Excerpt from The Science of Logic: Or an Analysis of the Laws of Thought

Whenever, in the development of any particular science, there has been a misapprehension of its appropriate sphere, and especially when wrong principles have been introduced in its development, a reconstruction of the whole science is of course demanded. The following treatise has been prepared in view of the assumption, that both these defects exist in important forms in the common treatises on this subject - treatises of which Dr. Whately's is one of the most prominent representatives. Every one is aware, that any given intellectual process having for its object the establishment of truth, may fail of its end for one or more of the three following reasons: 1. The process may be based throughout upon a misconception of the subject treated of. 2. Invalid premises may be introduced as the basis of conclusions deduced. 3. Or there may be a want of connection between the promises and the conclusions deduced from them. All are equally aware, also, that every valid process is not only free from each of these defects, but possessed of the opposite excellences. In examining any such process, then, three questions are or should be always put, to wit: Has the author rightly apprehended his subject? Are his premises sound? Is there a valid connection between his premises and conclusions? In answering such questions, every one feels the need of valid criteria by which he can determine whether the process is or is not valid in each of these particulars, and in one no less than in either of the others. The following treatise has been prepared upon the assumption, that the true and proper sphere of logic is to furnish all these different criteria, and thus to meet in full the real logical necessities of the human mind.

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