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

CHAP. XXXIII.

Of Method.

THere are two kinds of disputation:a 1.1 One, when the truth it selfe is subtlely polished in the dispute: The other, when every expression is accommodated to the vulgar opinion; for, we must use popular and usuall words, when we speak of po∣pular opinions, which Panaetius in the like manner hath done.

b 1.2 The first way was peculiar to the Stoicks, short, acute, and spinous, called likewise Logick, most worthy of Philosophy; for this useth definitions, divisions, and the lights which they af∣ford, as likewise similitudes, dissimilitudes, and the nice acute distinction of them.

The vulgar way of dispute is likewise two-fold: One by con∣tinued oration: The other by question and answer; the first cal∣led c 1.3 Analytick, ord 1.4 Rhetoricall; the othere 1.5 Topick, orf 1.6 Dialecticall. g 1.7 Though the first be delightfull, yet the latter is more commo∣dious, when we insist on particulars, and understand what eve∣ry man granteth, what every man denyeth, what we would have concluded from concessions, and brought to an end. For,

when a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 is 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••n like 〈…〉〈…〉 it beats ma∣ny things along with it; yet we can hold nothing, we cannot stop the ••apid 〈…〉〈…〉h 1.8 The other•• concluding as Zeno used, more shortly and narrowly, 〈…〉〈…〉 re∣prehension. As a River in its course, cannot at all, or very ••••rdly be corrupted, but water shut up, 〈◊〉〈◊〉: So by 〈…〉〈…〉, the faults of the oppo•••• are carried quite away; in 〈…〉〈…〉 speech, they are not easily defend•••• 〈…〉〈…〉 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉▪

But each of these methods hath a severall use, the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 pro∣per for exposition of A••s and Sci••nces, the oth•••• for 〈◊〉〈◊〉

Notes

• a 1.1

  Cic. Off••••. 2.
• b 1.2

  Cic. de ••in. 3.
• c 1.3

  Senec. ••pist. 14. 90.
• d 1.4

  Cic. de sin. 2.
• e 1.5

  Senec. Ep. 14. 90.
• f 1.6

  Cic. de sin. 2.
• g 1.7

  Cic. ibid.
• h 1.8

  Cic. de nat. deor. 2.