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LOGIC.

others it ends best with the pathetic part of a discourse .—See Blair.

LO.GIC. *

Definition.—Logic is a science which directs us in thepursuit,of truth; pointing out the proper mode to discri-minate between truth and falsehood, however specious theappearance of the latter. It leads us through the labyrinthof error to rectitude of conception, or its definition wouldbe correct, should we say — It is the history of the humanmind, it traces the progress ai knowledge from the mostsimple of conceptions through every different combinationand their numerous deductions, the result of various com-parisons, one with another. The precise business of Logic is to explain the nature of the human mind, the propermanner of conducting its several powers, to attain truthand knowledge. It exposes those errors we are, throughinattention, liable to run into; teaches us to discriminatebetween verity, and what wears its appearance only. Bywhich means, we become acquainted with the nature ofthe understanding, see what lies within its reach, where wemay attain certainty, and also where we must be content withprobability. The science is divided into four parts, per-ception, judgment, reasoning, and method, which we shallbriefly touch upon presently.

Its Origin. —It is a science which emanated from thatwonder of human nature,—was produced by the most con-summate philosophical genius, which has yet been mani-fested, Aristotle . His ingenious mind conceived, andhis astonishing systematic capacity perfected it, about 2163years ago. According to the simplicity of that age, hissystem was very brief, consisting of a prcenium, or intro-duction, and three chapters only : the 1st, on simple appre-hension, or perception ; 2d, on complex perception, propo-sitions, and simple judgment; and the 3d, on syllogisticarrangement and discussion: with some conclusive observa-tions on the use of logic. This science was subsequentlyenlarged, and we suppose improved upon, by numerous har.ds,in various pei iods, between that time and the present.

Part I. — Perception. — As we are on every sdesurrounded by an immense variety of objects which mikevarious impressions, and also operate differently uoonour sensitive nature ; consequently they convey a variety ofimpressions, called perceptions to the mind, and at thesame time awaken the powers of the understanding.

By reflecting upon these sensations, we become sensble