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 ...

4310 REASONING AND DEDUCTIVE EVIDENCE.
formation of a just definition is the end to which our inquiries
are directed. It is very judiciously observed by Mir. Burke, in
his Essay on Taste, that'" when we define, we are in danger of
circumscribing nature within the bounds of our own notions,
which we often take up by hazard, or embrace on trust, or form
out of a limited and partial consideration of the object before
us, instead of extending our ideas to take in all that nature
comprehends, according to her manner of combining. We are
limited in our inquiry by the strict laws to which we have submitted at our setting out."
The same author adds, that 6 "a definition may be very exact,
and yet go but a very little way towards informing us of the
nature of the thing defined;" and that, " in the order of things,
a definition, let its virtue be what it will, ought rather to follow
than to precede our inquiries, of which it ought to be considered
as the result."
From a wlant of attention to these circumstances, aund from a
blind imitation of the mathematical arrangement in speculations where facts are involved among the principles of our
reasonings, numberless errors in the writings of philosophers
might be easily traced. The subject is of too great extent to
be pursued any further here; but it is well entitled to the'
examination of all who may turn their thoughts to the reformation of logic. That the ideas of Aristotle himself; with respect
to it, were not very precise, must, I think, be granted, if the
following statement of his ingenious commentator be admitted
as correct.
Definiti'ons in geometry are not founded on observation."Every general term," says Dr. Gillies, "is considered by Aristotle, as the abridgment of a definition; and every definition
is denominated by him a collection, because it is the result
always of observation and comparison, and often of many
observations and of many comparisons."
These two propositions will be found, upon examination, not
very consistent with each other. The first, "I That every general
term is the abridgment of a definition," applies, indeed, admirably
to mathematics; and touches with singular precision on the