In the case of unequal catheti also, and indeed generally in the case of
every possible geometrical truth, it is quite possible to obtain such a
conviction based on perception, because these truths were always
discovered by such an empirically known necessity, and their demonstration
was only thought out afterwards in addition. Thus we only require an
analysis of the process of thought in the first discovery of a geometrical
truth in order to know its necessity empirically. It is the analytical
method in general that I wish for the exposition of mathematics, instead
of the synthetical method which Euclid made use of. Yet this would have
very great, though not insuperable, difficulties in the case of
complicated mathematical truths. Here and there in Germany men are
beginning to alter the exposition of mathematics, and to proceed more in
this analytical way. The greatest effort in this direction has been made
by Herr Kosack, teacher of mathematics and physics in the Gymnasium at
Nordhausen, who added a thorough attempt to teach geometry according to my
principles to the programme of the school examination on the 6th of April
1852.
In order to improve the method of mathematics, it is especially necessary
to overcome the prejudice that demonstrated truth has any superiority over
what is known through perception, or that logical truth founded upon the
principle of contradiction has any superiority over metaphysical truth,
which is immediately evident, and to which belongs the pure intuition or
perception of space.