Outlines of moral philosophy / by Dugald Stewart.

  • Stewart, Dugald, 1753-1828.
Date:
1845
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Outlines of moral philosophy / by Dugald Stewart. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    cism can only be corrected, by applying to these subjects the method of induction. 11. As all our knowledge of the material world rests ultimately on facts ascertained by observation, so all our knowledge of the human mind rests ultimately on facts for which we have the evidence of our own consciousness. An attentive examination of such facts will lead in time to the general principles of the human constitution, and will gradually form a science of mind not inferior in certainty to the science of body. Of this species of investigation, the works of Dr Reid furnish many valuable ex- amples. 12. The objections which have been stated by some writers of the present age to the con- elusions of those metaphysicians Who have at- _ tempted to apply the method of induction to the science of mind, are perfectly similar to the charge which was at first brought against the Newtonian doctrine of gravitation, as being a re- vival of the occult qualities of the Aristotelians. In all our inquiries, whether they relate to mat- ter or to mind, the business of philosophy is confined to a reference of particular facts to other facts more general; and our most success- ful researches must always terminate in the discovery of some law of nature, of which no explanation can be given,