第 17 节
作者:独来读网      更新:2021-02-25 00:21      字数:9321
  the fact of a connexion。 Now definition reveals essential nature;
  demonstration reveals that a given attribute attaches or does not
  attach to a given subject; but different things require different
  demonstrations…unless the one demonstration is related to the other as
  part to whole。 I add this because if all triangles have been proved to
  possess angles equal to two right angles; then this attribute has been
  proved to attach to isosceles; for isosceles is a part of which all
  triangles constitute the whole。 But in the case before us the fact and
  the essential nature are not so related to one another; since the
  one is not a part of the other。
  So it emerges that not all the definable is demonstrable nor all the
  demonstrable definable; and we may draw the general conclusion that
  there is no identical object of which it is possible to possess both a
  definition and a demonstration。 It follows obviously that definition
  and demonstration are neither identical nor contained either within
  the other: if they were; their objects would be related either as
  identical or as whole and part。
  4
  So much; then; for the first stage of our problem。 The next step
  is to raise the question whether syllogism…i。e。 demonstration…of the
  definable nature is possible or; as our recent argument assumed;
  impossible。
  We might argue it impossible on the following grounds:…(a) syllogism
  proves an attribute of a subject through the middle term; on the other
  hand (b) its definable nature is both 'peculiar' to a subject and
  predicated of it as belonging to its essence。 But in that case (1) the
  subject; its definition; and the middle term connecting them must be
  reciprocally predicable of one another; for if A is to C; obviously
  A is 'peculiar' to B and B to C…in fact all three terms are 'peculiar'
  to one another: and further (2) if A inheres in the essence of all B
  and B is predicated universally of all C as belonging to C's
  essence; A also must be predicated of C as belonging to its essence。
  If one does not take this relation as thus duplicated…if; that is; A
  is predicated as being of the essence of B; but B is not of the
  essence of the subjects of which it is predicated…A will not
  necessarily be predicated of C as belonging to its essence。 So both
  premisses will predicate essence; and consequently B also will be
  predicated of C as its essence。 Since; therefore; both premisses do
  predicate essence…i。e。 definable form…C's definable form will appear
  in the middle term before the conclusion is drawn。
  We may generalize by supposing that it is possible to prove the
  essential nature of man。 Let C be man; A man's essential
  naturetwo…footed animal; or aught else it may be。 Then; if we are to
  syllogize; A must be predicated of all B。 But this premiss will be
  mediated by a fresh definition; which consequently will also be the
  essential nature of man。 Therefore the argument assumes what it has to
  prove; since B too is the essential nature of man。 It is; however; the
  case in which there are only the two premisses…i。e。 in which the
  premisses are primary and immediate…which we ought to investigate;
  because it best illustrates the point under discussion。
  Thus they who prove the essential nature of soul or man or
  anything else through reciprocating terms beg the question。 It would
  be begging the question; for example; to contend that the soul is that
  which causes its own life; and that what causes its own life is a
  self…moving number; for one would have to postulate that the soul is a
  self…moving number in the sense of being identical with it。 For if A
  is predicable as a mere consequent of B and B of C; A will not on that
  account be the definable form of C: A will merely be what it was
  true to say of C。 Even if A is predicated of all B inasmuch as B is
  identical with a species of A; still it will not follow: being an
  animal is predicated of being a man…since it is true that in all
  instances to be human is to be animal; just as it is also true that
  every man is an animal…but not as identical with being man。
  We conclude; then; that unless one takes both the premisses as
  predicating essence; one cannot infer that A is the definable form and
  essence of C: but if one does so take them; in assuming B one will
  have assumed; before drawing the conclusion; what the definable form
  of C is; so that there has been no inference; for one has begged the
  question。
  5
  Nor; as was said in my formal logic; is the method of division a
  process of inference at all; since at no point does the
  characterization of the subject follow necessarily from the
  premising of certain other facts: division demonstrates as little as
  does induction。 For in a genuine demonstration the conclusion must not
  be put as a question nor depend on a concession; but must follow
  necessarily from its premisses; even if the respondent deny it。 The
  definer asks 'Is man animal or inanimate?' and then assumes…he has not
  inferred…that man is animal。 Next; when presented with an exhaustive
  division of animal into terrestrial and aquatic; he assumes that man
  is terrestrial。 Moreover; that man is the complete formula;
  terrestrial…animal; does not follow necessarily from the premisses:
  this too is an assumption; and equally an assumption whether the
  division comprises many differentiae or few。 (Indeed as this method of
  division is used by those who proceed by it; even truths that can be
  inferred actually fail to appear as such。) For why should not the
  whole of this formula be true of man; and yet not exhibit his
  essential nature or definable form? Again; what guarantee is there
  against an unessential addition; or against the omission of the
  final or of an intermediate determinant of the substantial being?
  The champion of division might here urge that though these lapses do
  occur; yet we can solve that difficulty if all the attributes we
  assume are constituents of the definable form; and if; postulating the
  genus; we produce by division the requisite uninterrupted sequence
  of terms; and omit nothing; and that indeed we cannot fail to fulfil
  these conditions if what is to be divided falls whole into the
  division at each stage; and none of it is omitted; and that this…the
  dividendum…must without further question be (ultimately) incapable
  of fresh specific division。 Nevertheless; we reply; division does
  not involve inference; if it gives knowledge; it gives it in another
  way。 Nor is there any absurdity in this: induction; perhaps; is not
  demonstration any more than is division; et it does make evident
  some truth。 Yet to state a definition reached by division is not to
  state a conclusion: as; when conclusions are drawn without their
  appropriate middles; the alleged necessity by which the inference
  follows from the premisses is open to a question as to the reason
  for it; so definitions reached by division invite the same question。
  Thus to the question 'What is the essential nature of man?' the
  divider replies 'Animal; mortal; footed; biped; wingless'; and when at
  each step he is asked 'Why?'; he will say; and; as he thinks; proves
  by division; that all animal is mortal or immortal: but such a formula
  taken in its entirety is not definition; so that even if division does
  demonstrate its formula; definition at any rate does not turn out to
  be a conclusion of inference。
  6
  Can we nevertheless actually demonstrate what a thing essentially
  and substantially is; but hypothetically; i。e。 by premising (1) that
  its definable form is constituted by the 'peculiar' attributes of
  its essential nature; (2) that such and such are the only attributes
  of its essential nature; and that the complete synthesis of them is
  peculiar to the thing; and thus…since in this synthesis consists the
  being of the thing…obtaining our conclusion? Or is the truth that;
  since proof must be through the middle term; the definable form is
  once more assumed in this minor premiss too?
  Further; just as in syllogizing we do not premise what syllogistic
  inference is (since the premisses from which we conclude must be
  related as whole and part); so the definable form must not fall within
  the syllogism but remain outside the premisses posited。 It is only
  against a doubt as to its having been a syllogistic inference at all
  that we have to defend