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第17章

prior analytics-第17章

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no E。 Similarly with the rest。 In all cases it is necessary to find



some common term other than the subjects of inquiry; to which the



syllogism establishing the false conclusion may relate; so that if



this premiss is converted; and the other remains as it is; the



syllogism will be ostensive by means of the same terms。 For the



ostensive syllogism differs from the reductio ad impossibile in



this: in the ostensive syllogism both remisses are laid down in



accordance with the truth; in the reductio ad impossibile one of the



premisses is assumed falsely。



  These points will be made clearer by the sequel; when we discuss the



reduction to impossibility: at present this much must be clear; that



we must look to terms of the kinds mentioned whether we wish to use an



ostensive syllogism or a reduction to impossibility。 In the other



hypothetical syllogisms; I mean those which proceed by substitution;



or by positing a certain quality; the inquiry will be directed to



the terms of the problem to be proved…not the terms of the original



problem; but the new terms introduced; and the method of the inquiry



will be the same as before。 But we must consider and determine in



how many ways hypothetical syllogisms are possible。



  Each of the problems then can be proved in the manner described; but



it is possible to establish some of them syllogistically in another



way; e。g。 universal problems by the inquiry which leads up to a



particular conclusion; with the addition of an hypothesis。 For if



the Cs and the Gs should be identical; but E should be assumed to



belong to the Gs only; then A would belong to every E: and again if



the Ds and the Gs should be identical; but E should be predicated of



the Gs only; it follows that A will belong to none of the Es。



Clearly then we must consider the matter in this way also。 The



method is the same whether the relation is necessary or possible。



For the inquiry will be the same; and the syllogism will proceed



through terms arranged in the same order whether a possible or a



pure proposition is proved。 We must find in the case of possible



relations; as well as terms that belong; terms which can belong though



they actually do not: for we have proved that the syllogism which



establishes a possible relation proceeds through these terms as



well。 Similarly also with the other modes of predication。



  It is clear then from what has been said not only that all



syllogisms can be formed in this way; but also that they cannot be



formed in any other。 For every syllogism has been proved to be



formed through one of the aforementioned figures; and these cannot



be composed through other terms than the consequents and antecedents



of the terms in question: for from these we obtain the premisses and



find the middle term。 Consequently a syllogism cannot be formed by



means of other terms。







                                30







  The method is the same in all cases; in philosophy; in any art or



study。 We must look for the attributes and the subjects of both our



terms; and we must supply ourselves with as many of these as possible;



and consider them by means of the three terms; refuting statements



in one way; confirming them in another; in the pursuit of truth



starting from premisses in which the arrangement of the terms is in



accordance with truth; while if we look for dialectical syllogisms



we must start from probable premisses。 The principles of syllogisms



have been stated in general terms; both how they are characterized and



how we must hunt for them; so as not to look to everything that is



said about the terms of the problem or to the same points whether we



are confirming or refuting; or again whether we are confirming of



all or of some; and whether we are refuting of all or some。 we must



look to fewer points and they must be definite。 We have also stated



how we must select with reference to everything that is; e。g。 about



good or knowledge。 But in each science the principles which are



peculiar are the most numerous。 Consequently it is the business of



experience to give the principles which belong to each subject。 I mean



for example that astronomical experience supplies the principles of



astronomical science: for once the phenomena were adequately



apprehended; the demonstrations of astronomy were discovered。



Similarly with any other art or science。 Consequently; if the



attributes of the thing are apprehended; our business will then be



to exhibit readily the demonstrations。 For if none of the true



attributes of things had been omitted in the historical survey; we



should be able to discover the proof and demonstrate everything



which admitted of proof; and to make that clear; whose nature does not



admit of proof。



  In general then we have explained fairly well how we must select



premisses: we have discussed the matter accurately in the treatise



concerning dialectic。







                                31







  It is easy to see that division into classes is a small part of



the method we have described: for division is; so to speak; a weak



syllogism; for what it ought to prove; it begs; and it always



establishes something more general than the attribute in question。



First; this very point had escaped all those who used the method of



division; and they attempted to persuade men that it was possible to



make a demonstration of substance and essence。 Consequently they did



not understand what it is possible to prove syllogistically by



division; nor did they understand that it was possible to prove



syllogistically in the manner we have described。 In demonstrations;



when there is a need to prove a positive statement; the middle term



through which the syllogism is formed must always be inferior to and



not comprehend the first of the extremes。 But division has a



contrary intention: for it takes the universal as middle。 Let animal



be the term signified by A; mortal by B; and immortal by C; and let



man; whose definition is to be got; be signified by D。 The man who



divides assumes that every animal is either mortal or immortal: i。e。



whatever is A is all either B or C。 Again; always dividing; he lays it



down that man is an animal; so he assumes A of D as belonging to it。



Now the true conclusion is that every D is either B or C; consequently



man must be either mortal or immortal; but it is not necessary that



man should be a mortal animal…this is begged: and this is what ought



to have been proved syllogistically。 And again; taking A as mortal



animal; B as footed; C as footless; and D as man; he assumes in the



same way that A inheres either in B or in C (for every mortal animal



is either footed or footless); and he assumes A of D (for he assumed



man; as we saw; to be a mortal animal); consequently it is necessary



that man should be either a footed or a footless animal; but it is not



necessary that man should be footed: this he assumes: and it is just



this again which he ought to have demonstrated。 Always dividing then



in this way it turns out that these logicians assume as middle the



universal term; and as extremes that which ought to have been the



subject of demonstration and the differentiae。 In conclusion; they



do not make it clear; and show it to be necessary; that this is man or



whatever the subject of inquiry may be: for they pursue the other



method altogether; never even suspecting the presence of the rich



supply of evidence which might be used。 It is clear that it is neither



possible to refute a statement by this method of division; nor to draw



a conc

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