JB/149/346/001

Click Here To Edit

The common method of defining — the method per genus & differentiam,
as logicians call it, will, in many cases, not at all answer the
purpose. Among abstract terms we soon come to such as have
no superior genus. A definition, per genus & differentium, when applied
to these, it is manifest, can make no advance: it must
either stop short, or turn-back, as it were, upon itself, in a
circulate or a repetend.

"Fortitude is a virtue:" — Very well: — but what is a
virtue? "Virtue is a disposition:" — Good again: — but what
is a disposition? "A disposition is a ---;" and there we stop. The
fact is, a disposition has no superior genus: a disposition is not a
---, any thing: — this is not the way to give us any notion
of what is meant by it." A power," again, "is a right:" and
what is a right? It is a power. — An estate is an interest,
says our Author somewhere; where he begins defining an estate
— as well might he have said an interest was an estate. As well,
in short, were it to define in this manner, a conjunction or a
preposition. As well were it to say of the preposition through or
of the conjunction because; a through is a ---, or a because is
a ---, and so go on defining them.

Of this stamp, by the bye, are some of his most fundamental
definitions: of consequence they must leave the
reader where they found him.

Identifier: | JB/149/346/001 "JB/" can not be assigned to a declared number type with value 149.
Date_1		Marginal Summary Numbering
Box	149	Main Headings
Folio number	346	Info in main headings field
Image	001	Titles
Category	copy/fair copy sheet	Number of Pages	1
Recto/Verso	recto	Page Numbering
Penner		Watermarks
Marginals		Paper Producer
Corrections		Paper Produced in Year
Notes public		ID Number	50200
Box Contents