6 EDWARD D. SIMMONS 



scientific method which is not generally logical. Clearly, the 

 investigation into general logical method is methodology in one 

 sense, while the investigation into the precise method of any 

 given scientific inquiry is methodology in another (related) 

 sense. We can refer to the former as general methodology and 

 the latter as particular or special methodology.^ 



In this paper we shall concern ourselves with the role of the 

 self-evident proposition in the theory of demonstration. This 

 is a study in general methodology. The point made will be 

 of a common character, and the methodological principles 

 uncovered will be only generally relevant for scientific inquiry. 

 In every case an appropriate contraction of the doctrine pre- 

 sented will be necessary before it is proximately adequate to 

 any given scientific effort. Before proceeding, however, there 

 remains one more distinction to be made, the better to locate 

 the discussion of this paper. General methodology is identical 

 with logical theory, and, as such, admits of the distinction 

 between formal and material logic. This is a distinction which is 

 both legitimate and significant, but it is a distinction which 

 is frequently misunderstood. Although it is a distinction which 

 should be made within the limits of general logical theory, it is 

 not infrequently understood in such a way that formal logic is 

 identified with general methodology while material logic is asso- 

 ciated intrinsically with particular scientific methodology. This 

 mistaken view makes logic less than adequate to the demands 

 of reason even in abstraction from the particular demands 

 of any given scientific subject. And, while it may not positively 

 vitiate the investigation into particular scientific method, it 

 places an unreasonable burden upon it. Just as there are 

 general rules of logical procedure to be followed if discourse is 

 to be consistent or valid, so there are general rules of procedure 

 to be followed if discourse is to be of some determinate scientific 

 force. Categorical syllogism is defined in terms of validity. 

 The rules which must be followed to make the syllogism pre- 

 cisely a syllogism (e. g., the middle term must be fully 



^ Cf., In II Met., lect. 5, n. 335; In II De Anima, lect. 3, n. 245. 



