80 
MEMOIR OF ARISTOTLE. 
abstract images be assigned a real being, but capable 
of intellectual apprehension alone. In this manner 
he reared a motley system of physical philosophy, 
on a basis of metaphysics and logic conjointly. 
Although educated in this school, Aristotle had 
thought too deeply ‘and accurately not to perceive 
that the cardinal doctrine of Platonism (ideas), how- 
ever specious, was rather a shadowy representation, 
than a solid structure. He saw that the various 
branches of philosophy were separated from their 
parent root, or grafted on unnatural stocks ; and 
that, in order to rest the sciences on a sure founda- 
tion, a more exact analysis of the principles of hu- 
man knowledge was required. Accordingly, his 
grand aim was to develope a truly intellectual sys- 
tem, instead of the ingenious phantom which the en- 
thusiasm of Plato had raised. The idols which had 
been set up in the niches and shrines of the schools, 
he swept away with a daring hand. In overthrow- 
ing the doctrine of ideas, he was no less a reformer 
of the ancient philosophy, than were Bacon and 
Boerhaave of the modern. It was the object of the 
one, as well as of the others, to cleanse and recon- 
struct the temple of science ; to recall men from un- 
profitable speculations to the realities of nature ; and 
to lay down rules to guide them in the discovery of 
sound and infallible principles. 
Philosophy was regarded by Aristotle, either as 
furnishing the mind with the means of contemplating 
external nature, or ministering to the improvement 
