An essay on the usefulness of mathematical learning, in a letter from a gentleman in the City to his friend in Oxford / [Anon].

  • Arbuthnot, John, 1667-1735.
Date:
1701
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: An essay on the usefulness of mathematical learning, in a letter from a gentleman in the City to his friend in Oxford / [Anon]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    17/72 (page 7)
    he, who is ignorant of the nature of Ma¬ thematical Analyfis, ufes a method lome- what Analogous to it. The Compofition of the Geometers, or their method of de- monftrating truths already found out, viz. by Definitions of words agreed upon, by Self-evident truths find Propoftions that have been already demonjl rated, is practicable in other lubjedts, tho’ not to the lame perfection, the natural want of evidence in the things themlelves not allowing it; but it is imitable to a confiderable degree. I dare appeal to feme writings of our own Age and Nation, the Au¬ thors of which have been Mathematically incluied. I fliall add no more on this head, but that one, who is accuftomed to the methodical Syftems of truths, which the Geometers have reared up in the le- veral branches of thole Sciences, which they have cultivated, will hardly bear with the confufion and diforder of other Sciences, but endeavour as far as he can to reform them. Thirdly, Mathematical knowledge adds a manly vigour to the Mind, frees it from prejudice, credulity, and fuperflition. This it does two ways, ifi. by accuftom- ing us to examine, and not to take things upon