00 THE IMPRO*EMENT OF THE MIND. without ideas , lest it lead young persons into a most unhappy habit of talking without a meaning, and boldly determine upon things that are hardly within the reach of human capacity. Let not Obvious and known truths, or some of the most plain asid certain propositions be bandied about in a disputation, for a mere trial of skill: for he that opposes them in this mann:r, will be in danger of contracting a habit of opposing all evid nee, will acquire a spirit of contradiction, and pride himself a power of resisting the brightest light, and fighting against the strongest proofs : this will.insensibly injure the mind, and tends greatly to nn universal scepticism. Upon the whole, therefore, the most proper subjects of dispute seem to be those questions, which are not of the very highest importance and certainty, nor of the meanest and trifling kind : but rather the intermediate questions between these two ; and there is a large sufficiency of them in the sciences. But this 1 put as a mere proposal, to be determin- ed by the more learned and prudent. 4. It wouldhe well if every dispute could be so ordered, as to be a means of searching out truth, and not to gain a triumph. Then each disputant might come to the work without bias and prejudice, with a,desire of truth, and not with ambition of glory and victory. Nor should the aim and design of the respondent be to avoid artfully and escapethe difficulties which the opponent offers, but to discuss them thoroughly, and solve them fairly if they are capable of being solved. Again, let the opponent be solicitous not todarken and confound the responses that are given him by fresh subtleties ; but let him bethink himselfwhether they are not a just answer to the objection, and be honestly ready to perceive and accept them, and yield to them. 5. For this end,let both the respondent and opponent use the clearest and most distinct and expressive language in which they can clothe their thoughts. Let them seek and practise brevityand perspicuity on both sides, without long declamations, tedious cir- cumlocutions, and rhetorical flourishes. If there happen to be any doubt or obscurity on eícher side, let neither the one nor .the other ever refuse to give a fair explicationof the words they ruse. fl: They should not indulge ridicule, either of persons or things in their disputations. They should abstain from all ban- ter and jest, laughter and merriment. These are things that break in upon that philosophical gravity, sedateness and serenity of temper which ought to be observed in every search after truth. However, an argument on some subjects may be sometimes clothed with a little pleasantry, yet a jest or witticism should never be used instead of an argument, nor should it ever be suf- fered to pass for a real and solid proof. But especially if the subject be sacred or divine, and having nothing in it comical or
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