h at t h e re is a t hi nki ng

t hi ng , and al s o a n on t hi nki ng t hi ng , t h e n
-

h e is a m e re v e rb al ShufH e r if he i s a ma

t e rial is t or a P an t h e i s t But of co urs e he

.
c . 1x ,
. THE SCIENCE OF T RU T H . 273

may b e su bj e c t to wh at we ord may Call w

bli nd ne s s ,and may b e ,and ought t o b e in th at

c as e ,an obj e c t of affe ct io nat e pi ty for s uch a
d e p ri vat i on of ligh t I f the ligh t t h at b e
.
“

w i t hi n b e d ark ne s s ,how g re at is t h at d ark

ne s s . W e c an, or o ugh t in s uch c ase , t o

”

pi ty and p ray for him .

But t h e re mus t alw ay s b e many me n al s o ,

w h o hold i n co ns i s t e n t opi ni on s ; me n in who m

mo ral fe e li ng s are s up e ri or t o t h e i r l ogic al in

s t inc t Th e s e me n will ad mi t the p re mi s e s ,
.

or not b e abl e t o s e e t h e m w ay out of t he p re

mi s e s ,b ut y e t will re fus e t o d raw t he l ogic al

co ncl us io n, b e c aus e it c ont radic t s th e i r mo ral
se ns e We wi s h t o s p e ak wi t h s i nc e re re s p e c t
.

of al l t h r e e , wh e n w e s ay , t h at Sir Joh n

H e rs ch e l s e e ms t o us t o s t an d in t hi s p os i t i on
b e t we e n Dr Wh e w e ll and Mr Mill He t h row s
. . .

t h e w e igh t of his aut ho ri t y fi rs t i nt o t h e s c al e

of Mr Mill s p r e mi s e s and l ogic al p ri ncipl e s ,

’

an d t h e n, aft e rw ard s , i nt o the s c al e of D r .

Wh e w e ll s c oncl us io ns We did not happ e n

’
.

t o me e t wi t h his ob s e rvat i ons t ill t hi s e s s ay

w as w ri t t e n ; b ut w e c anno t re co ncil e ligh t and

d ark ne ss on autho ri ty We c anno t do b e t te r

.

N 5
27 4
9 PHILOSOPHY OR , [ C . 1x ,§ 7 2

h
t an co ncl ud e t hi s ch ap t e r, by re fe rri ng t o
w h at Sir J H e rs ch e l s ay s
. .

S ir J He r s c he l on L aw and Caus e , and

.

In duc ti on a nd D e duc ti on —
Wh e n it is s aid b y
t hi s g re at as t ro no me r ,c on fi rmi ng s om e of Mr .

Mill s l ogic al l uc ub ratio ns , t h at t he inve s

’

t ig at i on of t r uth is t o b e di s t i ng ui s h e d from

t he m e re i n t e rpre t at i on of a fo rmul a
”
. Th at
all t r ut h is O b t ai ne d by re as oni ng from p ar i -

t ic ulars t o p ar t ic ul ar s ; in S ho rt ,by i nd uc t i on,

or by B aco ni an , rat h e r t h an b y A ri s t ot e l e an

logic We ans w e r S i mply th at it is not ,and w e

.

h ave v e nt ure d t o t ak e i s s ue on t hi s l ogic al

q ue s tio n,and s ay t h at no t ru th wh ate ve r c an
he ar riv e d at by i nd uc tio n or arg ui ng , from
p artic ulars t o p art ic ul ars ; t h at it is c on
foundi ng tr uth wi t h c onv e ni e nc e and uti li ty
'

t o c all co ncl us io ns by i n d uc t i on t r ut h s .

It may s ui t lo os e t alk e rs , and r ul e of t h umb

p rac tici ans ,t o s p e ak of i nduc ti ve tr uths ; b ut
tr uth is t oo high an d p ure a wo rd t o b e t h us

co nfound e d w it h t h at i nd uc t iv e g ue s s w ork ,
which s o me new and m ore c are ful Ob s e rvat i on
or e xp e rim e nt may at any t im e ov e rt urn and

blo w t o the wi nd s as a fal s i ty And w e say

.
 C . 1x , THE SCIENCE OF T RU T H . 5

h
t at all t ut r h is the s t ric t i nt e rp re t at io n of a
formul a, and t h at our c e rtai nty d e p e nd s al t o
e t h e r on t h e c e rt ai n t y of the o ri i nal axio m
g g s

and p ri n ci ple s from which t he t rut h c an b e

s t ric tly de duc e d . It is ,w e s ay , co nfoun di ng

t r uth and e rr o r,t o co nfo un d t h e s e t w o t hi ng s ,

d e d uc t i ve t r ut h s , which are ne c e s s arily t rue ,

if t he p rin cipl e s or fi rs t as s ump t io ns from
which t h e y are d e d uc e d , are t rue an d ne c e s
s ary ; wi t h i n d uc t iv e g ue s s wo rk ,t h ough s uch

gue s s wo rk is ve ry fre q ue ntly c all e d i nd uc t i ve

t r ut h s D o w e t h e re fore u nd e rv al ue i nd uc
.

t i on , or t he B aco ni an me t h od of i nv e s t ig at i ng

t he wo nd e rs of t he univ e rs e ? w e s ay nay !

we r at h e r e s t abli s h i t , by p l ac mg it on i ts

p rop e r found at io n, as me re ly p r ovi s i on al e sc

l anati ons, t ill b e t t e r c an b e d e vi s e d an d oh
p
s e rve d ; t h us e nc ouragi ng the ut mo s t c are ,

an d e x ami n at i on ,an d ob s e rv at i on, and e x p e

ri me nt , n ot only at fi rs t , b u t ove r and ov e r

ag ai n . We s ay t h at i t is ab s ur d and in
c ons i s t e nt , and unwo rt hy of a phil os oph e r
and as t ron ome r, t o c all i n d uc t i on t he inv e s

t ig at ion of t r uth , and at the s ame t i me t o

”
,

s ay , th at i t mus t b e at onc e admi tte d that no

2 76 PHILOSOPHY ; OR .
[ C . xx ,
§ 7 .

c on c lus i on
f ro m i nduc ti ve r e as oni n
g,i . e , ro
.
f m
t he obs e r ve d t o the un ob s e r ve d, c an en
j oy

mor e than a p r ovi s i ona l s e c ur i t

y .
” 1
Wh at do
me n me an by tr ut h en j oyi ng a
p r ovi s i on a l
s e c ur i t ? t ru t h wi t h a r ovi s i onal s e c uri ty
y p
o nly t h at i s not t r uth at al l ; y e t t hi s is the

o nly ki nd of t ruth po ss e s s e d by e v e ry co ncl u

s io n, by i nd uc t i on, acco rdi ng t o bo t h Sir

J H e rs ch e l and Mr Mill It may do for

. . .

o rdi nary life and prac t ic al mat t e rs t o t alk in

t hi s l oos e manne r, b ut s ure l y it i s t im e t h at

s uch l ang uag e w as b ani s h e d from t he do mai ns

of s ci e nc e , and from t he w ri t i ng s of p hi los o

p h e rs C alli ng. s uch provi s io nal g ue s s wo rk

tr u t h,i s c onfo undi ng t ruth and fal s e ho od It .

i s a g ro s s ab us e of l ang uag e wh olly unwo rth y

‘

of s e arch e r s aft e r t ruth , and it l e ad s di re c tly

t o t h at mat e ri ali s t ic id ol wo rs hip which c on

found s l aw and c aus e ,and life and mi nd .

