An Essay on the Nature and Immutability of Truth, in Opposition to Sophistry and ScepticismI purpose to treat this subject in the following manner: First, I shall endeavour to trace the several kinds of Evidence and Reasoning up to their first principles; with a view to ascertain the Standard of Truth, and explain its immutability. Secondly, I shall show, that my sentiments on this head, however inconsistent with the genius of sceptiscism, and with the practice and principles of sceptical writers, are yet perfectly consistent with the genius of true philosophy, and with the practice and principles of those who are allowed to have been the most successful in the investigation of truth: concluding with some inferences or rules, by which the more important fallacies of the sceptical philosophy may be detected by every person of common sense, even tho he should not possess acuteness or metaphysical knowledge sufficient to qualify him for a logical confutation of them. Thirdly, I shall answer some objections; and make some remarks, by way of Estimate of scepticism and sceptical writers. I divide my discourse in this manner, chiefly with a view to the reader's accommodation. An exact arrangement of parts is necessary to confer elegance on a whole; but I am more studious of utility than of elegance. And though my sentiments might have been exhibited in a more systematic order, I am apt to think, that the order in which they first occurred to me is the most natural, and may be the most effectual for accomplishing my purpose. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved). |
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absurd acknowledge action admit Æneid appear argue argument Aristotle Atheism axiom believe body cause cerning certainty Cicero ciples common sense conceive confutation conscious consequence contrary conviction convinced disbelieve dispute distinction doctrine doubt effect enquiry Epictetus equally Essay evidence of sense existence experience faculties fallacious false favour feel former free agent genius heart Human Nature HUME HUME's idea imagine infer instinctive intellectual virtues intuitive judge judgment kind knowledge ledge lieve MALEBRANCHE mankind matter mean ment metaphysical metaphysician mind moral natural philosophy neral never notions object ontology opinion perceive perception perhaps person philosophy Plutarch produce proof prove Pyrrho racter rational reader reason regard religion rience scepticism sect seems sensation sentiments Socrates sophism sophistry soul suppose theory ther thing tion Treatise of Human true truth tural ture understanding universe virtue words writings Xenoph