Principles of Political EconomyPerry, Arthur Latham
General
Principles of Political Economy
Perry, Arthur Latham
Economics
Thus, the class of the Exact Sciences consists only of the formal
Logic, and pure Mathematics. These two are distinct from all other
sciences, because their logical method of procedure is wholly
Deductive. Deduction is the process of the mind, by which we pass from
a _general_ truth to a _particular_ case under it, that is to say,
from _more_ to _less_ inclusive propositions. Stuart Mill argues at
much length in his book on Logic, that even the axioms of pure
Mathematics are originally gained by Induction, while others claim
that the truth of these axioms is perceived _intuitively_, but no
matter how this point is decided, the construction process of the Pure
Mathematics is from the General to the Particular. So it is also with
the Aristotelian logic, whose Major Premise, whether only _supposed_
to be true or intuitively _perceived_ or inductively _proved_ is
always General in its terms. This is the form of Aristotle's
Syllogism:--All sinners deserve to be punished; John is a sinner; and
therefore, John deserves punishment.
Physical Sciences are those concerned with the classifications and
laws of action belonging to material substances. There are a great
circle of these, of which Astronomy, Botany, and Chemistry, may serve
as examples. They have been mostly developed since the time, and in
accordance with the methods, of Lord Bacon; who, in strong reaction
against the Deductive logic of Aristotle, exalted Induction or the
mode of generalizing from _particulars_, as the true way of building
up Sciences; and, as the subject-matter of each of the physical
sciences is well open to observation and experiment, to Induction and
Deduction, and to corrective verifications, both inductive and
deductive, the new method proved remarkably pregnant and successful.
Each of these sciences has a distinct _Class_ of objects or phenomena
to which its attention is directed; the class is circumscribed by the
scientific Conception and Definition; its devotees as a rule are
skilled in using the Baconian tools; and consequently, its conclusions
receive the confidence and control the action of men. All of the
Physical Sciences are constantly enlarging "the body of exact
definitions and sound principles" connected with their several classes
"of facts or phenomena."
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