T he s am e g re at as t ro no me r who t h us , at
one t i me , l e nd s the s anc t io n of his high name

t o the ill ogic al t ras h co nt ai ne d in Mr Mill s

’
.

logic ,s p e aki ng of it as one of the g re at e s t

1
Sir J ohn H ch l
e rs e
’
s
“
E ay ,
ss s Re v ie w of Q ue te l e t ,
p . 366 .
 C . Ix , . T HE SCIENCE OF T RU T H .
77

s te ps y e t mad e in philo s ophy of l ogic ,

t he

al mos t a di s c ove ry , fe e l s as s t rongly as I do

t he S h ocki ng ab s ur di t i e s t o which i t l e ad s ,and

whil s t he is t h us d e l ud e d an d h oodwi nk e d by
t he v e rb al s kill of t h e l ogici an , y e t n e ve rt he

l e s s s t art s b ack from t he fi nal moral p re ci

pic e ,and rej e c ts t he ne c e s s ary co ncl us i on t o
which Mr Mill s phil os ophy and l ogic l e ad t he
.
’

r e as on He is pl e as e d wi t h the e l e vat i on by
.

Mr Mill , of t he idol Induc ti on , t h ough he

.

r e fus e s t o b e ab s ol ut e ly ch ai ne d t o it s c ar,
or t o t h row his ow n moral e xi s t e nc e b e ne at h

i t s wh e e l s We c annot , p e rh ap s , d o b e t t e r
.

t h an co ncl ud e wi t h Si r J H e rs ch e l s ow n ’

ob s e rvat i ons on an o t h e r c ommon, S h owi ng t he

h e s i tat io n of t he phil os oph e r, and the c onfu

s io n t h at h e fe e l s ab out t he w or d s law and

c aus e , at t he s ame t i me t h at h e r e j e c ts t he

i mmo ral c oncl us io n which w e h av e b e e n c on

t e n di ng ag ai ns t We did not me e t wi th his
.

ob s e r v at i on s t ill t hi s w ork w as w r i t t e n,b ut

t h e y affor d a full ap ol ogy and s at i s fac t ory

r e as on for at t e mp t i ng a c are ful analy s i s

of t he wid e s t of al l h um an g e ne raliz at i ons ,
”

of which Sir J H e rs ch e l cl e arly p e rc e i ve d

“
.
 2 78 PHILOSOPHY ; OR, [ C .

t he ne c e s s i ty ,
d s which c are ful and t ow ar

analy s i s w e t rus t w e h av e mad e in t hi s e s s ay ,

s o me fe w e ffe c t ual s t e p s .

He s ay s ,1

It i shigh time th at phil osoph e , b oth physical

at l e as t rs

an d ot h , h ou l d c o me rst o o m n
s a a g e m e n t t h an e s e e re r r e

app a t o p e ail a t o t h m an i ng t h y i n te n d t o c onv e y

e rs r v s e e e

in p akin g of C au
s e and C au ati on O n t h e on e h an d w e
se s s .

ar t old t h at t h e g an d
e bj e ct of phy ical inqui y is to e x r O s r

pl ain th ph nom n a of n at u by f ing th m t o th e ir

e e e re r e e rr e

Cau on t h e oth ,t h at t h e i nq ui y i n to c au
ses i al to
er r se s s

g the i n n d fu til ,and th at ci n c h a n o c onc n b ut

e r va a e s e e s er

with t h di co y of L aw W hich of th e e i th t uth

e s ve r s . s s e r

W hich v v i w w m y t ak , on e t hi ng i c tai n t he
e er e e a e s er —

e xt m i n c on ni e n c of uch a t at of l an g u ge
re e ve Thi e s s e a . s

c an only b e fo m d by a c e fu l an aly i
e r f t h e wid t of
r e ar s s O es

all h u man g n aliz t i on t bli hi n g a ati on al l a ifi

e er a s —
es a s r c ss

cati on an d n om ncl tu S l ong a u n ce t ainty in thi

e a re . O s r s

e p e ct i
r s u ff e d t o p e v il , o l ong will t hi
s s er u n e e mly r a s s s

cont adiction ub i t, and n ot on ly p j u dic th cau e of

r s s s re e e s

s ci n c in th ye of m nki nd ,b ut c e at di union of f e l
e e e e s a r e s e

ing ,an d gi e i e t o acc u at ion an d e c i min ation on t he

v r s s s r r s

s c o of p in cipl e mong it c ult i t o

re r a s va rs .

Th“
il I compl ain of b e c om y e t mo e g ie vou wh e n
e ev es r r s

t he ide a of L aw i b ou gh t o p omi n n t ly fo w a d ,a n ot s r s r e r r s

me e ly t o t h ow i nt o t h e b ckg ou n d t h at of c ause , b u t
r r a r

al mo t t o t h u t i t ou t of
s ie w altog th
r s a wh e n w e a v e er —
s re

t old ,fo ampl ,t h at t h

r ex u cc e iv app a an ce of ace of
e e s ss e e r r s

o g n i d b i g on
r a se a t h ,an d t h i r di app e a
e n s n c e t o gi e e r e s ra v

pl ac t o oth e r ,which g ology t ach e u ,i a e ult of ome

e s e e s s s r s s

ce tain law of d v lop m nt in i t ue of w hich n u nb ok n

r e e e v r a r e

ch ain of g ad u lly alt d o ganiz ation f om th e c y tal t o

r a
‘
ex e r r r s

t h gl ob u l , an d th n c t h ough u cc
e e iv tage of t he e e r s e ss e s s

p oly p u , t h mollu k , th in ct th fi h ,th e ptil ,the

s e s e se , e s re e

1
A dd re s s to B it i hr s A ss o ciatio
n, E says , p s . 6 74 .
C . 1x ,
gs ] T HE SCIENCE OF T RU TH . 279

bi d,an d the b e a t ,u p t o th monk y and th e m n ( n ay ,

r s e e a

fo au gh t w k n ow ,e n t o th e an g l) ,h
r e b n ,o e main ve e as ee r r s

to b e ol d S u ly,wh n w h a u ch a th e o y,t he
ev ve . re e e e r s r

n at u al h u man c a i n g aft
r c au ,capab l in om on
r v er se s e s e c

c e i ab l v w ay of gi i ng i
e t o u ch ch ang nd t
v n fo ma r se s es a ra s r

t ion of o g an an d i n t e ll c t
s r c au w hy t h e de lopme nt e —
s es ve

at diff n t pa t of it p og e
e re h ould diva ic t int o dif
r s s r r ss s r a e

fe e n t li n
r c aus ,atesal l e—
n t ,i n t e m e di t b
es t w n t h e ve s r a e e ee

s te p of t h e de v l op m n t
s b e com imp o tun at e A nd e —
es r e .

wh n n othing i off d to ti fy thi c a i g b ut loo e and

e s e re sa s s r v n s

v ag ue ef nc rt o f avour ab l
e re ci ums tan s of cli mat e ,
e e rc ce

food an d g ne al it uat ion ,which n o xp i n c h a

e r s e e er e e s ev r

s h own t o con t on p ci int o anoth , wh o i th e ve r e s e es er s er

w h o d oe n ot at onc p c i e t h at u ch a t h e o y i in n o
s e er e v s r s

re s p e c t mo xp lanato y th an th at wou ld b which imply

re e r e s

as e t d a mi acu l ou
s r e int ntion at r y ucc i te p s e r ve e ve r s e s s ve s

of t h at u nk n ow n i of n t ,b y which t h a th h a
se r e s e ve s e e r s

be e n al t nat ly pe opl d and di p opl d of it d niz n ?

er e e s e e s e e s

A l aw m y b a ul of ac tion,b u t it i n ot a tion T h e
“
a e r e s c .

