An Investigation of the Laws of Thought by George Boole

Author:George Boole [Boole, George]
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf
ISBN: 9780486157504
Publisher: Dover Publications
Published: 2012-10-11T16:00:00+00:00

which expresses the condition above adverted to. We have

(8)

Eliminating p from this, we find simply

r = 0,

which expresses the proposition, Motion does not exist by an endless successive communication. If now we substitute for r its value in (8), we have

(1 − x) (1 − p) + px = 0, or, 1 − x = p;

whence we have the interpretation, If motion has existed from eternity, it has been eternally caused by an eternal intelligent being ; together with the converse of that proposition.

In Prop. ix. it is argued, that “the self-existent and original cause of all things is not a necessary agent, but a being endued with liberty and choice.” The proof is based mainly upon his possession of intelligence, and upon the existence of final causes, implying design and choice. To the objection that the supreme cause operates by necessity for the production of what is best, it is replied, that this is a necessity of fitness and wisdom, and not of nature.

14. In Prop. x. it is argued, that “the self-existent being, the supreme cause of all things, must of necessity have infinite power.” The ground of the demonstration is, that as “all the powers of all things are derived from him, nothing can make any difficulty or resistance to the execution of his will.” It is defined that the infinite power of the self-existent being does not extend to the “making of a thing which implies a contradiction,” or the doing of that “which would imply imperfection (whether natural or moral) in the being to whom such power is ascribed,” but that it does extend to the creation of matter, and of an immaterial, cogitative substance, endued with a power of beginning motion, and with a liberty of will or choice. Upon this doctrine of liberty it is contended that we are able to give a satisfactory answer to “that ancient and great question, πθεν τ κακν, what is the cause and original of evil ?” The argument on this head I shall briefly exhibit.

“All that we call evil is either an evil of imperfection, as the want of certain faculties or excellencies which other creatures have; or natural evil, as pain, death, and the like; or moral evil, as all kinds of vice. The first of these is not properly an evil; for every power, faculty, or perfection, which any creature enjoys, being the free gift of God, .. it is plain the want of any certain faculty or perfection in any kind of creatures, which never belonged to their natures is no more an evil to them, than their never having been created or brought into being at all could properly have been called an evil. The second kind of evil, which we call natural evil, is either a necessary consequence of the former, as death to a creature on whose nature immortality was never conferred; and then it is no more properly an evil than the former. Or else it is counterpoised on

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.