JB/018/146/001

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10 May 1815
Chrest. Tab. II Conclusion?

Carnot Reflexions sur la Metaphysique du Calcul infinitesimal
Note sur les Quantites negatives: pp 216-25 to 252

A negative quantity taken fo per se has
it seems been taken for the subject of a definition: viz.
a definition in the ordinary sense of the word definition, viz.
per genus et differentiam. But applied to this subject a
definition per genus et differentiam is self-contradictory
and impossible. It refers to a class or genus of real existences
that the article which by the supposition the existence of which is purely
fictitious.

A positive quantity is a real entity: a negative
quantity is a fictitious entity. No fictitious entity belongs can belong
to any class of real entities: a proposition asserting that
it does is a self contradictory proposition.

What mode of exposition therefore is it that is suitable
to the nature of a negative quantity taken per se? The
mode termed by J.B. paraphrasis, and of which an explanation is
given in the Fragment on Government.

Of every fictitious entity it being of the very essence
not to be real or to speak more strictly it being of the
very essence of every name of fictitious entity to be the
name of an entity which is not real – to be not to be
the name of a real entity i.e. not to belong to any class
or genus of real entities, hence it that the if it be itself
a genus generalissimum it is impossible that a definition
per genus et differentiam should be given of it. For the genus
generalissmum if real entities is it of the name of a real a name of real
entity the name it is the name employed for the designation of
all real entities put together.

Identifier: | JB/018/146/001 "JB/" can not be assigned to a declared number type with value 18.
Date_1	1815-05-10	Marginal Summary Numbering	not numbered
Box	018	Main Headings	chrestomathia
Folio number	146	Info in main headings field	chrest. table ii conclusion?
Image	001	Titles
Category	text sheet	Number of Pages	1
Recto/Verso	recto	Page Numbering	c1
Penner	jeremy bentham	Watermarks
Marginals	jeremy bentham	Paper Producer
Corrections		Paper Produced in Year
Notes public	[[notes_public::"omitt in praesente?" [note in bentham's hand]]]	ID Number	6555
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