G e at F i t A ge nt may l ay down a ul of action fo h im

r rs r e r

se lf,and t h at ul may b e c ome k nown t o man by ob e a

r e s rv

t i on of it u n ifo mity s b u t c on t itu t d a ou mi n d a e ,

r : s e s r s r

and h a in g t h at c on ciou
v knowl dge of cau ation which is s s e s

fo c d up on u by t h e e ality of th di t in ct ion b tw n in
r e s r e s e ee "

t n di n g a t hi n g and d oing it ,w e
e an n e v u b tit u te t h e c er s s

Rule for t h e Ac t E ithe di e ctly o th ough de l gat d . r r r r e e

age n cy ,wh at e t ake s pl ac i n ot me ly w i l l d b u t don

ve r e s re e e.

T h e t an iti on f om an inanimat c y tal t o a gl ob u l c a

r s r e r s e

p a b l e o f u ch n dl os g an ic and in t ll c t u al d
e l
e ss op m nt r e e e ve e

is as g e at a t p r a u n e x pl ai n d a on
s e a u n in t lligibl e
—
s e e —
s e

t o u ,an d ,in any h u man e n

s of t h w o d ,a mi a ulous s se e r s r c

a t h e i mm di at
s c e ation and in t odu ction up on arth of
e e r r e

e ve y p ci r an d
s e y i ndi idual wou ld b
es T ke t h e s e
e ve r v e . a

amazi ng fac t s of g ol ogy which w ay w will ,w e mu t ort

e e s re s

e l e whs t h an t o a m
e re p c ul at iv l aw of de ve l opm nt e re s e e e

fo t h e i e pl anat ion
”
r r x .

God in E ve ry thi ng b ut E vi l M i nds .

 PHILOSO P HY ; OR , IC .

§
1x , 8 .

We t rus t that w e h av e m ad e it ab und antly e vi

d e nt t h at it is a mo s t t rans p ar e nt ve rb al s h uffl e ,
t he us ual m at e ri ali s t ic s h uffl e ,t o at te mp t t o

co nfo und l aw wi th c aus e , and life wi t h mi nd .

T he o rdi nary us e of t h e w or d s cl e arly ac

k nowl e dg e s the di ffe re nc e of t he t hi ng s th e m
s e l ve s ; and t he me n w ho s t ri ve t o c onfoun d

t h e m, e i t h e r h ave n o me ani ng s w h at e ve r to

t h e i r w ord s , or are unabl e t o gi ve any i nt e l

l igibl e e xpl anat i on of t h e i r me ani ng s Th e y

.

S i mply d e s i re t o c all A and not A, by t he

-

s ame name in t he s ame di s c us s i on . We h av e

s h ow n t h at Mi n d is t he p rod uc t of p owe r ,

w i s dom,and g oodn e s s ; t h at Caus e is t he p ro

d uc t of p ar ti e s , ac ti on, and mi nd ; th at law

i s t he p rod uc t of w or ds and Or de r ,and t h e re
fo re , only our v e rb al rul e ad op t e d wi th p r ovi
s i ou al s e c ur i t unt il w e c an di s c ove r an d l a
y y
dow n a b e t t e r rul e ; an d t h at Life is the p ro
d uc t of all tho s e , at l e as t s e ve n unk nown and
my s t e ri ous wo rd s or ac ti ons s e t fort h in or d e r
at p ag e 2 15 , of all of which man i s p rofoun dly

ig noran t We c annot t e ll in t he l e as t why

.

any one s i ngl e li vi ng b e i ng s e l e c t s an d ab s orb s

t he food fi t t e d t o p rolo ng i t s life ; an d abs orp

C . 1x ,
§ s .
] T HE SCIENCE OF T RU T H . 28 1

ti on is o nly t he fi rs t and S i mpl e s t of t ho se

s e v e n li vi ng ac t i ons h avi ng not t he l e as t
r e fe re nc e wh at e v e r t o t h e p ow e r , wi s d om,and

g ood ne s s of the h uman mi nd .

We are , t h e re fore , by our ignoranc e , c om

e l l e d t o fi nd an d ack nowl e dg e G od i n e ve ry
p
t hi ng , li vi n g or n ot li vi n
”
g ,s ave o nly and e xc e p t
in t he wick e d , fall e n f r e e w i ll of SInful man ,
i n wick e d MINDS of which man i s one e x ampl e .

Th at is the s ol e e xc e p t i on k nown t o us ,wh e re

G od s p owe r, wi s d om, and g ood ne s s is not
’

uni ve rs ally di s pl ay e d , at e ve ry mome nt , an d

in e v e ry ac t i on or ac t of t hi ng s and b e i ng s .

Is t h e re any thi ng in t h e l e as t s up e rs t i t i ous in

s uch a vi e w of n at ure and of man ? We s ay
no ! It is t he d oc t ri ne of t he Bibl e and the
d oc t ri ne of t rue re as on In Him w e liv e and
.

mo ve , and h av e our b e i ng ; and t he mos t

w ort hy obj e c t of e ach man s e xi s t e nc e is t o
’

s t ri ve t o re s t o r e ,t h e D ivi ne I mag e ,t he K i ng

d om of God wi t hi n t h e h uman s oul s , fi rs t of

him s e lf and t h e n of all t h os e wi t hi n his ve rb al
i nfl ue nc e But wh at po s s i b l e re as on e xi s ts
.

for thi nki ng MAN t he only e vil M IND ?

28 2 PHILOSOPHY ; OR [ C . x .

CH A P T E R X .

C ONCLUSION T RU T H A ND NECESSI TY .

AS I l ook b ack ove r wh at I h ave w ri t t e n,in

ord e r t o c on cl ud e t hi s e s s ay on fi rs t p ri n ci

pl e s ; and t o tak e l e ave of th e re ad e r,wi th a

s h or t s ummar o f m v d o c t ri ne ; it app e ars t o
y
me , t h at t he wo r d s which will gi ve mo s t
offe nc e , an d t o s o me of t he mos t w orthy of

t ho s e r e ad e rs w h o h av e foll ow e d me t h us far,

i s t he p os i t i ve d e cl arat io n t h at al l t ruth
al l h uman t r ut h —
is v e rb al t rut h , word s and
n ot hi ng b ut W ORDS ! Rat h e r t h an b e li e v e
t h at , I h e ar s ome r e ad e r e xcl aim, ,I h ardly
” “

wi s h t o b e c on s id e re d on t he s ame s id e wi t h
t he auth or of t hi s B ook ! All h uman t rut h is
not ve rb al t r u th G e nt l e re ad e r, for if tho u
C . x .
] T HE SCIENCE OF T RU TH . 88

h as t re ad S O far as thi s p ag e of t hi s vol um e ,

wi tho ut b e i ng abl e t o cl e arly e xpl ai n t hi s
v e rb al p uzzl e t o y ours e lf, I fe e l co nvi nc e d t h at
t h ou ar t d e s t i ne d t o b e c ar ri e d t o t hy fat h e rs

in t he s h ap e of a yo ung or an ol d w oman , p o s

s ib l a s ci e nt ific old wo man G nt l r e ad e r ,

y e e

of wh at are w e s p e aki ng ? I f tho u art s o

fai t hful as t o s ay of God s t r uth ; I ans we r ’

