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FALLACIES. 



The subject is not beyond the compass of classification and 

 comprehensive survey. The things, indeed, which are not 

 evidence of any given conclusion, are manifestly endless, and 

 this negative property, having no dependence on any positive 

 ones, cannot be made the groundwork of a real classification. 

 But the things which, not being evidence, are susceptible 

 of being mistaken for it, are capable of a classification 

 having reference to the positive property which they possess, 

 of appearing to be evidence. We may arrange them, at our 

 choice, on either of two principles ; according to the cause 

 which makes them appear to be evidence, not being so ; or 

 according to the particular kind of evidence which they 

 simulate. The Classification of Fallacies which will be at- 

 tempted in the ensuing chapter, is founded on these considera- 

 tions jointly. 



