Three Absurdities of Certain Modern Theories of Education [pp. 265-292]

Process of Discovery.
words, the general truth reduced to a particular case or figure
for more easy comprehension. Next comes the demonstration,
or the exhibition of the link by which it is connected with pre vious propositions, and thus bound firmly to what was previously
in the mind. In this way there is finally established and made
the mind's own, what was before received as a truth of authority
to be proved or tested, not discovered for the first time. Such
a pretence of discovery would be an unreality, a sham, unworthy the dignity of science, and rather enfeebling the mind (as
every mock process must) for that real analysis and discovery
in which the student may be called to exercise himself when he
reaches the boundary of the really unknown, (that is, as yet
unanalyzed by any mind, or brought within the enclosures of
known truth,) and for which previous accurate knowledge is the
most thorough and effective preparation.
It might be interesting to trace the process, could we do so,
through which Pythagoras, or whoever he was that first discovered the proposition generally known as the 47th of Euclid,
arrived at the result. We may be quite certain that it was not
in that perfectly logical order, by which it is approached in the
Elements. It may have been through much guessing, or confused insight just enough to give a strong persuasion of the
truth, and yet unable for a long time to connect it with previous
acquisitions. It may have been aided by a crude experimenting,
assuming the truth for that purpose as a temporary hypothesis,
although as yet unproved. There, may have been even a resort
to actual measurement, and imperfect trials of various kinds,
both practical and theoretical, until finally, after much groping
in this way, although with strong assurance of something to
reward the search, the hidden connecting links were seen, and
the position to which the soul had thus, as it were, reached out
in advance, is at length apprehended, made fast, and firmly
bound to the previously known; that is, to that which had itself
before this been thus vaticinated, and secured, and bound fast
in like manner. Then might have been raised the cry of
Eureka, for then was found not the lost, but what had previously
been lying in the chaos of the mind's unread thoughts, dimly
apprehended, and obscurely seen, until brought at last into the
clear light of its connexion with other truth. It is first guessed,
1851.]
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