w e ll ! And is not G od s t rut h , His moral ’

t r ut h co nt ai n e d , as I b e li e ve and s ay ,b e tw e e n

t he t w o bo ard s of a bo ok c all e d t he Bibl e ,i n

s o many w or ds , which g e nt l e an d S i mpl e an d

,
wi s e an d ig no ran t , are al mos t alik e abl e t o
un d e rs t an d , an d t o apply t o t he i mpr ove me n t

of t h e i r mo ral q uali t i e s ? Th at vol ume is l

j us t a vol ume of w or ds , for t he m os t p art

1
We h av e th e aut or t h iy
le a ning of th e B g ins of t h e r e

P ofe o of G e e k at Oxford,fo aying,th at which I mo t

r ss r r r s s

he art ily be lie ve , t h at the t h ough tful , inte llig nt, E ngli h e s

re ad ,wit h hi E n gli h Bibl e , and n ot hi n g

er s sl e , in h is e s

h and , an attain a accu ate and t h o ough u nd tan din g

s c s r r e rs

of t h m ani ng of t h e o igin al a t h e man wit h a oomfu l

e e r s r

of c omme n tat o Fo al mo t al l , o , in f c t , th wh ol e
rs . r s r a e

s ub tan ce of wh at w e k n ow ab ou t e it h e
s th Ol d o t h e r e r

Ne w T tam nt , th e ir w ite
es e an d t h ir w o d , an d t h e
r rs e r s

pe on n d thing , or to ie t h e y d crib e o e p ort , E

rs s a s s r s es r r

contain e d in th v ol ume it e l f ! ( E ay and R vie w ,

e s
“
ss s e s

p. On e al mo t fo gi v th e folli e con t ai n d in t hi
s r es s
,
e s

n oto i ou vol u me fo t h e f an k c onfe

r s ion of t his one tr uth
r r ss .
28 4 PHILOSOPHY ; OR , [ C. x .

w ri t t e n by h umbl e and ig no rant me n,and for

t he h umbl e and th e ig n oran t ; an d each man ,

t h ank God, c an n ow pl e as e his c ons ci e nc e

w h at me ani ng s he will at t ach t o t ho s e word s

in his ow n mi n d , and as he s h all ans w e r t o

his God and my God .

Th e re fo re , I s ay t h at t he whol e of God s ’

r e ve al e d t r ut h on e art h i s w or ds ,an d n o thi ng

’

e ls e b ut w or ds . D o not b e afraid of t hi s
t r uth ; b ut rathe r g o t o yo ur k ne e s ,and p ray

HIM t o e nabl e y ou t o und e rs t and and p ut a

tr ue me ani ng in y our ow n mi n d on t he t rue

w ord s y ou h ave re c e i ve d , by His P rovid e nc e ,

w hich mad e y ou an E ngli s h child and t e

s p ons ibl e for t he bl e s s i ng s of E ngli s h child

h ood ,and E ngli s h manhood or wom anhood .

”
But if t h ou art an ad vanc e d t hi nk e r , or
s ome s ci e nt ific ol d w oman,s t ill i nv olv e d in t hi s

v e rb al p uzzl e , an d s h al t s a t h at t h e t r ut h w e
y
are s p e aki ng of is in on e or b ot h our mi nds ;

or i n t hi ng s t h e ms e lv e s , an d not in t he w or ds
’

me re ly ,wh e t h e r of t he orig inal authors ,or of

t he t rans l at ors , e i th e r of our s ac re d b ook s , or

of any or all our b ook s of S ci e nc e ; t h e n I

ag ai n ag r e e wi th y ou, t h at acco r di ng t o t he
C . x .
] T HE SCIE NCE OF T RUT H . 28 5

us ua l c onve nt i on of l ang uage m ad e by all

n at i ons , s av ag e and civiliz e d , w e ar e s p e aki ng

of t h e t rut h of mi nd s an d of t he t r ut h of

t hi ng s t h e ms e lv e s , and n ot m e re ly of t he

t r ut h of w ord s But t h at c onv e n t i on is , I

.

s ay , and h av e p rov e d , fo un d e d i n manife s t

an d cl e arly e xhibi t e d e rror .

T he t r ut h of mi n ds i s cl e arly b e yo n d t he
po s s ibili ty of y our knowl e dg e an d my k now
l e dg e One mi nd alo ne c an b e k nown t o e ach
.

of us our ow n mi nd , t he mi nd wi thi n ;
"

for n o man k n ow e t h t he t hi ng s of a m
“
an

s ave t he s pi ri t of man , which is in him

”
.

T he t r ut h of thi ng s the ms e lve s is al s o b e yo n d

t h e p os s ibili t y of y our k nowl e dg e an d my

k nowl e dg e ; for wh at w e k now are only the

p ul s e s and vib rat i ons of e ach of our ow n
n e rvo us s y s t e ms , an d t hi ng s as t h e y are i n

the ms e lve s are ut t e rly b e y on d man s k e n

’
.

Th e re re mai n s , t h e re fore , o nly the t rut h of

w or ds , and wi t h t h at w e mu s t h umbly b e

c ont e nte d , and fe e l our v as t re s p ons ibili ty for

t h at fi re , th at w orld of i niq ui t y , t he h uman
t o ng ue , which at t im e s de fi l e th the whol e
“
28 6 PH ILOSOPHY ; OR , [C . x .

body ,and s e tt e t h on fi re the co urs e of nat ure ,

”
and is i t s e lf s e t on fi re of h e ll .

Thi s is t he l aw ,the co ns ti t utio n,the e s s e nc e

of our h uman nat ure ; and co mpo s e d as M an

is , of mi nd and b ody ,man c an po s s e s s ve r b al

t r ut h o nly Le t us c all it M athe mati c al T r ut h
. .

T h e t ruth s of mi nd s and of t hi ng s ,wh e th e r

co nt ai ne d in the vol ume of God s ins pi rat i on
’

or in any v ol ume of h uman S ci e nc e ,c ons i s t s of

s ig n s an d s y mb ol s , w or ds ,an d w or ds o nly .

T he mi nd s and t hi ng s t h e m s e l ve s are b e y on d
our k now l e dg e ,an d e v e r mus t r e mai n s o whil e

our mi nd s are cl ot h e d wi t h bodi e s . Our

g re at e s t di s co ve ri e s , our s o c all e d l aws of
-

nat ur e , ar e me re v e rb al g ue s s e s at t r ut h ,
”
wi t h p rovi s io nal s e c uri ty only , unt il w e
c an fi nd and ad op t b e t t e r an d more ap t wo rd s

and s y mb ol s , in ord e r t o e xp r e s s t h e vib ra

t i ons an d p ul s at i ons of our h e ar t s and mi n ds ,

of our fe e li ng s and our i nt e ll e c t ,g uid e d by ur

p
will ,as e ach man co nt e mpl ate s wi th h umili ty
t he wo nd rous s c e ne wi t ho ut , and t he mo re

w ond e rful s c e ne wi thi n his ow n b re as t .

