The Art of Logic, Book 3 · Part 17
OF The Recognizing of a thing handled, OR ANALYSIS.
ANalysis (or Resolution) is a Logical Exercise whereby the Artifices are recognized, by which the handling of any matter hath been instituted.
The General Canons of Resolution are two.
1. Every Resolution is understood by the Construction; for with what Artifices any thing is constructed or framed; with them it is also resolved or unloosed.
2. Every Analysis consisteth in two things. 1. In the knowledge of the thing or work to be resolved. 2. In the weighing the manner or Artifice whereby the work is Framed.
Analysis is either
Grammatical.
Rhetorical.
Logical.
Grammatical resolution, is which weigheth a simple or compounded word, as touching the forming and fit knitting together for the learning of any Language.
Rhetorical resolution, is whereby the Artifices are examined of Amplifications and Adornations in any Oration, or other writing.
Logical resolution, is whereby are weighed the Artifices of Explication, Probation, and Ordination or Method: which are used of the Author in making the work.
This resolution is either
Separate. a
Combined. b
Separate, wherein the handling of one Theme is weigheda apart.
And it is either of a Theme
Simple, a
Conjoyned. b
Resolution of a Simple Theme, is whereby the Artificesa used in a simple Tractation are Recognized.
The Canons hereof are these.
First of all, let the Theme it self be gathered out of the Text, as being the Object and Scope of the whole Resolution.
2. Let it be diligently minded, whether the The…e be perfect or imperfect, Singular or Universal; for hereon hangeth the applying of the Terms, which may be used in the handling of any Theme.
3. It is also to be minded to what Discipline the Theme of the propounded Text doth belong.
4. Because it seldome falls out that the Authors do explain any Theme by all the Instruments of the first Part of Logick: therefore in Resolving, the mind is to be applyed unto some certain Instruments by which the Author handled his Theme.
5. Let Amplifications be diligently severed from the Explication of the Theme, instituted by the Terms thereof.
6. Let the Terms by which a Theme is handled of an Author, be judged by the Canons of the first Part of Logick; as whether it be a Genus, a Cause, a Property, or an Effect.
Resolution of a conjoyned Theme is either of the second,b or of the third Part of Logick.
Resolution of the second part of Logick, is, which turns over Sententious Texts; wherein meer propositions are contained without proofs.
Resolution of the third Part of Logick is either.
Syllogistical. a
Methodical. b
Syllogistical Resolution, is, whereby the handling of aa Conjoynt Question is unfolded, According to these Canons following.
1. Let the Propositions or Conjoynt Theme of the Author be first of all gathered out of the Text.
2. That Proposition, if it be not by the Author put in the Indicative Mood must be reduced thereunto.
We must look if the proposition be often repeated in the Text; for these repetitions must be gathered into one, and counted but for one Proposition.
4. But if the Proposition be not only repeated, but also explained, or limited by the Author, that explication and limitation is to be shewed before the Resolution of the Arguments. And if the Author have not explained or limited it, and yet the Proposition needeth explanation and limitation, we our selves ought to do it.
5. Let it be considered, whether the propounded Theme be universal or singular, or whether it be a foreign, or an foreign.
6. Let it also be considered whether it be a Theme doctrinal, or practical.
7. After the Theme is thus considered, let the next ca…e be of the Means by which the Theme is handled of the Author, which are Arguments either proving or refuting, or Anticipations, or unloosing of objections, or amplifications, or exaggerations.
8. Of the Arguments, We are first to mind whether they be artificial, or inartificial i. e. Testimonies.
9. Let the artificial Mean be reduced to the place of Invention; and conferred with the Antecedent and Consequent of the propounded Conclusion.
10. We must look whether any of the premises be omitted▪ by the Author in the Text, and then he that resolveth must add them.
11. If any of the Premises be proved by a Prosyllogism, then must we use the same process in resolving the Prosyllogism that was used before in the primary Syllogism.
12. Let the confirming Arguments be distinguished from the refuting.
13. If the Author bring in a secret Objection, that also must diligently be distinguished from the Confirmation, and reduced to a syllogistical form: We must also mark how the Text answers to this Objection.
14. Let Amplifications be referred to their certain places, and Adornations to the certain Figures of Rhetorick.
Methodical Resolution, is, whereby the Artifices of Methodb are examined.
The Canons thereof are three.
1. As Method is Universal or Particular; so must the Resolution also needs be made, Either according to the Parts of Universal Method, or according to the Canons of particular Method.
2. The Bonds of knitting together, and of passing from one point to another in the Method, must in the Resolving diligently be shewed.
3. If any things occur in the Author, either superfluous, or strange from the propounded Theme; he that resolveth must give warning of them.
And thus much of Simple Resolution or separate.
Combined Resolution, is, whereby is unfolded any Treatise made by the Author, according to more Parts of Logick.
And it is either of a whole Discipline, or of some Writing or Treatise pertaining to some Discipline.
The Resolution of a whole Discipline, is, whereby the Method of any Frame or Body of Discipline is unfolded.
The Canons of which Resolution, are these.
1. Let the Praecognita, or things fore-known of the proposed Discipline be so instituted, that first it may appear whether it be a Contemplative, or an Operative Discipline.
2. If it be Contemplative, then the whole Resolution must be directed to these three as to a most certain Loadstar; Namely, that first the Subject of the Discipline be enquired; Afterwards, the Species of this Subject, and also the affections both General and Special, and then the causes or beginnings of these affections.
3. And if it be an Operative Discipline, also three things must be enquired in the Authors Writings. 1. The end that is to be got by the Operation. 2. The Subject whereunto this end is to be brought. And 3. The means by which it is to be brought in.
4. Let the Precepts alwayes be distinguished from the Commentaries.
An Authors Treatise is Resolved by these Canons.
1. Mind, whether the writing be accurate (Acroamatical)▪ or popu…ar (Exoterical), or mixt.
2. Let lawful foreknowledges be made of the Efficient cause, or Author of the Writing, of the Scope of his Writing; of the Object, if it be an Epistle to any.
3. Let a general partition be made of the whole Treatise; and if it be divided into Chapters, let every Chapter be referred to his part.
4. A general Resolution being so made, then come to a particular Resolution of every Member & Chapter; wherein, when any Theme, Simple or Conjoynt is handled, let the process of the Resolution be made according to the Precepts before given of either Theme.
And thus endeth the Doctrine of the Exercise of Logick:
Blessed be God.
FINIS.
End of the text · Henry Ainsworth, The Art of Logic (1657)