IV. تهذيب المنطق EXTRACTS from the or "ESSENCE of LOGIC," proposed as a small SUPPLEMENT to Arabic and Persian Grammar; and with a view to elucidate certain Points connected with Oriental Literature. BY FRANCIS BALFOUR, Esq. INTRODUCTION. ALTHOUGH the works of ARISTOTLE were translated into Arabic many centuries ago, and there be no doubt that the system of logic generally ascribed to him constitutes, at this time, the logic of all the nations of Asia who possess the Mahommedan faith, yet I do not find that this point has been directly confirmed by translations from the Arabic or Persian into the languages of Europe. At least none that I know of have appeared in India. The following extracts taken from a Persian translation of the Tehzeeb ul Mantik, or Essence of Logic, an Arabic treatise of considerable repute, seem to place this question beyond doubt, by their close coincidence in every point with the system referred to ARISTOTLE. To the logical system of this wonderful genius, modern philosophers of distinguished eminence, and amongst these, Lord KAIMES, have not hesitated to impute the blame of retarding the progress of science and improvement in Europe for two thousand years, by holding the reasoning faculty constrained and cramped by the fetters of syllogism. From some of the extracts contained in this paper, it will appear, 1st. That the mode of reasoning by Induction, illustrated and improved by the great Lord VERULAM, in his Organum Novum; and generally considered as the cause of the rapid progress of science in later times, was perfectly known to ARISTOTLE, and was distinctly delineated by him, as a method of investigation that leads to certainty or truth *; and 2dly, that ARISTOTLE was likewise perfectly acquainted, not merely with the form of Induction, but with the proper materials to be employed in carrying it on-Facts and Experiments. We are therefore led to infer, that all the blame of confining the human mind for so long a time in chains by the forms of syllogism, cannot be fairly imputed to ARISTOTLE; nor all the merit of enlarging it and setting it free, ascribed to Lord VERULAM. The vast extent of ARISTOTLE'S learning and knowledge, and the singular strength and penetration of his mind having, naturally, encouraged him to undertake a complete analysis of all its powers, the doctrine of syllogism became, of course, a constituent and necessary part of his comprehensive system. And if succeeding philosophers attracted by its ingenuity and beauty, have deserted the substance in pursuit of the shadow, the pernicious consequences of this delusion, cannot, justly, be referred to him . * Vide the Section of Induction. + Vide the Section of the matter of Syllogism, On the 6th of July 1803, when this paper was delivered to the Asiatick Society, I had heard of Dr. GILLIES's admirable exposition of the ethics and politics of ARISTOTLE; but had never been fortunate enough to meet with it, or to know any thing of his sentiments on this question, until the 12th of November, when the accidental sale of a private library gave me an opportu nity of purchasing it. From the perusal of this wonderful book, I have now the satisfaction to discover, that the conjectures which I had been led to draw from these scanty materials, are completely confirmed by the opinion of an author, who is probably better qualified than any preceding commentator on ARISTOTLE's works to decide on this subject.-Vide GILLIES' ARISTOTLE, Vol. I. page 68. 76. 78, 79, &c. The discussion of these points, being in some degree curious, and not altogether unconnected with the pursuit of Oriental literature, may not be unacceptable to this Society. But, taken in another view, I conceive that they may become in some respect useful. A scientific analysis of the reasoning faculty, delineating all its powers and operations, and affixing to each an appropriated form of expression, gives, naturally, to those who acquire it, a mode of thinking that is accurate and profound; and establishes amongst the learned a pecnliar style, more precise and enlightened than that which is employed by the multitude in the common transactions of life. By assisting the Oriental student to attain this degree of improvement, I have flattered myself that these extracts may become useful. This is the motive that first induced me to take the trouble of translating them into English; and they are now submitted to the Society, not as a part of metaphysical learning, but as a more advanced stage of grammar and syntax and therefore as a Supplement that may contribute to form a more complete system of Arabic and Persian Philology. Whilst grammar and syntax teach only, generally the various forms of words and sentences, logic, proceeding further, may be considered as the art of selecting words and arranging sentences into all the forms that are required, for expressing with precision, the different steps and operations of the reasoning faculty; and therefore as the highest and most important degree of classical improvement. |