T he b e s t e s t abli s h e d po s i t io n in all phil o

S ophy is , t h at thi ng s as th e y are i n the ms e lve s
C. x .
] THE SCIENCE OF T RU T H . 28 7

are k now abl e

un T he e x t e rn al Thi ng p ro
.

d uc e s vib rat i ons of t he inc arry ing ne rve s ,

which e nd in a Th ough t ; the Th ough t p ro
d uc e s vib rat io ns of t he out c arry ing n e rve s ,
which e nd in a W ord : and t he only p art of
t he wh ol e p roc e s s , which c an p oss ibly b e

c omp are d or d i s c uss e d by manki nd , is t he

Word w hich is p rod uc e d by the unk nowabl e
Tho ugh t But s ome may s ay , w or d s are
.

e x t e rnal t hi ng s ,an d, t h e re fore ,al s o unk now

abl e But t hi s is a mi s t ak e ; for w ord s diffe r

.

from all o t h e r e x t e rn al t hi ng s W or d s are

.

t he me di um b e t w e e n A s t h ough t s an d B s
’ ’

t h ough t s , and p as s i nt o b oth mi nd s t h e m

s e lv e s ; and t ho ugh t h e t h oug h t s c an not b e

c omp are d ,y e t t he wo r d s c an b e co mp are d and

re gi s t e re d , or al t e r e d and r e t u rne d fr o m B

to A .

Wh e ne v e r , t h e re fore , A s ay s t h at he is
s p e aki ng ab out t hi ng s t h e ms e lv e s ,or t h at h is
w ord s are t he name s of t hi ngs th e ms e lv e s , ”

h owe v e r j us t ifi e d he may b e by t he e rro ne o us

c onv e nt i on of ordi nary l ang uag e ,h e i s t alki ng
’

ab s ol u t e n ons e ns e ; he c an not p os s ibly s p e ak

,

of t hi ng s t h e m s e lv e s , b ut o nly of his ow n
28 8 PHILOSOPHY ; OR , [ C
. x .

t ho ugh t s or i de as of thi ng s th e m s e lv e s S o .

whe ne v e r B s ay s th at he is s p e aki ng abo ut

g e ne ral h uman i de as , or t h at his w ord s are '

t he n ame s of g e ne ral s ci e nt ific id e as i e of —

.

t he id e as of A ,&c he al s o ,h ow e v e r j us t ifi e d
.
—

by t he s am e c onv e nt io n , is t alki ng n ons e ns e

t o oth e rs ; he c an s p e ak of his ow n id e as , b ut

h e c annot p os s ibly s p e ak of A s i de as , b ut ’

o nly of A s w or ds for his id e as i e ,of h uman

’
—
. .

wo rd s Cons e q ue ntly , C c an only s e t t h e m

.

r igh t , if at al l , by e s t abli s hi ng s ome ne w

c onve nt i on ab out w or ds , and e nd e avo uri ng t o

i nd uc e t h e m t o us e t h e i r wo rd s wi t h g re ate r
acc uracy an d p r e ci s io n, or as he , C,s ay s t he

w ord s o ugh t t o b e us e d .
1

But it foll ow s cl e arly fro m t hi s po s i t io n,

t h at al l w ord s are log i c ally , at t he s ame

t i me , Thi ng s , Th ough t s , an d s ig ns t h e ms e lv e s .

I s ay t h at w or d s ar e l ogic ally t he Thi ng s ;

an d Th ough t s t h e ms e l v e s, n ot me r e ly s ig ns

Me n of b ours e p rofes s t o dis

’

t h e m s e lv e s .

t ing uish b et w e e n w or d s and Thi ngs a nd

1
hi ca e A i
In t s s s Mr . Mill,B 1; D Whe w ll,and th e
r. e

d
re a e r mu t j u dge
s h ow fa t hi b ook i e nt itl e d to th e
r s s

p o ition of C
s . L e t it b e s p oke n with all h umility .
 C . x .
] T HE SCIENCE OF T RU T H . 89

wo rd s and Tho ugh t s in s p e ak i ng and w ri ti ng ;

t h e y p rofe s s t o s p e ak or w r i t e of Th ough t s

and Thi ng s and n ot o d

, f w or s , b u t as i t i s

cl e ar t o d e m ons t rat i on th at me n c ann ot i n

tr u th hav e any k nowl e dg e , i e , t h e y c anno t
. .

po s s ibly s p e ak or wri t e any t rue wo rd s c on

c e rni ng Thi ng s or t ho ugh t s as th e y are i n
the ms e lve s e x t e rnal t o e ach m an s ow n mi nd ;
’

an d as e ach man s ow n i n te r nal t h ough t s c an

’

n ot po s s ibly b e tr ul k n ow n 0 1 s p ok e n of b
y
’
_
y
any o t h e r man t h an hi mse lf —
Man c an t hi nk ,
b ut not s p e ak abo ut t hi ng s ; he c an s p e ak only
abo u t his ow n t ho ugh t s , and c an r e as o n only

abo ut wo rd s ; b ut he c an by w ord s t e ach his

fe llow man t o t hi nk t ruly abo ut t ho ugh t s ,

-

t hi ng s ,and w o rd s .

In S ho rt ,if e x t e rnal t hi ng s t h e m s e lv e s are

unk now abl e , w e c anno t m ake any T RUE s ig ns

of s uch unk now abl e s o me t hi ng s I f my ow n

‘

t ho ugh t s are t he o nly t hi ng s r e ally and t r uly

k now n, t h e n al l tr ue wo rd s c an b e o nly s ig ns
of my ow n t h ough t s , an d n ot of e x t e rnal

t hi ng s ,or t he e x t e rnal t ho ugh t s Of ot he r me n

’

H e nc e , al t ho ugh w e al l ad mi t th at knowl e dg e
re q uire s ,and is prod uce d b y ,or i s a combi ‘

O
2 90 PHILOSOPHY ; OR [C
. x .

nat io n of, Tho ugh t s , Thi ng s , and w ord s , y e t

t he o nly p ar t of, or fac t o r in k nowl e dg e , in

w hich me n c an po ss ibly ag re e , or which t h e y

c an di s c us s ,is the w or ds which e xp re s s t he

k nowl e dge . T he w ord s , t h e r e for e , are not

m e re ly t he s ig ns of the t ho ugh ts and t hings in
h uman k nowl e dg e ,b ut are the t ho ugh ts and
t hi ng s t h e ms e lv e s in k nowl e dg e ,i e ,s o far as
. .

t ho ugh t s and t hi ng s c an b e tr u ly k now n by

any man w ho logic ally und e rs t and s t he wo r d s .

T he w or ds are t he k nowl e dg e s o far as man

c an k n ow i t, and th e y are log i c ally the
t ho ugh t s and t hi ng s h e s ay s he k now s , s o

far as h e c an t r uly k now t h e m .

Wh e n , for e x ampl e , w e s ay ,the s un i s a

hot b ody , w e c an affirm, and are affi rmi ng

y
n o t hi ng abo ut t he s un i n i ts e , or ab out h ot

bodi e s i n the ms e lve s , b ut as s e rt m e re ly the

ve r b al id e nt i t y in our ow n i ndivi d ual mi nd of

t h e t ho ugh t of t he s un ,an d the t ho ugh t o f hot

bodi e s ; and w e invi t e our fe llow me n t o t ry

-

and g e t t he s ame t ho ugh t s i nt o t h e i r mi nd s ,

and t o us e the s ame word s t o e xp re ss t h e m .

Any man who t hi nk s or s ay s t hat he do e s

~

or c an affi rm, in any c ase , any t hi ng mor e

0 . x ] T HE SCIENCE OF T RU T H . 2 91

t h an t hi s m e re ve r bal p ropo s i tio n, co nt radic t s

hi mse lf and cont radic t s the b e s t e s t abli s he d
po s i t io n of all philos oph y , viz , t h at t hi ngs
.

and t ho ugh t s i n t he ms e lve s , as t h e y are e x

t e r nal t o e ach m an s mi n d , are wholly n u

’

k nowabl e .

