The history of philosophy, in eight parts by Thomas Stanley.

CHAP. XVIII.

Of Dicibles.

TO the place concerning things and significats, belongeth that concerning Dicibles, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, to which true and false is common.a 1.1 Dicible is that which con••isteth according to ratio∣nall phantasy.b 1.2 Rationall phantasy is that, by which what is com∣prehended by phantasy, may be expressed by speech. Every thing that may be said, ought to be said, for from thence is de∣rived the denomination.

c 1.3 Dicible is a mean betwixt notion and thing. Dicibles are notions, that is, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, but not meerly and simply notions, d 1.4 which in as much as they are the principles of science, and are intelligences, are called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉▪ but, in asmuch as they reside in the minde, are called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and are genus's and species, in which manner, being ready for expression, they are called dicibles, and pertain to the enunciative faculty of the soule. For, whatsoever is said, if it be so considered as it is said of something, they are Categorems; if so, as it breaketh forth in∣to voice, and with voice, they are words, if retained in the minde, ready to break forth, they are dicibles. Dicible therefore is a word, and yet signifies not a word, but that which is un∣derstood in the word, and is contained in the minde.

e 1.5 Of Dicibles there are two kinds, the defective, and the per∣fect. The defective are those which an imperfect enunciation, not compleating the sentence, but requiring something to fol∣low; as writeth, for we ask, who? To this kinde belongeth Ca∣tegorems, which are praedicated of other things.

The perfect are such as have a perfect enunciation: Of these there are two kinds: The first peculiarly called perfect, which though they compleat the sentence, yet, signifie neither true nor false. Of these there are many kinds, as Interrogation, percontati∣on,

imperative, adjurative, optative, imprecative, or execrative, substitutive, hypotheticall, compellative, like to, or transcending an axiome, and dubitative.

Interrogation is that which is a perfect sentence, but requireth an answer, as, Is it day? for this is neither true nor false; so that it is day, is an axiom, is it day? an interrogation.

Percontation is a thing for which we cannot answer significant∣ly, as in Interrogation, yes: but as thus, he dwelleth in such a place.

Imperative is a thing, in speaking whereof, wee command, as,

Go thou to the Inachian stood. f 1.6 Adjurative, as witness thou Earth.

Optative, which he we speak wishing, as,

Great Iove who dost in Ida reign, The Victory let Ajax gain.

Imprecative, or execrative, as,

As on the ground this wine I poure, So may the Earth his blood devour.

Substitutive, or expositive, as, let this be a right line.

Hypotheticall, as, supposing the Earth to be the Centre of the Globe of the Sun.

Compellative is a thing in speaking which we call another,* 1.7 as,

Atrides, Agamemnon, King of men.

Like to, or transcending an axiom, is that which hath an axio∣maticall manner of speaking; but because it superabounds in some particle or affection, it is not ranked amongst axioms, as,

How beautious is thy Virgin-Train! How like to Priam's Son, that swaine!

Dubitative is a thing different from an axiom, which, whoso∣ver speaks, maketh a doubt, as,

Then are not life and grief of kin? all these are neither true nor false.

The other kind of perfect dicibles which compleat the Sen∣tence▪ affirmeth or denyeth, and is either true or false. It is call∣ed axtom.

Notes

• a 1.1

  Laert.
• b 1.2

  Sext. Empir. adv. log.
• c 1.3

  Ammon. in pro•••••• Arist. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉▪
• d 1.4

  Burs. in dial. Cic. 5. 1.
• e 1.5

  Laert.
• f 1.6

  Ammom, in lib. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.7

  Laert.