An entire body of philosophy according to the principles of the famous Renate Des Cartes in three books, (I) the institution ... (II) the history of nature ... (III) a dissertation of the want of sense and knowledge in brute animals ... / written originally in Latin by the learned Anthony Le Grand ; now carefully translated from the last corrections, alterations, and large additions of the author, never yet published ... by Richard Blome.

The Third Rule. Of the Judgment of a Simple and Compound Proposition.

XVI. The Third Rule. The Simplicity or Composition of a Proposition is taken from the Combination or Disjunction of the Terms, that is, of the Subject and Predicate, whe∣ther the same be single or manifold.

XVII. Compound Propositions are many∣fold. Compound Propositions are of two kinds; for some are such in which the Composition is Evident; others again in which it is more hid, which the Logicians therefore call Exponibiles: Of the first sort are Propositions, Copulative, Disjunctive, Con∣ditional, Causal, Relative, and Discretive.

XVIII. Of Com∣pound Pro∣positions some are Copulative. Copulative Propositions are such as include more Subjects and Predicates, joyned by an Affirmative or Negative Conjunction. As when I say, the Sun and Moon Illuminate the Earth; for here I joyn Sun and Moon together, and affirm of them both, that they Illuminate the Earth. For the parts of a Co∣pulative Proposition, are entire simple Propositions, which have another Predicate or Subject.

XIX. Some Dis∣junctive. Disjunctive Propositions are those in which the Disjunctive Note or, either, whether, and the like is found; As, a Man either has, or has not a Child. Either the Earth is mov'd about the Sun, or the Sun about the Earth. The truth of which Propo∣sitions, depends upon the necessary Opposition of the Parts, between which no Medium can be assigned. And therefore this Disjunctive Proposi∣tion, It is either a Man, or an Animal, is false, because the Parts are not opposite to each other. As is likewise this, It is either Peace or War, because there may be a Truce or Cessation of Arms, which is a Mean between War and Peace. So that to the absolute Truth of Disjunctive Propositions, it is necessary that they have no Mean at all; but to their being Morally true it is sufficient, if com∣monly they have none.

XX. Others Con∣ditional. Conditional Propositions consist of two Proposi∣tions, joyned by the Conditional If, as; If God be merciful, he will forgive Sinners: If that be a

Triangle, it hath three Angles equal to two Right ones. The First, In which the Conditional is put, is called the Antecedent, and the other the Conse∣quent. And it is to be noted, that the Truth of an Hypothetical or Conditional Proposition, doth not consist in the Truth of the Antecedent or Conse∣quent, but in the Union and Knitting of them both by the Conditional If; for a Conditional Pro∣position may be true, tho' both its Parts be false; as If a Tree walks it hath Feet.

XXI. Others Cau∣sal. Causal Propositions, are such as contain two Pro∣positions, joyned by the Causal Conjunctions Because, That; As, A Covetous Man loves no Body, because he confides only in himself. Kings are often raised to a Throne, that they may be miserable. For to the Truth of such Propositions as these it is requisit, that the one of them be the cause of the other, and therefore both of them must be True: For what is false hath no Cause, neither can it be the Cause of another thing.

XXII. Others Re∣lative. Relative Propositions, are known by some Note of Comparison; as Where the Treasure is, there is the Heart also. A Woman is so far to be esteemed, as she is Vertuous.

XXIII. Others Dis∣cretive. Lastly, Discretive Propositions, are such in which we frame different Judgments, and determine the said Difference by such Signs as these, But, Yet; As, Tho' GOD be Merciful, yet he is Just. The beloved thing may be separated from a Lover, but Love not. The Truth of these depends on the Truth of their Parts, and of the separation which is put between them. Tho' both the Parts were true, yet because there is no opposition between them, this would be a ridiculous Proposition: A Covetous Man Loves Riches, and yet cannot endure that any one should be Liberal towards the Poor. A Discretive is the only Proposition that is excluded from the Composition of a Syllogism.

XXIV. Of Proposi∣tions some are Subal∣tern, Con∣trary, Sub∣contrary, and Con∣tradictory. Amongst Propositions that have the same Terms, and disposed in the same Order, but modified with various Quantity or Quality, are reckon'd up the Subaltern, Contrary, Subcontrary and Contradi∣ctory. Subaltern Propositions are an Universal, and particular of the same Quality: As, Every Circle is a Figure; some one Circle is a Figure. Contrary, are two Universal Propositions of divers Qualities: As, Every Man is Rich, No Man is Rich; which may be both false. Subcontrary Propositions, are two particulars of divers Qualities; As, Some one Man is a Physician; Some one Man is no Physician. Contradictory are such as differ in Quantity as well as Quality; As, Every Man is a Living Crea∣ture, Some one Man is no Living Creature: Which cannot both of them be true, nor both false.