Of c ourse w e c anno t pr e v e nt me n co ntra

dic t i ng th e ms e lv e s We c anno t p re v e nt a
.

man fi rs t admi t ti ng t he t rut h of phil os ophy ,

t h at t hi ngs ,as t h e y are i n t he ms e lve s , ar e un

k nowable ,and t h e n aft e rward s as se rti ng t h at

he c an giv e us s o me k nowl e dg e by his wo rd s
of t he t hi ng s t h e ms e lv e s , an d not m e re ly of

his word s for his own t ho ugh t s of th e t hi ng s .

We c anno t pr e v e nt me n t h us co nt radic t i ng
the m s e lv e s , w e c an o nly e xpo s e t he c ont ra

dic t io n wh e n w e di s cov e r it ,and as we ll as

w e ar e abl e in w or ds .Th us , wh e n Mr Mill
.

s ay s and admi t s t h at T he id e alis t s h av e e s

t ab l is h e d t h e i r c as e , and al s o s ay s t h at his

Word s are the nam e s of thi ng s t h e mse lve s ,

“

”
and n ot of our id e as of t hi ng s , he c ont radic t s

him s e lf,and is in c onfus ion abo ut his w ord s ,

an d t ho ugh t s and t hi ng s , and do e s n ot se e

the ir t r ue r e l at io ns t o e ach o th e r ; and s o

0 Q
2 92 PHILOSOPHY ; OR , [ C
. x;

he co ntradic ts at one t i me wh at he admi t s at

ano t h e r t i me . Ei th e r the id e ali s ts h av e not
e s t abli s h e d t h e ir c as e ; or wo rd s are n ot t he

nam e s of t hi ng s t h e m s e lv e s , b ut o nly t he

nam e s of e ach m an s ow n i ndivid ual thou hts

’

g
abo ut thi n s Thi s is as cl e ar as t he s un at
g .

noo n d a ,in t rue word s and t r ue logic , and s o

y
w e l e ave i t .

But as s umi ng t h at w e h av e prov e d t hi s ;

t h e n i t is e q ually cl e ar th at e ve ry wo rd i s at

t he s ame t i me ,in t he k nowl e dg e of t ruth ,a

S ig n, a t ho ugh t , and a Thi ng i ts e lf T he .

w ord s un, for e x ampl e , is a s ig n of my ;

t ho ugh t of t he s un ; i t i s , al s o , t he g e ne ral

h uman thoug ht i ts e lf of t he s un t o all tho s e

me n w ho ag re e wi th me t o us e t he w ord for
t he p urp os e of h um an c ommunic at io n on t he

s ubj e c t of t h e s un and i t is al s o l o i c all t he

g y
e x t e rnal thi n i t s e lf, s o Call e d by al l me n,and
g
b e li e v e d by al l me n t o e xi s t ; in S ho rt,t he s un
i s the s un i ts e lf I s ay t he w or d i s thing i ts e lf
.

i n logic al or ve rb al t r uth , i e , in t he o nly

. .

t rut h which man c an k n o w . We are s p e aki ng

abo ut the w or d,an d t hi nki ng abo ut t he t hi ng ;

w e are not s p e aki ng abo ut the t hi ng ,b ut ab o ut .

c a]
. T HE SCIENCE OF T RUT H . 93

our WORD for the t hIng . It isme re ly m e nt al

co nfus io n and ig noranc e of philo s ophy and of
t he t rue li mi t s of h um an k n owl e dg e ,t h at p re

v e nt s me n from ad mi t ti ng t hi s l ogic al t rut h ,

viz , t hat man s w or ds are ,t o e v e ry man who
.
’

unde r s tands t h e m ,at one and th e s am e t im e

logic ally s igns , Tho ugh t s , and thi ngs t h e m

s e l ve s.

Of c ours e , in affi rmi ng t hi s I am affi r mi ng

not hi ng abo ut t ho ugh t s and t hi ng s e x t e rnal

t o man s mi n d , for t h at is impo s s ibl e ; b ut I

’

am affi rmi ng only a ve r b a l, a l ogic al t r ut h ,

an un d e ni abl e t ruth , a t rut h of wo rd s which

al l me n mus t a d mi t or c ont radic t th e ms e l ve s

God has pl ac e d man s body as an imp as sabl e
’

b arrie r b e tw e e n man s mi nd and all o t h e r e x

’

t e rnal bodi e s and al l o t h e r h uman mi nd s , and

has t h e re by e ffe c t ually r e d uc e d m an s k now

’
e

l e dg e of tr ut h t o w or ds o nly T he vib rat i ons

.

of my ne rve s and t he vib rat i on s of y o ur ne rve s

c anno t p os s ibly b e c omp are d ; b ut our wo rd s

c an b e c omp are d ,for t h e y ar e our ow n cr e a

t io ns , and e xi s t i n bo t h our mIn ds ,and are

p e rc e p t ibl e t o b ot h our s e nse s But i t is c e r
.

t ainly of n o us e , and ve ry ab s urd , our p re

2 94 PHILOSOPHY ; OR, [C . x:

te n di ng t o know t h at which God has m ad e it

i mpo s s ibl e for man t o know ,v1z ,t he t rut h .

as t o t ho ugh t s and t hi ng s e x t e rnal t o our

mi nd s an d b odi e s Le t us , th e r e for e ,b e com e

.

h umbl e , and b e s at i s fi e d t o know t ruly our

ow n t ho ugh t s an d our ow n word s , an d fe e l

o urs e l ve s r e s po ns ibl e t o God for the t r uth s

of our mi nd s and for the s ig ns w e mak e t o

e xp re s s t h e m t r ul t o o ur fe llow me n
y
-
.

I h ave ,t h e n, s how n, th at as ordi nary l an

g uag e cont radic ts t hi s t ruth of philo s ophy ,
a n e w co nv e nt io n for all s ci e nt ific l ang uag e is

ne c e s s ary ; and I h av e d e mo ns t rat e d t h at al l

me n admi t wo rd s t o b e n umb e r s , and th at

w ord s ar e not s i mpl e numb e rs ,b ut c ompo und
n umb e r s , or r oduc ts ,and I t h e n h av e t rac e d
p
al l h uman t r ut h and c e rt ai nt t o i t s fo un d at io n
y
in ari thm e t ical NUMB ERS .

Thi s th e o ry is cl e ar, di s ti nc t , and d e mo n

s t rat e d b y d e d uc t io n fr o m a fi rs t p ri ncipl e

which no man who s p e ak s c an po s s ibly d e ny .

I h ave giv e n t w o gre at e x ampl e s ; one t he

high e s t t rut h of mi nd , the o t h e r one of t he
high e s t t ruth s of Bodi e s viz ,the Doc t ri ne
—
.

of the Tri ni ty and Dal t o n s Law of D e fi ni t e

’
C . x .
] THE SC IE NCE OF T RU T H . 2 95

P ropo rtio ns Bo t h . are v e rb al t ruth s Only ,b ut

are ne c e s s ary , ne v e r c e as i ng , aud und e ni abl e
-

t r uth s .
,
I r e p e at t h at me n w ho us e t he
wo rd s , GOD , KNOWLED GE, PERSON , FAC T OR ,
m us t e i th e r co nt radic t t h e m s e lv e s or ad mi t
t he t rut h ,th e v e rb al t rut h of uni t y in T r i ni t y ,

and T ri ni ty i n uni t for s e lf k n owl e dg e ,ac

y
-

co rdi ng t o m an s nat Ure , ne c e s s arily impli e s

’

t h re e d i s t i nc t t hi ng s in one t hi ng how c om
b ine d w e kn ow n ot , e v e n in t he l e as t k now
l e dge w e p oss e s s ; and, of c ours e , we are
i nfi ni t e ly more i nc ap abl e of k nowi ng,in re fe r
e nc e t o our k n owl e dg e of t he n at ur e of t h e

FIRS T CAUSE of all t hi ng s . Each man fe e l s

and k n ow s in his ow n mi n d the cl e ar dis

ti nc t io n b e t w e e n e mot io n, i nt e ll e c t , and will .

