Essays and treatises on several subjects, Volumen2For Bell & Bradfute, 1817 |
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Página 5
... age , but have not been able to sup- port their renown with more equitable posterity . It is easy for a profound philosopher to commit a mistake in his sub- tile reasonings ; and one mistake is the necessary parent of another , while he ...
... age , but have not been able to sup- port their renown with more equitable posterity . It is easy for a profound philosopher to commit a mistake in his sub- tile reasonings ; and one mistake is the necessary parent of another , while he ...
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... age and nation where the sciences flourish , than to be entirely destitute of all relish for those noble entertainments . The most perfect character is supposed to lie between those extremes ; retaining an equal ability and taste for ...
... age and nation where the sciences flourish , than to be entirely destitute of all relish for those noble entertainments . The most perfect character is supposed to lie between those extremes ; retaining an equal ability and taste for ...
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... ages . Each adventurous genius will still leap at the arduous prize , and find himself stimulated , rather than discouraged , by the failures of his predecessors ; while he hopes that the glory of achieving so hard an adventure is ...
... ages . Each adventurous genius will still leap at the arduous prize , and find himself stimulated , rather than discouraged , by the failures of his predecessors ; while he hopes that the glory of achieving so hard an adventure is ...
Página 38
... ages , should have employed themselves in fruitless search upon any subject , it may still , perhaps , be rash to conclude positively , that the subject must therefore pass all human comprehension . Even though we examine all the ...
... ages , should have employed themselves in fruitless search upon any subject , it may still , perhaps , be rash to conclude positively , that the subject must therefore pass all human comprehension . Even though we examine all the ...
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... ages ; yet some fact must always be present to the senses or memo- ry , from which we may first proceed in drawing these con- clusions . A man , who should find in a desert country the remains of pompous buildings , would conclude ...
... ages ; yet some fact must always be present to the senses or memo- ry , from which we may first proceed in drawing these con- clusions . A man , who should find in a desert country the remains of pompous buildings , would conclude ...
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Términos y frases comunes
actions agreeable allowed appear approbation argument arise ascribe Athenians authority beauty believe body cerning character Cicero circumstances common conceive concerning conclusion conduct conjoined connection consequences consider constant conjunction contrary course of nature degree Deity derived discover dispute distinction divine endeavour entirely Epicurus esteem event evidence excite existence experience farther feel force friendship give happiness Hesiod human nature idea imagination immediately inference influence inquiry instance intelligent ject justice kind laws mankind manner matter of fact ment merit mind miracle moral motion necessity neral never object observe operation opinion opposite origin ourselves particular passions person philosophers pleasure Plutarch Polybius polytheism possessed present pretend pride principles produce qualities racters reason reflection regard relation relations of ideas religion render rience scepticism seems sense sensible sentiment sion society species superstition supposed Tacitus testimony theism thing thought tion tural vanity virtue
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Página 165 - When we run over libraries, persuaded of these principles, what havoc must we make ? If we take in our hand any volume ; of divinity or school metaphysics, for instance; let us ask, Does it contain any abstract reasoning concerning quantity or number ? No. Does it contain any experimental reasoning concerning matter of fact and existence ? No. Commit it then to the flames ; for it can contain nothing but sophistry and illusion.
Página 113 - There must, therefore, be a uniform experience against every miraculous event, otherwise the event would not merit that appellation. And as a uniform experience amounts to a proof, there is here a direct and full proof, from the nature of the fact, against the existence of any miracle...
Página 114 - ... of such -credit and reputation in the eyes of mankind, as to have a great deal to lose in case of their being detected in any falsehood ; and at the same time attesting facts, performed in such a public manner, and in so celebrated a part of the world, as to render the detection unavoidable : All which circumstances are requisite to give us a full assurance in the testimony of men.
Página 93 - By liberty, then, we can only mean a power of acting or not acting, according to the determinations of the will; that is, if we choose to remain at rest, we may; if we choose to move, we also may.
Página 94 - Whatever definition we may give of liberty, we should be careful to observe two requisite circumstances; first, that it be consistent with plain matter of fact; secondly, that it be consistent with itself. If we observe these circumstances, and render our definition intelligible, I am persuaded that all mankind will be found of one opinion with regard to it. It is universally allowed that nothing exists without a cause of its existence, and that chance, when strictly examined, is a mere negative...
Página 458 - Berkeley ; and indeed most of the writings of that very ingenious author, form the best lessons of scepticism which are to be found either among the ancient or modern philosophers, Bayle not excepted.
Página 113 - Why is it more than probable that all men must die; that lead cannot, of itself, remain suspended in the air; that fire consumes wood, and is extinguished by water; unless it be that these events are found agreeable to the laws of nature, and there is required a violation of these laws, or in other words a miracle, to prevent them?
Página 126 - ... no human testimony can have such force as to prove a miracle, and make it a just foundation for any such system of religion.
Página 150 - But neither is there any such original principle, which has a prerogative above others, that are selfevident and convincing: Or if there were, could we advance a step beyond it, but by the use of those very faculties, of which we are supposed to be already diffident. The Cartesian doubt, therefore, were it ever possible to be attained by any human creature (as it plainly is not) would be entirely incurable; and no reasoning could ever bring us to a state of assurance and conviction upon any subject.
Página 121 - The historian, a contemporary writer, noted for candour and veracity, and withal, the greatest and most penetrating genius perhaps of all antiquity; and so free from any tendency to credulity, that he even lies under the contrary imputation of atheism and profaneness : The persons, from whose authority he related the miracle, of established character for judgment and veracity, as we may well presume ; eyewitnesses of the fact, and confirming their testimony, after the Flavian family was despoiled...