19 



of the intellectual faculties must be brought into 

 i operation, in order that what we acquire through 

 [perception may be shaped into the knowledge that 

 it is desired to obtain. The object in science is to 

 discover the facts and laws of nature ; and to apply 

 the intellect advantageously for the purpose there 

 must be some systematic course, some method or 

 art of reasoning adopted. The system employed 

 up to Harvey's time was the Aristotelian, or syllo- 

 gistic — a system which, whilst being well adapted 

 for affording proof upon any particular point, is ill 

 adapted for promoting the advance of knowledge. 

 When through the major and minor premises of a 

 syllogism I draw a conclusion, a point is proved, 

 but no real addition is made to our stock of know- 

 ledge. For instance, when in accordance with the 

 rules of the syllogistic art I say — 



All men are mortal, 



Thomas is a man, 



therefore 



Thomas is mortal — 



I start with the general proposition in the major 



B 2 



