288 NOVUM ORGANUM. 



this is what has been done hitherto, the cause being the natural 

 fondness of the Intellect for such a process, and its previous instruc 

 tion and acquaintance with it by means of Syllogistic Demonstrations. 

 But then only may good hopes be entertained of the Sciences when, 

 by means of a true scale and continuous steps, without interruption or 

 breaks, the ascent shall be made from particulars to lesser Axioms, 

 and thence to intermediate ones, each rising above the other, and 

 finally, at length, to the most general. For the lowest Axioms do not 

 differ much from bare Experience, while those highest and most 

 general (as they are considered) are arbitrary and abstract, and with 

 out solidity. But those middle Axioms are true, and solid, and living, 

 and on them depend man s affairs and fortunes : and above these also, 

 and last of all, come those which are most general ; such, we mean, 

 as are not abstract, but are really limited by these middle ones. 



So, then, we must not add wings to the human Intellect, but rather 

 leaden weights, so far as to keep it from leaping and flying. And this 

 has not been done hitherto ; but when it shall have been done we may 

 have better hopes of the Sciences. 



cv. Now in constructing an Axiom, a form of Induction differing 

 from that hitherto in use must be thought out ; and that in order to 

 prove and discover, not first principles, as they call them, alone, but 

 also lesser, middle, and, in short, all kinds of Axioms. P or the 

 Induction which proceeds by simple enumeration is puerile, and con 

 cludes uncertainly, and is exposed to danger from a contradictory 

 instance, and generally passes judgment from fewer instances than is 

 right, and then from those only which are at hand. But the Induction, 

 which shall be useful for discovery and demonstration, ought to 

 separate Nature by due rejections and exclusions, and then, after a 

 sufficient number of negatives, conclude upon the affirmatives ; but 

 this has not yet been done, nor indeed attempted, save only by Plato, 

 who indeed uses this form of Induction to a certain extent, for striking 

 out definitions and ideas. And for the good and legitimate arrange 

 ment of this Induction or Demonstration, very many things must be 

 applied which have as yet never entered into the thoughts of man ; so 

 that greater labour has to be expended on it than has hitherto been 

 spent upon the Syllogism. And this Induction must be employed, not 

 only to discover Axioms, but also to determine Notions. And it is 

 certain that in this Induction our principal hope lies. 



cvi. But, in constructing Axioms by this Induction, we must also 

 examine and try whether the Axiom under construction is only fitted 

 and made to the measure of those particulars from which it is drawn, 

 or whether it is of a wider and broader application. For if it be wider 

 or broader, we must see whether it confirm that width and breadth, by 

 designating new particulars, as a security that we shall not either 

 remain stationary in what is known, or perhaps loosely grasp at 

 shadows and abstract forms, instead of what is solid and defined in 

 matter. And when those precautions shall have been adopted, then at 

 length a substantial hope will have fairly dawned upon us. 



cvii. And here, too, we must resume what has been said above of 



