Elements of the philosophy of the human mind. By Dugald Stewart. Rev. and abridged, with critical and explanatory notes, for the use of colleges and schools. By Francis Bowen ...

INTRODUCTION. l
PART II.
OF THE UTILITY OF THE PHILOSOPHY OF THE HUMIAN MIND.,
Connection of the Arts and Sciences with each other. — It
has been often remarlked, that there is a mutual connection between the different arts and sciences.; and that the improvements which are made in one branch of human knowledge, frequently throw light on others, to which it has apparently a very
remote relation. The modern discoveries in astronomy and in
pure mathematics have contributed to bring the art of navigation to a degree of perfection formerly unknown. The rapid
progress which has been lately made in astronomy, anatomy,
and botany, has been chiefly owing to the aid which these sciences have received from the art of the optician.
Althlouth, however, the diffierent departments of science and
of art mutually reflect light on each other, it is not always necessary either for the philosopher or the artist to aim at the acquisition of general knowledge. Both of them may safely take
many principles for granted, without being able to demnonstrate
their truth. A seaman, though ignorant of mathematics, may
apply, with correctness and dexterity, the rules for finding the
longitude. An astronomer or a botanist, though ignorant of
optics, may avail himself of the use of the telescope or the microscope.
These observations are daily exemplified in the case of the
artist; who has seldom either inclination or leisure to speculate
concerning the principles of his art. It is rarely, however, we
meet with a man of science who has confined his studies wholly
to one branch of knowledge. That curiosity, which he has been
accustomed to indulge in the course of his favorite pursuit, will
naturally extend itself to every remarkable object which falls
under his observation, and can scarcely fail to be a source of
perpetual dissatisfaction to his mind, till it has been so far gratified as to enable him to explain all the various phenomena