An introduction to the art of logick composed for the use of English schools, and all such who having no opportunity of being instructed in the Latine tongue ... / by John Newton ...

CHAP. XIV. Of the Topicks concerning Conjugates, and Notation.

THey are properly called Conjugates which for the affinity of signification have also an affinity in the voice or sound; as just, justice, and justly; some Conjugates are only nominal, some real and some both, and do comprehend Denominatives under them, and are either substantives, where one is a Noun Substantive, abstracted from the sub∣ject; as, justice, just; or an Adjective, where they be both Denominatives, or Concretes

which shew the form in the abstract; as, just, justly. Notation, or Etymology, is the explication of a word by the original there∣of; as, a Consul from counselling the common∣wealth.

The Canons or Rules of Conjugates are,

• 1. That to which one of the conjugates doth agree, the other doth agree also; and the con∣tray; as, if Socrates be just, he will do just∣ly. This rule faileth 1. In those which are nominal Conjugates only; for if Socrates drink wine, it doth not presently follow, that he is a wine-bibber, that is, a drunkard. 2. When we argue from one or some far actions, that there is a habit, and therefore it doth not follow, that Socrates is just, because he hath done some things that are just. 3. When we argue from the power to the act, as, Socrates is risible, though he do not laugh at present.
• 2. If one of the Conjugates may be predi∣cated of one, the other may be predicated of a∣nother, and so also negatively; as, if white∣ness be a colour, white shall be a thing co∣loured. This rule faileth 1. In those which are nominal conjugates only; as it doth not fol∣low that wine is an evil thing, because wine-bibbing is so: 2. In arguing affirmatively,

• from the concretes to the abstracts, where the predication is not by it self; as, it doth not follow that whiteness is sweetness, because something that is white (as milk) is sweet.
• 3. In arguing negatively from the abstracts to the concretes; as, because no whiteness is sweetness, it doth not follow that nothing that is white, is sweet.

The Canons of Notation are two.

• 1. That which doth or doth not agree to no∣tation, doth, or doth not agree with the thing noted; as, if the study of wisedome be to be preferred before the study of the military art; Philosophy is also to be preferred before the military art.
• 2. That of which the thing noted is predica∣ted, notation is also predicated, and the con∣trary; as, if there be a solstice, the Sun doth stand; if there be no holy thing taken away, there is no Sacriledge.

The Topick from notation is more delightful than forcible, and the Canons thereof do fai•• very often; as, 1. If the notations be too much strained; as, it doth not follow tha•• Thomas Perseval is therefore wiser than other men, because he doth perceive all. 2. If in argu∣mentation a true notation or etymology be no•• taken in a true manner; as, it doth not follow that Socrates doth teach or instruct his pupils

because he is a teacher, for he is indeed cal∣led a teacher from teaching, or because he ought to teach; not because he doth alwaies actually. And by several other waies, which a diligent observer may easily under∣stand.