80 MEMOIR OF ARISTOTLE. 



abstract images he assigned a real being, but capable 

 of intellectual apprehension alone. In this manner 

 he reared a motley system of physical philosophy, 

 on a basis of metaphysics and logic conjointly. 



Although educated in this school, Aristotle had 

 thought too deeply and accurately not to perceive 

 that the cardinal doctrine of Platonism (ideas), how- 

 ever specious, was rather a shadowy representation, 

 than a solid structure. He saw that the various 

 branches of philosophy were separated from their 

 parent root, or grafted on unnatural stocks ; and 

 that, in order to rest the sciences on a sure founda- 

 tion, a more exact analysis of the principles of hu- 

 man knowledge was required. Accordingly, his 

 grand aim was to develope a truly intellectual sys- 

 tem, instead of the ingenious phantom which the en- 

 thusiasm of Plato had raised. The idols which had 

 been set up in the niches and shrines of the schools, 

 he swept away with a daring hand. In overthrow- 

 ing the doctrine of ideas, he was no less a reformer 

 of the ancient philosophy, than were Bacon and 

 Boerhaave of the modern. It was the object of the 

 one, as well as of the others, to cleanse and recon- 

 struct the temple of science ; to recall men from un- 

 profitable speculations to the realities of nature ; and 

 to lay down rules to guide them in the discovery of 

 sound and infallible principles. 



Philosophy was regarded by Aristotle, either as 

 furnishing the mind with the means of contemplating 

 external nature, or ministering to the improvement 



