ELEMENTS OF THE HISTORY OF PHILOSOPHY AND SCIENCE. INTRODUCTION. SECTION I. PRELIMINARY AND EXPLANATORY REMARKS. 1. THE department of History, which the present work is intended to embrace, is most extensive, and perpetually increasing in interest and in importance. To trace back knowledge to its source-to mark (if it be possible) the precise points, from which all the innumerable rays of science have diverged, by which the world has been illumined, and the directions they have severally taken-to observe the progress of the human mind through all its successive stages of improvement, from the first and feeblest efforts of human genius, to its boldest flights and loftiest elevation-to survey attentively the æras which have been most memorable, and the individuals who have been most celebrated in the annals of philosophy and science;-these are objects B which cannot fail to interest the intellectual enquirer, far more than the afflicting details of human vice and misery, with which the pages of general history have too commonly been filled. Especially is it desirable in a day like the present, in which new and important discoveries are continually making in almost every department of general knowledge, that the earliest indications should be observed of those intellectual advances, which have contributed, in no ordinary degree, to the improvement of society, and the happiness of mankind. 2. Many are the gradations through which the mind of man must necessarily pass, in advancing from that state of barbarism and ignorance, in which the great mass of the population of our globe once was, to that high degree of civilization and refinement, which many amongst them have subsequently attained. In some cases the process was slow and almost imperceptible; in others, it has been rapid and brilliant, so that its course may be distinctly traced. The stream of knowledge has, at some periods, gently flowed from land to land, becoming wider and deeper as its course extended; at others, it burst forth, like an impetuous torrent, with mighty and resistless energy, surmounting every obstacle, and bearing down all opposition. In almost every instance, however, it will be found that the origin of the arts and sciences is veiled in impenetrable obscurity; nor is it till considerable advances had been made in them, or some distinguished individual arose, who gave celebrity, by his genius and talents, to the science in which he excelled, that the historian is able even to ascertain their existence and subsequently to the period of their commencement, in endeavouring to describe their progress, it is amidst much uncertainty and many fabulous traditions, that he can make his way to the clear day-light of historic truth. 3. The terms PHILOSOPHY and SCIENCE, have sometimes been confounded, though they have obviously an appropriate and definite signification. It may not indeed be necessary that the distinction between them should, on all occasions, be distinctly marked; nor will it perhaps be found that, in the following pages, that distinction has been uniformly preserved with logical accuracy; but at the commencement of a work professedly designed to give an outline of the history both of philosophy and science, it is manifestly proper that their precise import should be explained, and their respective boundaries defined. The term Philosophy was primarily used to denote the pursuit of Wisdom, and applied indiscriminately to every object of human knowledge. It comprehended all the subjects of investigation, about which the powers of the human understanding can be employed,-whether physical, intellectual, or moral,-whether speculative, theoretical, or practical. Originally all men of learning, however slender their attainments might be, were dignified with the appellation of oopot, or Wise Men. But in process of time this truly honourable title fell into discredit, having been assumed by mere pretenders to knowledge and erudition; so that the name, which was at first an enviable distinction, became a term of obloquy and an occasion of reproach. This led the more intelligent and modest among the ancient men of letters to appropriate to themselves the appellation of Philosophers, as indicating that they were rather to be accounted the admirers of wisdom, and persons ardently engaged in its pursuit, than in actual possession of this invaluable treasure. But many years had not elapsed, ere this title also became as perverted and degraded, as that which had preceded it, insomuch that every inventor of a new theory, however absurd and frivolous, assumed to himself the name of a Philosopher. The abuse of a term is, however, no just argument against its proper and legitimate use. If the definitions of the illustrious Bacon be correct, who terms it, in one part of his admirable writings, "Scientia rerum cum causis," and in another place," Interpretatio naturæ ;” if its primary object be the discovery and development of truth, and if its influence and tendency be to improve the condition and augment the happiness of man, by increasing his knowledge of God, of himself, and of the world which he inhabits,--it may well deserve the ardent and unwearied pursuit of every intelligent mind. 4. SCIENCE, as its very etymology would indicate, bears nearly the same relation to knowledge, which Philosophy bears to Wisdom. It has to do with facts rather than principles; with practice, rather than abstract reasonings and speculations. While Philosophy is employed in the contemplation of physical or moral truths, for the purpose of developing and explaining their hidden causes, their essential or accidental properties, their mutual relations and modes of existence, it is the province of Science, properly so called, to bring these principles to bear on the convenience and comfort of mankind, to prove their utility, and to suggest methods of improvement. Thus, while Philosophy investigates the grounds of human judgment, or the fundamental laws of human belief, the Science of Logic shews how they may be best applied to the purposes of correct reasoning, and the elucidation or demonstration of truth. If this representation be correct, it will be evident, that while Philosophy and Science have their distinct provinces, they are, at the same time, necessarily and intimately connected,---that every genuine philosopher will be, to a certain extent, a man of science,--and that whoever excels in any department of science, contributes essentially to the advancement of philosophical knowledge. 5. It will, of course, be impossible that a professedly elementary work, taking so wide a range as the present, should include all, or even a thousandth part of that immense mass of information, which might, with the utmost propriety, be introduced into a History of Philosophy and Science. Such a work might not improperly comprehend a survey of all the doctrines and opinions of men, in all ages and countries, on philosophical and scientific subjects, a review of the systems which have been devised and propagated,-and a development of all the discoveries which have been made in every department of physical and moral science, or in the useful and ornamental arts, together with their - |