ON THE ACTIVE POWERS OF THE HUMAN MIND; AN INQUIRY INTO THE HUMAN MIND ON THE PRINCIPLES AND AN ESSAY ON QUANTITY. BY THOMAS REID, D.D. F. R. S. E. PROFESSOR OF MORAL PHILOSOPHY IN THE UNIVERSITY OF GLASGOW. AND A MEMOIR OF THE AUTHOR, BY DUGALD STEWART. WITH NOTES, SECTIONAL HEADS, AND A SYNOPTICAL TABLE BY THE REV. G. N. WRIGHT, M.A. &c. LONDON:: PRINTED FOR THOMAS TEGG, CHEAPSIDE; R. GRIFFIN AND CO., GLASGOW; T. MESSURIER, DUBLIN; J. AND S. A. TEGG, SYDNEY AND HOBART TOWN. MDCCCXLIII. EDITOR'S PREFACE. GREATER typographical accuracy is not the only advantage to which this edition of the author's works is entitled; it possesses the still further recommendation of being the only complete and perfect collection of his writings yet published. In the first volume are included, "An Account of Dr. Reid's Life and Writings," from the classic pen of Dugald Stewart; "Essays on the Active Powers of the Human Mind;" "An Inquiry into the Human Mind, on the Principles of Common Sense;" and "An Essay on Quantity:" the last has hitherto only appeared in the "Philosophical Transactions." The second volume contains the author's præclarum opus, “ Essays on the Intellectual Powers of Man," together with his "View" or "Analysis of Aristotle's Logic," first published in the works of Lord Kames, and subsequently in a separate volume. In the preparation of these Essays for the press and the public, one uniform method has been observed. Where it had not been previously done by the author, the chapters are divided, with scrupulous attention to each pause, or interruption in the chain of reasoning, into sections; and to every section, whether original or newly separated, headings are prefixed. These headings present a condensed view of the contents, argument, or arguments, in each section; and, as far as it could be done, they are so linked together in meaning as to afford a tolerably full, correct, and continuous synopsis of the author's theory. In these introductions, perhaps, consist the chief merit which this edition can claim. To facilitate, however, the interpretation of abstruse passages, brackets are employed, italic letters frequently used, and forcible examples marked by indices; besides which those arguments that support any theory or fact, and which are scattered over many pages or chapters, or even Essays, are indicated and connected by the numerals of some one particular fount; and attention called to this connexion by notes, sometimes containing a complete recapitulation. In those parts of the author's writings that are of a mixed character—moral and metaphysical-numerous quotations from the works of ancient philosophers occur in the original languages. All such extracts have been translated, not literally, but appropriately; and given, not in substitution, but in addition to the originals. Hitherto the philosophical labours of this able and excellent man, the bold assailant of Locke, lay, like the Sibyl's leaves, where the winds had carried them. Henceforth, it is hoped, their connexion, an end so valuable in such serious investigations, will be unequivocally perceived; and some of the difficulties that have obstructed the study of pneumatology thereby alleviated, if not entirely removed. Coed Celyn, Llanrwst, Denbighshire. 1843. G. N. W. |