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 ...

296 rMEMORY.
same combinations of circumstances, we expect, with the most
perfect assurance, that the same results will take place. In the
moral world, the course of events does not appear to be equally
regular; but still it is regular to so great a degree, as to afford
us many rules of importance in the conduct of life.
A knowledge of nature, in so far as it is absolutely necessary
for the preservation of our animal existence, is obtruded on us,
without any reflection on our part, from our earliest infancy. It
is thus that children learn of themselves to accommodate their
conduct to the established laws of the material world. In doing
so, they are guided merely by Mitemory, and the instinctive
principle of anticipation which has just been mentioned.
In forming conclusions concerning future events, the philosopher, as well as the infant, can only build with safety on past
experience; and lhe, too, as well as the infant, proceeds on an instinctive belief; for which he is unable to account, of the uniformity of' the laws of nature. There are, however, two important respects, which distinguish the knowledge lie possesses
from that of ordinary men. In the Jrst place, it is far more
extensive, in consequence of the assistance which science gives
to his natural powers of invention and discovery. Secondly, it
is not. only more easily retained in the Memory, and more conveniently applied to use, in consequence of the manner in
which his ideas are arranged; but it enables him to ascertain,
b'y a process of reasoning, all those truths which may be syntlietically.deduced from his general principles. The illustration of
these particulars will lead to some useful remarks; and will at
the same time show, that, in discussing the subject of this section, I have not lost sight of the inquiry which occasioned it.
Hiow philosophy aids our powers of inventioin and discovery. -
I. (1.) It was already remarked, that the natural powers of Menmory, together with that instinctive anticipation of the future
from the past, which forms one of the original principles of the
mind, are sufficient to enable infants, after a very short experience, to preserve their animal existence. The laws of nature,
which it is not so important for us to know, and which are the
objects of philosophical curiosity, are not so obviously exposed