CHAPTER II. 479 may be easily understood by what is said of universals, and there will be sufficient examples given of all these in the next section. The general principle upon which these universal and parti- cular syllogisms is founded, is this, Whatsoever is affirmed or denied universally of any idea, may be affirmed or denied of all the particular kinds or beings, which are contained in the exten- sion of that universal idea. So the desert of death is affirmed universally of sin, and an unlawful wish is one particular kind of sin, which is contained in the universal idea of sin, therefore the desert of death may be affirmed concerning an unlawful wish. And so of the rest. Note, In the doctrine of syllogisms, a singular and indefi- nite proposition are ranked among universals, as was before ob- served in the doctrine of propositions. SECT. II. Of plain, simple Syllogisms, and their Rules. THE next division of syllogisms is into single and com- pound. This is drawn from the nature and composition of them. Single syllogisms are made up of three propositions, ,com- pound syllogisms contain more than three propositions, and may be formed into two or more syllogisms. Single syllogisms, for distinction's sake, may be divided into *simple, complex, and conjunctive. Those are properly called simple or categorical syllogisms, which are made up of three plain, single or categorical propo- sitions, wherein the middle term is evidently and regularly joined with one part of the question in the major proposition, and with the other in the minor, whence there follows a plain single con- clusion ; as " every human virtue is to be sought with diligence : prudence is a human virtue; therefore prudence is to be sought diligently." Note, Though the terms of propositions may be complex ; yet where the composition of the whole argument is thus plain, simple, and regular, it is properly called a simple syllogism, since the complexion does not belong to the syllogistic form of it. Simple syllogisms have several rules belonging to them, which being observed will generally secure us from false in- ferences ; but these rules being founded on four general axioms, it is necessary to mention these axioms beforehand, for the use of those who will enter into the speculative reason of all these rules: 1. Particular propositions are contained in universals, and * As ideas and propositions are divided into single and compound, and sin. gle are subdividedinto simple and complex ; as there are the same ditistons and auodnisious applied to syllogisms.
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