Outlines of moral philosophy / by Dugald Stewart.

  • Dugald Stewart
Date:
1845
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Outlines of moral philosophy / by Dugald Stewart. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    may be defined in more general terms, “ The faculty by which the mind separates the com- binations which are presented to it, in order to simplify the objects of its consideration.” 49. An appellative, or a generic word, is a name applicable in common to a number of in- - dividuals, which agree with each other in some particulars, and differ in others. By means of _ such words, we are enabled to reason concern- ing classes of objects and classes of events, and to arrive at general conclusions, comprehending under them a multitude of particular truths. The use which is made in algebra of the letters _of the alphabet, affords the best illustration of the nature of general reasoning, and of the principles on which it proceeds. These prinei- ples were long misunderstood by philosophers, who imagined that a generic word expresses an actual existence distinct from the individuals of which the genus is composed; and that the - mind has a faculty of directing its attention to this general IDEA or ESSENCE, without the me- diation of language. Hence much of the mys- tery which still prevails in the abstract sciences. 50. As it is by language alone that we are _ rendered capable of general reasoning, one of _ the most valuable branches of logic is that _ which relates to the use of words. Too little attention has hitherto been bestowed on this
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