to be something necessary as a guide to the contents of the page, both for the pupil in reviewing the lesson, and for the teacher at the recitation. That minute and familiar acquaintance, not only with the doctrines taught in the lesson, but with the particular contents of every page and paragraph, so essential in enabling the teacher to ask his questions with fluency, very few teachers have the time to secure. The editor has accordingly added an analysis of the page in the margin. This analysis is given sometimes in questions, and sometimes in topics or titles, which can easily be put by the teacher into the form of questions if he pleases; or, what will perhaps be better, they can, at the recitation, be given to the pupil as topics, on which he is to state in substance the sentiments of the author.

In regard to the value of Dr. Abercrombie's treatise, there is, and there can be, but one opinion. Its useful tendency is most decided, both in making the pupil acquainted with his powers, and in guiding him to the most efficient and successful use of them. The effect of a proper study of this work must be highly salutary upon every mind brought under its influence; and it is a kind of effect which is exactly suited to guard against the peculiar dangers of the age.

Boston, September, 1833.

CONTENTS.

INTRODUCTION

Design of the Study

Qualifications for engaging in it.

1. Ability to understand the language of the Book

2. Ability to appreciate the Thoughts

3. Willingness to make the proper effort

Method of pursuing the study

Particular directions

PART I.

OF THE NATURE AND EXTENT OF OUR KNOWLEDGE

OF MIND.

Our Knowledge of Mind limited entirely to Facts

Ideal Theory of the Old Philosophy

Of Materialism

Grounds for considering Materialism as not only unfounded,

but as in its nature opposed to the First Principles of Philo-

sophical Inquiry

Grounds for believing that the Thinking Principle is in its Es-

sence independent of the Body, and will survive it

This Belief is entirely independent of our Speculations respect-

ing the Immateriality of the Thinking Principle, and rests on

a species of evidence altogether different

PART I I.

OF THE ORIGIN OF OUR KNOWLEDGE OF FACTS RE-

LATING BOTH TO MATTER AND MIND.

SECTION I.

SENSATION AND PERCEPTION.

Of the Primary and Secondary Properties of Matter

Knowledge of the Properties of Matter by the Senses

Of our Knowledge of Distance and Magnitude.

Apparent improvement of some Senses after loss of others

Of our Knowledge of the Nature of Perception

Remarkable Influence of Attention

Habits of Attention and Inattention

Of False Perceptions

SECTION II.

Page.

39

41

42

45

48

49

50

52

CONSCIOUSNESS AND REFLECTION.

Of the Knowledge which we derive from Consciousness and Re-

flection.

1. The Knowledge of our Mental Processes

2. Compound Notions,-as Time, Cause, Motion

3. First Truths, or Intuitive Articles of Belief

SECTION III.

TESTIMONY.

Rules by which we estimate the Credibility of Testimony

Confidence in Testimony in regard to statements at variance

with our Personal Observation or Experience.

Objections which have been made to the Reception of such State-

ments on the Evidence of Testimony.

Fallacy of these Objections, and Grounds of our Confidence in

Testimony

Distinction between Events which are marvellous and those

which are miraculous.

Moral Probability of Miracles

Miracles not a violation of the established order of Nature, but

referable to an agency altogether new and peculiar

Grounds on which we estimate the Credibility of Testimony in

regard to unusual or miraculous events

PART II I.

OF THE INTELLECTUAL OPERATIONS.

SECTION I.

MEMORY.

Page.

68

Attention.

Association

1. Natural or Philosophical Association

2. Local or Incidental Association

3. Arbitrary or Fictitious Association

Artificial Memory

Important Application of the Principle of Arbitrary

Association in Commemorative Rites

Conception, or the Memory of Perceptions

Of the Culture and Improvement of Attention, Reflection, and

Memory

Of the Influence of Disease upon Attention and Memory

Of Extensive Cerebral Disease, without Sensible Derangement

of the Mental Functions

Influence of the Facts connected with this subject in

showing the Independent Existence of the Thinking

Principle

SECTION 11.

ABSTRACTION.

Nature and Application of Abstraction

Disputes of the Nominalists and Realists

SECTION III.

IMAGINATION.

Nature and Applications of Imagination ·

Various kinds of Artificial Combination to which it is applicable

120

121

127

129

130

Importance of a Proper Application of it in the Formation of

Character

Effects of Fictitious Narrative

Effects of an ill-regulated Imagination

SECTION IV.

REASON OR JUDGMENT.

Analysis of the Mental Process of which Reason consists

Applications of Reason in the Investigations of Science, the

Affairs of Common Life, and the Formation of Opinions

Man's Responsibility for his Belief

Farther Division of the Subject.-Brief Outline of the System of

Dr. Brown

§ I. -OF THE USE OF REASON IN THE INVESTIGATION OF

TRUTH.

Of First Truths, or Intuitive Articles of Belief, as the Founda

tion of all Reasoning

Page.

131

132

132

134

138

142

144

145

1. A Belief in our own Existence, and of Mind as some-

thing distinct from the Body

146

2. A Confidence in the Information furnished by our

Senses

146

3. A Confidence in our Mental Operations

4. A Belief of our Personal Identity

147

147

5. A Conviction that every Event must have a Cause

147

6. A Confidence in the Uniformity of Nature

Uniformity of Physical Relations

148

148

Uniformity of Moral Relations

Application to the Question of Liberty and Ne-

cessity

Of the Nature and Importance of First Truths, and Sophisms

connected with attempts to reason against them

Laws of Investigation in any Department of Knowledge

1. Of collecting Facts

2. Of tracing the Relation of Cause and Effect

3. Of deducing General Principles

Of Fallacies in Investigation

Fallacies in regard to Facts

False Induction

False Reasoning

Of the Nature of Reasoning

Of the Syllogism and its Uses