NOVUM ORGANUM 83 



We must not then add wings, but rather lead and 

 ballast to the understanding, to prevent its jumping 

 or flying, which has not yet been done; but whenever 

 this takes place, we may entertain greater hopes of the 

 sciences. 



CV. In forming axioms, we must invent a different form 

 of induction from that hitherto in use; not only for the 

 proof and discovery of principles (as they are called), but 

 also of minor, intermediate, and, in short, every kind of 

 axioms. The induction which proceeds by simple enumer 

 ation is puerile, leads to uncertain conclusions, and is ex 

 posed to danger from one contradictory instance, deciding 

 generally from too small a number of facts, and those only 

 the most obvious. But a really useful induction for the dis 

 covery and demonstration of the arts and sciences, should 

 separate nature by proper rejections and exclusions, and 

 then conclude for the affirmative, after collecting a sufficient 

 number of negatives. Now this has not been done, nor even 

 attempted, except perhaps by Plato, who certainly uses this 

 form of induction in some measure, to sift definitions and 

 ideas. But much of what has never yet entered the thoughts 

 of man must necessarily be employed, in order to exhibit a 

 good and legitimate mode of induction or demonstration, so 

 as even to render it essential for us to bestow more pains 

 upon it than have hitherto been bestowed on syllogisms. 

 The assistance of induction is to serve us not only in the dis 

 covery of axioms, but also in defining our notions. Much 

 indeed is to be hoped from such an induction as has been 

 described. 



CVI. In forming our axioms from induction, we must 

 examine and try whether the axiom we derive be only fitted 

 and calculated for the particular instances from which it is 



