tiply the modes of fyllogifm upon their ac count, These attempts, therefore, fhow rather inclination than power, to discover any material defect in Ariftotle's theory. The most valuable addition made to the theory of categorical fyllogifms, feems to be the invention of thofe technical names given to the legitimate modes, by which they may be easily remembered, and which have been comprised in these barbarous verfes. Barbara, Celarent, Darii, Ferio, dato prima; In these verses, every legitimate mode belonging to the three figures has a name given to it, by which it may be distinguifhed and remembered. And this name is fo contrived as to denote its nature: for the name has three vowels, which denote the kind of each of its propofitions. Thus, a fyllogifm in Bocardo must be made up of the propofitions denoted by the three vowels, O, A, O; that is, its major and conclufion must be particular negative propofitions, and its minor an univerfal universal affirmative; and being in the third figure, the middle term must be the fubject of both premises. This is the mystery contained in the vowels of those barbarous words. But there are other mysteries contained in their confonants: for, by their means, a child may be taught to reduce any fyllogifm of the fecond or third figure to one of the firft. So that the four modes of the first figure being directly proved to be conclufive, all the modes of the other two are proved at the fame time, by means of this operation of reduction. For the rules and manner of this reduction, and the different fpecies of it, called oftenfive and per impoffibile, I refer to the logicians, that I may not disclose all their mysteries. The invention contained in these verses is fo ingenious, and fo great an adminicle to the dextrous management of fyllogifms, that I think it very probable that Ariftotle had fome contrivance of this kind, which was kept as one of the fecret doctrines of his fchool, and handed down by tradition, until fome perfon brought it to light. This is offered only as a conjecture, leaving it to those who are better 3 A acquainted VOL. III. 1 acquainted with the most ancient commentators on the Analytics, either to refute or to confirm it. SECT. 3. On Examples used to illuftrate this Theory. We may obferve, that Ariftotle hardly ever gives examples of real fyllogifms to illustrate his rules. In demonftrating the legitimate modes, he takes A, B, C, for the terms of the fyllogifm. Thus, the first mode of the first figure is demonftrated by him in this manner. "For," fays he, "if A is attributed to every B, and B "to every C, it follows neceffarily, that <c A may be attributed to every C." For difproving the illegitimate modes, he uses the fame manner; with this difference, that he commonly for an example gives three real terms, fuch as, bonum, habitus, prudentia; of which three terms you are to make up a fyllogifm of the figure and mode in queftion, which will appear to be inconclufive. The commentators and fyftematical writers in logic, have fupplied this defect; and and given us real examples of every legitimate mode in all the figures. We acknowledge this to be charitably done, in order to affift the conception in matters fo very abstract; but whether it was prudently done for the honour of the art, may be doubted. I am afraid this was to uncover the nakedness of the theory: it has undoubtedly contributed to bring it into contempt; for when one confiders the filly and uninstructive reasonings that have been brought forth by this grand organ of fcience, he can hardly forbear crying out, Parturiunt montes, et nafcitur ridiculus mus. Many of the writers of logic are acute and ingenious, and much practised in the fyllogistical art; and there must be some reafon why the examples they have given of fyllogifms are fo lean. We shall speak of the reafon afterwards; and fhall now give a fyllogifm in each figure as an example. No work of God is bad; The natural paffions and appetites of men are the work of God; Therefore none of them is bad. In this fyllogifm, the middle term, work of God, is the fubject of the major and the predicate of the minor; fo that the fyllogifm is of the firft figure. The mode is that called Celarent; the major and conclufion being both univerfal negatives, and the minor an univerfal affirmative. It agrees to the rules of the figure, as the major is univerfal, and the minor affirmative; it is alfo agreeable to all the general rules; fo that it maintains its character in every trial. And to fhow of what ductile materials fyllogifms are made, we may, by converting fimply the major propofition, reduce it to a good fyllogifm of the fecond figure, and of the mode Cefare, thus: Whatever is bad is not the work of God; All the natural paffions and appetites of men are the work of God; Therefore they are not bad. Another example: Every thing virtuous is praife-worthy; Some pleasures are not praife-worthy; Therefore fome pleafures are not virtuous. Here the middle term praife-worthy being the predicate of both premifes, the fyllogifm is of the fecond figure; and feeing it is made up of the propofitions, A, |
