on Logic and Metaphysics^ 
533 
18 : 2.3 
given to understand, tliat my appoint- 
n»ent (!ike the rest) was wholly unau¬ 
thorised, and that my nomination was 
consequently superseded. 
It was when the arrangement stated 
above was in train, I composed in the 
Latin language (as required of me by 
the noble lord, from whom I received my 
appointment) the Syllabus, ov Outlines of 
the Course of Lectures which I proposed 
to deliver. Of this Syllabus I send you 
a literal translation, Trusting that you 
will consider it of sufficient importance 
to deserve to be recorded in the Monthly 
Magazine.* 
January 16, 1811« Dun. Forbes, 
Heads of a Course of Lectures on Logic 
and Metaphysics, 
INTRODUCTION. 
Logic Defined, and its Place in the Circle 
of the Sciences ascertained. 
The term Logic has been understood 
by philosophers in two different senses. 
—1. Philosophical writers understand 
by this word, the Syllogistic Art, or the 
art of reasoning through the instrumen¬ 
tality of syllogisms; an art w'hich claims 
Aristotle for its inventor. 3. But this 
term is more frequently used by modern 
, logicians, to designate that department 
of the philosophy of the human mind, by 
whose means we endeavour to guard 
against those errors to which we are ex¬ 
posed in conducting our processes of 
ratiocination; and from which, moreover, 
the faculty of invention derives assist¬ 
ance and information, in the investigation 
of truth. 
Both these kinds of logic do indeed 
aim at the attainment of the same ends; 
but, with respect to the strength and so¬ 
lidity of the principles on which they 
rest, the difference between them is ra¬ 
dical and essential. 
I conceive it would be foreign to my 
purpose in this Logical Index, to treat 
in detail of the history, the utility, or 
the misapplication, of this branch of the 
philosophy of imnd. These topics will, 
with more propriety, come under review, 
either io my Preliminary Lectures, or in 
subsequent parts of the Course. At pre- 
* 1 was taught to understand that my SyU 
hbus was to be transmitted to the University 
as a specimen of my professional knowledge, 
whereby the members of that seminary might 
judge of the competency of my talents, to 
perform my academical duties; and I iiave 
reason to believe that it was in fact trans¬ 
mitted. See Edinburgh Medical and Surgical 
,|y«fAal 5 Yol. ii. page 500, 
sent the heads of the principal subjects, 
which the science of Logic embraces, 
and the methods to be pursued in in¬ 
vestigating the nature, and in pointing 
out the importance, of these subjects, 
according to my judgment, claim our 
exclusive attention. 
As a suitable prelude to tlie Course, I 
shall in the Preliminary Lectures endea¬ 
vour to give a cursory, but accurate, view 
of the origin and progress of pirilosophy 
in general; of the most celebrated sects 
of philosophers, both ancient and mo¬ 
dern; and of the principal tenets of their 
respective schools. 
In this summary statement of the opi¬ 
nions of philosophers, I shall take an op¬ 
portunity of discussing more particularly 
the hisioi’Y ^nd the abuse of lojiic ; and 
I shall, niureover, endeavour to define, 
with greater precision, the boundaries of 
that science, and vO out its appro¬ 
priate province. 
In respect to the hiscc; " philo¬ 
sophy in general, we shall e rr on our 
investigations through three vr long 
and comprehensive /jeriot/s, or epochs. 
Ist. We shall inquire into the state of 
philosophy, from the beginning of tho 
world to the foundation of the Romaa 
Republic. To this epocha, the investi¬ 
gation of oriental philosophy may, ia 
my opinion, with propriety be referred. 
'2ndly. The next /leriot/comprehends the 
History of Philosophy, from the building 
of Rome, to the revival of learning in the 
fifteenth century. The different sects 
of Grecian philosophers, and the cha¬ 
racteristic tenets respectively maintained 
by these various sects, will fall to be dis¬ 
cussed under this division of our abridg¬ 
ment. We shall here likewise take oc¬ 
casion to advert to the importation of 
philosophy from Greece into Rome; to 
investigate the progress of the opinions 
of the respective masters in philosophy, 
among that people; and to point out the 
most eminent patrons and converts to 
the peculiar tenets of each Grecian 
sect. 
3rd!y. The third and last greatin 
the History of Philosophy, comprehends 
the period from the revival of letters to 
the present times. The state of Philo¬ 
sophy in Modern Europe, during the 
three last centuries, will close our suc¬ 
cinct Coup d'oeil of its history. 
Having premised ^his brief sketch of 
philosophical opinions, in different ages, 
and different periods of the world, 
I shall proceed to •examine with a 
keener eye^ and a closer attention, my 
3X3 own 
