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The following Paper, the fourth of a series, was then read by the 
Author : — 
THE SORROWS OF SCEPTICISM. By the Rev. 
Robinson Thornton, D.D., V.P.* 
I N three papers, which I have had the honour of reading at 
different times before this Institute, I have endeavoured 
to discuss, or raise a discussion on, the Scepticism of the present 
day in various aspects. In touching on the Logic of Scep- 
ticism, I have called attention to the illogical character of the 
reasoning process by which most, if not all, sceptical conclusions 
are deduced from their premises. Those who employ these 
arguments have generally proceeded as if it were their object 
to produce action rather than to attain to truth. Far be it 
from me to say that those great men of science who have un- 
happily identified themselves with the cause of Scepticism have 
knowingly ignored truth, or even permitted themselves for a 
moment wittingly to deflect from the course that they have 
adopted to lead to its attainment. But the sceptic, in general, 
I maintain, has, intentionally or unintentionally, so shaped his 
arguments as to appear to aim rather at inducing men to quit 
their profession of Christianity than at demonstrating the truth 
of his own principles; lie has been content with the rhetorical 
enthymeme or example, where the subject-matter demanded 
the syllogism or the induction. In short, I have urged that the 
processes of sceptical thinking appear to violate the formal 
laws of thought. In treating of the Credulity of Scepticism 
I have endeavoured to point out that in the assumption of 
premises the sceptic has generally made a far greater demand 
upon faith than rational believers in Christianity have done. 
He has demanded absolute assent to propositions of very low 
probability, and has deduced conclusions which are, either 
directly or by implication, more startling than those which they 
were intended to contravene: while blaming those who accept 
* Being the Fourth and concluding portion of the arguments brought 
forward in the Author’s Papers on “The Logic of Scepticism,” “The 
Credulity of Scepticism,” “ The Varying Tactics of Scepticism,” read in 
1866, 1869, and 1874. 
