Book contents
- Frontmatter
- PREFACE
- Contents
- CHAPTER I NATURE AND DESIGN OF THIS WORK
- CHAPTER II SIGNS AND THEIR LAWS
- CHAPTER III DERIVATION OF THE LAWS
- CHAPTER IV DIVISION OF PROPOSITIONS
- CHAPTER V PRINCIPLES OF SYMBOLICAL REASONING
- CHAPTER VI OF INTERPRETATION
- CHAPTER VII OF ELIMINATION
- CHAPTER VIII OF REDUCTION
- CHAPTER IX METHODS OF ABBREVIATION
- CHAPTER X CONDITIONS OF A PERFECT METHOD
- CHAPTER XI OF SECONDARY PROPOSITIONS
- CHAPTER XII METHODS IN SECONDARY PROPOSITIONS
- CHAPTER XIII CLARKE AND SPINOZA
- CHAPTER XIV EXAMPLE OF ANALYSIS
- CHAPTER XV OF THE ARISTOTELIAN LOGIC
- CHAPTER XVI OF THE THEORY OF PROBABILITIES
- CHAPTER XVII GENERAL METHOD IN PROBABILITIES
- CHAPTER XVIII ELEMENTARY ILLUSTRATIONS
- CHAPTER XIX OF STATISTICAL CONDITIONS
- CHAPTER XX PROBLEMS ON CAUSES
- CHAPTER XXI PROBABILITY OF JUDGMENTS
- CHAPTER XXII CONSTITUTION OF THE INTELLECT
- ERRATA
CHAPTER X - CONDITIONS OF A PERFECT METHOD
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 November 2011
- Frontmatter
- PREFACE
- Contents
- CHAPTER I NATURE AND DESIGN OF THIS WORK
- CHAPTER II SIGNS AND THEIR LAWS
- CHAPTER III DERIVATION OF THE LAWS
- CHAPTER IV DIVISION OF PROPOSITIONS
- CHAPTER V PRINCIPLES OF SYMBOLICAL REASONING
- CHAPTER VI OF INTERPRETATION
- CHAPTER VII OF ELIMINATION
- CHAPTER VIII OF REDUCTION
- CHAPTER IX METHODS OF ABBREVIATION
- CHAPTER X CONDITIONS OF A PERFECT METHOD
- CHAPTER XI OF SECONDARY PROPOSITIONS
- CHAPTER XII METHODS IN SECONDARY PROPOSITIONS
- CHAPTER XIII CLARKE AND SPINOZA
- CHAPTER XIV EXAMPLE OF ANALYSIS
- CHAPTER XV OF THE ARISTOTELIAN LOGIC
- CHAPTER XVI OF THE THEORY OF PROBABILITIES
- CHAPTER XVII GENERAL METHOD IN PROBABILITIES
- CHAPTER XVIII ELEMENTARY ILLUSTRATIONS
- CHAPTER XIX OF STATISTICAL CONDITIONS
- CHAPTER XX PROBLEMS ON CAUSES
- CHAPTER XXI PROBABILITY OF JUDGMENTS
- CHAPTER XXII CONSTITUTION OF THE INTELLECT
- ERRATA
Summary
OF THE CONDITIONS OF A PERFECT METHOD.
1. The subject of Primary Propositions has been discussed at length, and we are about to enter upon the consideration of Secondary Propositions. The interval of transition between these two great divisions of the science of Logic may afford a fit occasion for us to pause, and while reviewing some of the past steps of our progress, to inquire what it is that in a subject like that with which we have been occupied constitutes perfection of method. I do not here speak of that perfection only which consists in power, but of that also which is founded in the conception of what is fit and beautiful. It is probable that a careful analysis of this question would conduct us to some such conclusion as the following, viz., that a perfect method should not only be an efficient one, as respects the accomplishment of the objects for which it is designed, but should in all its parts and processes manifest a certain unity and harmony. This conception would be most fully realized if even the very forms of the method were suggestive of the fundamental principles, and if possible of the one fundamental principle, upon which they are founded. In applying these considerations to the science of Reasoning, it may be well to extend our view beyond the mere analytical processes, and to inquire what is best as respects not only the mode or form of deduction, but also the system of data or premises from which the deduction is to be made.
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- Information
- An Investigation of the Laws of ThoughtOn Which Are Founded the Mathematical Theories of Logic and Probabilities, pp. 150 - 158Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2009First published in: 1854