Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Comparison Between The Ancients And Moderns In Science And Literature.
substance . And indeed it must be allowed , that the difficulties arising from the opinion , that the operations of the mind are the effects of a particular system of material organization , are not more incapable of solution , than those which flow from the notion that one substance is capable of acting upon and influencing another , entirety distinct in itsnature , and with which it has not one property in common . And this positionthough it evidentlinvolves an absurdityis maintained
, y , "by the immaterialists . The nature , however , of this essay precludes any attempt to balance the merits , or even to state the arguments of these two celebrated controversies . It is sufficient to observe , that though there appears at present no immediate prospect of their being brought tea speedy termination , still have they been productive of very important
advantages . They have contributed to enlarge the notions and expand the powers of the understanding ; have augmented our knowledge of the human mind ; and tend , in no inconsiderable degree , to confirm our superiority to the Ancients in metaphysical and logical science . Thus have we taken a very general though superficial retrospect of some of the great improvements of the Moderns in polite literature , natural philosophy and metaphysics : and in cursorily comparing
their progress with that of the Ancients , especially in the two last , have had occasion to remark the almost universal superiority of the . former . To deny to the Ancients any meritorious excellencies or any brilliant qualities , were the height of folly . It would be to appear in dirett opposition to the most glaring facts , and to contradict , with the most notorious effrontery , the experience and opinion of the whole
commonwealth of learning . On the other hand , to lavish the most profuse encomiums upon merit to which they are not entitled ,, and to ascribe to them , with an enthusiastic phrenzy , qualities which they never possessed , betrays an absurdity equally palpable , and a degree of folly equally ridiculous . The essential objects at which we ought to aim are to form such an appreciation of the respective merits cf the
Ancients and the Moderns as accords with equity ; and to pourtray their discriminating qualities with such colours only as derive their lustre from the li ght of truth . To accomplish this in a manner perfectly satisfactory , would require an impartiality unbiassed b y prejudice , and unclouded by error ; but the minute accuracy of the professed critic , or the delicate touches of the delineator of characters , are not to be expected here . It is only requisite -that we should observe the outlines .
Originality of invention , elegance and correctness of taste , fertility of imagination and purity of composition , these seem to be the most conspicuous characteristics of the Ancients twhile accuracy of reasoning , soundness of judgment , and ingenuity and diligence in philosop hic research , form the distinguishing features of the Moderns . In fl , e former , we cannot but acknowledge the highest degree of exs ilence iu every thing that relates to matter * of taste : in . the latter ,
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Comparison Between The Ancients And Moderns In Science And Literature.
substance . And indeed it must be allowed , that the difficulties arising from the opinion , that the operations of the mind are the effects of a particular system of material organization , are not more incapable of solution , than those which flow from the notion that one substance is capable of acting upon and influencing another , entirety distinct in itsnature , and with which it has not one property in common . And this positionthough it evidentlinvolves an absurdityis maintained
, y , "by the immaterialists . The nature , however , of this essay precludes any attempt to balance the merits , or even to state the arguments of these two celebrated controversies . It is sufficient to observe , that though there appears at present no immediate prospect of their being brought tea speedy termination , still have they been productive of very important
advantages . They have contributed to enlarge the notions and expand the powers of the understanding ; have augmented our knowledge of the human mind ; and tend , in no inconsiderable degree , to confirm our superiority to the Ancients in metaphysical and logical science . Thus have we taken a very general though superficial retrospect of some of the great improvements of the Moderns in polite literature , natural philosophy and metaphysics : and in cursorily comparing
their progress with that of the Ancients , especially in the two last , have had occasion to remark the almost universal superiority of the . former . To deny to the Ancients any meritorious excellencies or any brilliant qualities , were the height of folly . It would be to appear in dirett opposition to the most glaring facts , and to contradict , with the most notorious effrontery , the experience and opinion of the whole
commonwealth of learning . On the other hand , to lavish the most profuse encomiums upon merit to which they are not entitled ,, and to ascribe to them , with an enthusiastic phrenzy , qualities which they never possessed , betrays an absurdity equally palpable , and a degree of folly equally ridiculous . The essential objects at which we ought to aim are to form such an appreciation of the respective merits cf the
Ancients and the Moderns as accords with equity ; and to pourtray their discriminating qualities with such colours only as derive their lustre from the li ght of truth . To accomplish this in a manner perfectly satisfactory , would require an impartiality unbiassed b y prejudice , and unclouded by error ; but the minute accuracy of the professed critic , or the delicate touches of the delineator of characters , are not to be expected here . It is only requisite -that we should observe the outlines .
Originality of invention , elegance and correctness of taste , fertility of imagination and purity of composition , these seem to be the most conspicuous characteristics of the Ancients twhile accuracy of reasoning , soundness of judgment , and ingenuity and diligence in philosop hic research , form the distinguishing features of the Moderns . In fl , e former , we cannot but acknowledge the highest degree of exs ilence iu every thing that relates to matter * of taste : in . the latter ,