Eac h of t h e s e has a m e nt al ac t ivi ty ,a life of

it s ow n,and Is In I t s e lf a mi nd b ut how t h e y .

are co mbi ne d i nt o one h uman mi nd w e k now

n ot , and t h e nat ure of God, His E mo t io ns ,

I nt e ll e c t ,an d W ill , m us t b e infi ni te ly more

i ncomp re h e ns ibl e t o man t h an m an s own ’

nat ur e t o hi ms e lf .

But , ne v e rt h e l e s s , t h e v e rb al t rut h of t he
Tri ni ty is s t ric t ly d e d ucibl e from the tw o
2 96 PHILOSOP HY ; OR, [ C
. x:

as s u mp t io ns of a God and of k nowl e dg e ,s uch

as man c an co nc e i ve and k n ow . It is t h e l aw
and co n s t i t ut io n of our h um an mi nd , and

unl e s s w e v e rb ally c ont radic t o urs e l ve s , w e

c anno t e i th e r d e ny that t h e re are th re e

p e rs ons , uni t s , in the Godh e ad ,or th at t h e re
ar e t h r e e fac t o rs in k no wl e dg e .Me n, of
co urse , c an v e rb ally d e ny bo th t ruth s , b ut
if t h e y at t e mp t t o prov e wh at th e y s ay ,
t h e y mus t co nt radic t t h e ms e l ve s ,and c all A

and n ot A, by t he
-
s ame n am e Th e y are
.

oblig e d t o s ay t h at t hi nki ng and not t hi nki ng -

are t h e s ame t hi ng ,which i s co nt radic t o r ;

y
or, as w e h ave p rov e d , t h at al l k nowl e dg e i s

a t h re e fold Uni t y ; an d, t h e r e fo re , al l se lf

knowl e dg e is al s o a t hre e fold Uni ty ; th e t hre e

fac t o rs i n s e lf k nowl e dg e mus t b e p e r s onm of
-

s e lf,or o t h e rwi s e t h e y m us t s ay t h at s e lf is not

s e lf,which al s o is co nt r adic t ory . Thi s t ruth ,

t h e r e fo r e , i s a n e c e s s a r y, n e v e r c-
e as i n g , an d
un d e ni abl e t r ut h .

But d e e p and my s te rio us as i s t h e doc t ri ne

of the T ri ni ty , and ne c e s s ary as it is t o t he
t r ut hful , i nn e r ,moral c onvic t io ns of man ,it is

s t ill onl y a v e rb al t r uth No man c an s ay more

‘

.
C. x .
] T HE SCIE NC E OF T RU TH . 2 97

h
t an t at h me n m us t and o ugh t S O t o t hi nk and
s p e ak of the D e i ty . N o man,p e rh ap s ,w ould
b e s o p re s ump t uous as t o s ay ,or e v e n v e nt ure
t o t hi nk , t h at h e has at t ai ne d any k n owl e dg e

of t he r e al nat ure of his Cre at o r, b e c aus e he

h as l e arnt b ot h fro m r e v e l at i on and from

r e as o n t o s p e ak an d us e c e rt ai n wo r d s for t he

m oral b uildi ng up of his own mi nd , aft e r t he

manne r of t h e Bibl e , or in t he wo rd s of
T ri ni tari an Ch ri s t i ani ty He will h umbly
.

t ry t o u s e t he v e rb al t rut h in t he w ay h is

Bibl e t e ach e s hi m ; t o p ray for the gift of the

Holy Sp i r i t,t o wo rs hip the F athe r th rough
the S on in s pi ri t and in t r ut h But t he nat ure
.

of God s t ill r e mai ns wholly unk now n, e xc e p t

i n w ord s , S ig ns , an d s y mb ol s o nly.

T he o th e r e x ampl e I h ave giv e n is D al t o n s

’
-

L aw of D e fi ni t e P ropo r t io ns i n the Cons t it u

t i on of M at t e r .

Thi s I h av e d e mo ns trate d is s tric tly de d u

cibl e ap r i or i fro m the wo rd at o m, or ul t i
mat e p ar ticl e . G rant me t he wo rd at o m, or
ul t i mat e p art icl e ,as applic abl e t o e ve ry ki nd

of m at t e r or ch e mic al s ub s t anc e , and y ou

h av e grant e d me D al ton s l aw of d e fi ni te p ro
’
2 98 PHILOSOPHY ; OR, [ C
. x .

p ort i ons as c e s s ary , ne v e r c e as i ng , and

a ne -

u nd e ni abl e t ruth , unl e s s o u ch oos e t o c on

y
t radi c t y o urs e lf, as I h av e pro ve d abov e ,

p 2 07
. .

But , of co urs e , e v e ry man may r e fus e , if

he choo s e s t o gr ant e i th e r th e e xi s t e nc e of
God, or t he e xi s t e nc e of k nowl e dg e , or the
e xi s t e nc e of at oms or ul t i mat e p art icl e s of

m at t e r And if he hold s his t o ng ue abo ut

.

t he D e i t y and k nowl e dg e , h e is s afe from

b e i ng p rov e d s e lf co nt radic t o ry But if he

-
.

p e rs i s ts in talki ng , and afli rms any thi ng

wh at e ve r, t he n w e c an,as I h av e do ne , Ch ap .

I and II , p rov e him s e lf co nt radic t o ry for

. .
-

d e ny i ng the e x i s t e nc e of k nowl e dg e ; and al s o

s e lf co nt radic t ory for d e nyi ng t h at k n owl e dg e
-

has t h re e f ac tor s ; and al s o s e lf c o nt radic t o ry

-

for d e nyi ng t he t h re e fac t o rs or p e r s onw of the

D e i ty ,who s e s e lf k nowl e dg e he ad mi t s
-
. SO,
of co urs e , if h e v e nt ure s t o t alk ab out p ar

t ic l e s of matt e r, or ch e mic al Bodi e s , h e m us t

e i t h e r affi rm t h e i nfi ni t e divi s ibili t y of e v e ry

p art ic l e of m att e r, or g rant us Dal t o n s law as’

a ne c e s s ary and ne v e r c e as i ng
-
t r ut h , or,

o t h e rwi se , he co ntradic t s him s e lf ; a t hi ng

C . x .
] T HE SCIENCE OF T RU T H . 99

which I h av e s how n it is v e ry e as y for w ord

p uzzl e d logici ans and adv anc e d t hi nk e rs t o do
wi tho ut th e i r b e i ng at all aware of it , amid s t
t he co nfus i on of or di nary l ang uag e .

T he re me dy which I h av e p r opo s e d for

what Sir J H e rs ch e l j us t ly d e s c rib e s as an
.

e x t re me ly i nco nv e ni e nt s t at e of l ang uag e ,

”

is a ve ry s impl e one , viz , t h at me n of s ci e nc e

.

s h all giv e us alw ay s a li s t of t he i nd e c om

po s abl e f ac tor s of the wo rd s t h e y di s c uss .

