448 Observations m Mr. Herapath's Theory. [Dec. 



Article IV. 



Observations 071 Mr. Herapath's Theory. 



(To the Editor of the Annals of Philosophy.) 

 SIB, Oct. 12, 182». 



He who has published a theory on any point in philosophy 

 will consider its neglect as the greatest evil. A candid exami- 

 nation of its correctness will tend more to excite attention to it, 

 than almost any degree of praise which can be given. If, then, 

 it be founded in truth, examination and attention are all its 

 author can desire; but if in error, its exposure is all he ought to 

 expect. Mr. Herapath will, therefore, have no right to complain 

 of the following observations upon the theory which he has pub- 

 lished " On the Causes, Laws, and principal Phaenomena, of 

 Heat, &c." 



In the October number of the Annals of Philosophy, Mr. He- 

 rapath has answered two letters addressed to him upon the 

 subject, by extracts from other letters received by him from some 

 distinguished chemists, in which, while they politely praise the 

 ingenuity of the theory, they express their want of satisfaction 

 as to its truth. I confess I do not see how this can be any 

 answer to, or how indeed it can have any other effect than that 

 of justifying, the doubts of those who have offered particular 

 objections to the theory ; for surely it is probable, that if it had 

 been conclusive, such able men as Sir H. Davy and Mr. Gilbert 

 would have perceived its correctness. 



Mr. H. has then added that he considers those extracts will 

 be a sufficient justification to him in not replying " to everyone 

 who chooses to publish his undemonstrated opinions " on the 

 subject. Of course it cannot be expected that he should answer 

 all objections to his theory ; many of them will very probably 

 deserve no notice. The only observation, therefore, that I 

 should make in relation to this determination is on the distinc- 

 tion which he has made as to the objections being undemonstrated. 

 If he mean that he does not consider himself bound to regard 

 any objections that are not mathematical demonstrations, I 

 apprehend he has determined to neglect those objections which 

 he ought to fear as the most formidable. 



That this was, however, the intention of Mr. Herapath would 

 seem probable from the following sentence : "To avoid meta- 

 physical difficulties, the principles might be passed over by the 

 admission of a simple axiom in philosophy ; namely, that it is 

 impossible by correct reasoning from false principles to bring out 

 true conclusions ; and hence the attempts at refutation may be 

 confined to the mathematics and the results." — (Annals for Oct. 

 p. 307.) It certainly is difficult to deduce from this axiom any 

 meaning which can be supported by argument. In innumerable 



