An anatomical disquisition on the motion of the heart & blood in animalsHarvey, William
Science
An anatomical disquisition on the motion of the heart & blood in animals
Harvey, William
Blood -- Circulation
Were nothing to be acknowledged by the senses without evidence
derived from reason, or occasionally even contrary to the previously
received conclusions of reason, there would now be no problem left
for discussion. Had we not our most perfect assurances by the senses,
and were not their perceptions confirmed by reasoning, in the same
way as geometricians proceed with their figures, we should admit no
science of any kind; for it is the business of geometry, from things
sensible, to make rational demonstration of things that are not
sensible; to render credible or certain things abstruse and beyond
sense from things more manifest and better known. Aristotle counsels
us better when, in treating of the generation of bees, he says:[51]
“Faith is to be given to reason, if the matters demonstrated agree
with those that are perceived by the senses; when the things have been
thoroughly scrutinized, then are the senses to be trusted rather than
the reason.” Whence it is our duty to approve or disapprove, to receive
or reject everything only after the most careful examination; but to
examine, to test whether anything have been well or ill advanced, to
ascertain whether some falsehood does not lurk under a proposition, it
is imperative on us to bring it to the proof of sense, and to admit or
reject it on the decision of sense. Whence Plato in his Critias says,
that the explanation of those things is not difficult of which we can
have experience; whilst they are not of apt scientific apprehension who
have no experience.
[51] De Generat. Animal. lib. iii, cap. x.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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