I h av e S h own th at e v e ry wo r d is e i t h e r an
i nd eco mp os abl e wo r d lik e e l e c t rici t y , or c he
mic al affi ni ty , or pol ari ty,or o rgani s at io n, or
,
ab s o rp t io n or se c re t io n, or al l t ho s e wo r ds

e xp re s s i ng fun d am e nt al fac t s in nat ur e , b e

yo nd which w e h ave not p e ne trat e d ; or e l s e

[

t he w ord i s Compo se d of fac t ors ,of which a

man of s ci e nc e who wri t e s on the s ubj e c t

o ugh t t o giv e a li s t ,as go od a li s t as he c an,
or hold his t o ng ue abo ut t h e wo r d , and t he

t hi ng i t r e p re s e nt s I h av e e nd e avo u re d t o
.

gi ve s e v e ral e x ampl e s of the fac t ors which go

t o co mpo s e my wo rd s ,or t ho ugh t s , or t hi ng s ,

KNOWLED GE , NUMB ER , T I ME , SPA CE , LIFE ,

MIND , C AUSE , &c , and until b e tt e r and mor e
.
3 00 PHILOSOPHY ; OR [ C. x .

r e as o nabl e fac t o rs are name d ,I s ub mi t th e m

t o t he j udg me nt of my co unt rym e n as mor e

c are fully t h an hi th e r t o d e fini ng t h e s e v e ry

ab s t rac t w ord s , id e as ,or t hi ng s .

All t rue w ord s , h ow e ve r, are from G od

al one . Wo rd s wi t ho ut und e rs t andi ng are
b odi e s wi th out a s oul , are al tog e th e r de ad .

V e rb al t ru th , livi ng t rut h ,t h e re fore ,c an o nly

b e wo rds und e rs t ood . Y our und e rs t andi ng
c an ne ve r b e mi ne ,or an o t h e r un d e rs t an di ng
y
t h an y our ow n, and for i t , y ou al one are

ans w e rabl e , an d n o one e l s e . I f yo ur und e r

s t andi ng b e t r ut hful , it is full of t r uth ; b ut

if y ou thi nk th at y ou c an p os s e s s t r uth wi tho ut

T RU T H p os s e s s i ng y our und e r s t andi ng , y ou
k now not hi ng y e t as y ou o ugh t t o k now it ,
o u h av n o t t acq u i re d o n e t r ut hful
y e
y e

t ho ugh t , y ou h av e n ot y e t fill e d wi th M IND

one t r ut hful w or d Y our wo rd s are d e ad ,whil s t

.

y o u t hi n k t h e y liv e
. Y o ur m i n d i s d a rk e ne d

whil s t y ou s ay , w e s e e God is ligh t and God

.

i s t r uth ,and He is as much ligh t and t r ut h In

di s c us s i ng and und e rs t andi ng the v e rb al
t r ut h s of e x t e rnal nat ure , as He is ligh t and

t r ut h in di s c us s i ng or und e rs t an di ng t he
C . x .
] T HE SCI E NCE O F T RU TH .

v e rb al t rut h s of yo ur ow n i nt e rnal e xi s te nc e .

A di re c t r e fe re nc e of v e rb al t r uth t o H im ,
and Him alo n e , is as much ne c e s s ary or a s

ne ve r c e as i ng in t he on e c as e as in t h e ot h e r
-
.

It has b e e n s aid , t h at t he l aw s of nat ure

are t h e th ough t s of n at ure ,an d t h e s e are t he

t ho ugh t s of God b ut our l aw s of nat ure are

our t ho ugh t s e xp re s s e d in our w or ds , and

t h e s e w ord s are man S c re ati ons ,an d c an h av e

o nly t e mpo rary an d p rovi s i onal c e rt ai nty t o

aid and fix m an s t h ough t s ; b ut m an s
’ ’

t ho ugh t s e xp re s s e d in man s w ord s , and

’

s t ric tly d e d uc e d by man s re as on , h ave al l t he

’

c e rt ai nty , and al l t he t r ut h of the original

wo rd s , S igns ,or sy mbol s ,from which t h e y are
s t ric t l y d e d uc e d , and s o far as th e o ri i nal
”

g
wo rd s and t ho ugh t s are n e c e s s ary and t r uth
ful ,m an s wo rd s s o d e d uc e d ar e T rut h A law
’ ;

of n at ure e xp re s s e d in m an s w ord s , and

’

st ric tly d e d uc e d fr o m s om e o rigi nal and ne

c e s s ar y t ho ugh t s and w or d s , h ave al l t he

ne c e ss i t y of s uch o rigi nal and ne c e ss ary

t h ough t s and w or d s , and n o furth e r , and no

o t h e rwi s e T he man w ho d e ni e s s uch ne c e s

s it y , or d e ni e s s uch t r uth , d e ni e s his ow n
302 P HI LO SO P HY ; on, [ C. x:

e xi s te nc e ,d e ni e s and ob s c ure s the t r uth which

God has giv e n t o man He d e ni e s the im age
.

of God wi t hi n him .

N e c e s s i ty , the re fore , or ne v e r c e as ing ne s s ,

-

as appli e d t o t r ut h , c an o nly apply , of

co urs e , t o v e rb al t r uth s ; and more ov e r, c an

ne v e r e xc e e d t he ne c e s s i ty of t he firs t

v e rb al as s ump t io ns , fro m which the t r uth s

are d e d uc e d . But as al l t r ut h re s ol ve s i t s e lf
.

i nt o v e rb al t ruth, r e as on and re v e l ati on bo t h

conc ur in de cl ari ng t he v as t , the unu tte rabl e
impo rt an c e of h u man word s Re as on t e ll s us ,
.

as w e s u b mi t w e h av e prov e d b e yo nd di s p ut e

in t hi s wo rk , t h at all h u man t rut h is w or ds ,

and God has mo s t cl e arly r e v e al e d t hi s t rut h

t o man , t h at by t hy word s t ho u s h al t b e
“

j us t ifi e d , an d b y thy wo rd s th ou s h al t b e
co nd e mn e d “
Th at for e v e ry idl e wo rd
t h at me n do s p e ak ,t h e y s h all giv e acc ount l n

th e D ay of J u dgm e nt . Th at t he r e ad e r may
”

cle arly s e e ,l e ar n,and b e morally s t re ng t h e ned

i n t hi s g re at t ru t h , co nfirm at ory of t he t rut h
w e h av e b e e n as s e rt i ng , t h at all t he t rut h s of

mi nds an d bodi e s k now n amo ngs t man

k i nd , all re s olv e t h e m s e lv e s i nt o t rut h of .
o. T HE SCIEN C E or T R UT H . 3 08

h uman wo r d s , and wo rd s o nly ; th at t he

r e ad e r ma hold t hi s fa t a n d f e e li ng t h e
y s ,

e mp t i ne s s of me r e h u m an s ci e nt ific t ruth ,

may b e t h e re by l e ad t o follow mo re and mor e

aft e r righ t e o us ne s s , godli n e s s , fai th , lov e ,
“

p ati e nc e , me e k ne s s , and t o figh t t he good

figh t of fai th ,and t o l ay hold on e t e rnal life ,
o ffe re d him fre e ly t h rough J e s us Ch ri s t , is
t he fi nal p ray e r, as it h as b e e n t he m ai n

obj e c t of thi s book Fare we ll

.

T HE END .