The Monist, Vol. 2, 1891-1892 : $b A quarterly magazineVarious
Philosophy
The Monist, Vol. 2, 1891-1892 : $b A quarterly magazine
Various
Philosophy -- Periodicals
“The proof of the pudding will be found in the eating,” as our author
says. So let us say that a troft may be perceived whenever our attention
is excited, and that trofts are of multitudinous variety. Do these
assertions constitute a logical definition? It is a prime requisite for
a definition that the defining assertion or assertions shall have a
meaning, which is the same as to say that names must be employed that
are already significant. These significant names must be so used that the
intellectual sensibility shall be excited to perceive in a determinate
way that which is intended to be defined. In other words, sense and not
nonsense must be produced in the mind that considers the definition.
Perhaps, however, our author intends such words as electricity, or
spirit, or energy.
Because of the considerations above indicated and others we cannot accept
the author’s requirements for a logical definition as a whole. Some of
them are in some of his cases unnecessary, while taken together they
supply no new means whereby to solve the several problems of definition.
The author’s subjective theory of geometry is plainly the outgrowth of
his confidence in the solvent power of the concept of direction as a
prime datum of geometry.
Everything of consequence in his essay depends upon the worth of this
concept as a geometrical foundation. Considering the disparagement
that has been visited upon that concept by numerous writers of good
geometrical rank we naturally look for considerations tending to remove
the discredit that has befallen that notion. Instead however of this we
find the most palpable set of circular definitions. Direction is defined
by direction in the most distracting way, thus:
“(_a_) A direction may be conceived to be indicated by naming two points
as the direction from one to the other.”
The inaptitude of the term direction for use in geometry is rooted in
its ambiguous purport. As commonly used it means at least three distinct
but closely associated notions which become confused in thought and
expression unless the most solicitous care is taken to distinguish
them. When we speak of the direction of one point from another or of
the direction from one point to another we mean the straight off-ness
or from-ness or to-ness which one bears to the other; in other words
a relation of separation and straight mediation. When again we speak
of the direction of a motion we intend the indefinite straight sense
of its procession, which is not a relation but an attribute of the
motion. When still again we speak of the direction of a line we mean its
straight _lay_ as compared or as comparable with other actual or possible
correlates which is again a relation but not necessarily the same
relation as that that obtains between two points.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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