Divinity or Theology, as it proves the existence of a Deity, and the immortality of souls, is composed partly of reasonings concerning particular, partly concerning general facts. It has a foundation in _reason_, so far as it is supported by experience. But its best and most solid foundation is _faith_ and divine revelation.
Morals and criticism are not so properly objects of the understanding as of taste and sentiment. Beauty, whether moral or natural, is felt, more properly than perceived. Or if we reason concerning it, and endeavour to fix its standard, we regard a new fact, to wit, the general tastes of mankind, or some such fact, which may be the object of reasoning and enquiry.
When we run over libraries, persuaded of these principles, what havoc must we make? If we take in our hand any volume; of divinity or school metaphysics, for instance; let us ask, _Does it contain any abstract reasoning concerning quantity or number?_ No. _Does it contain any experimental reasoning concerning matter of fact and existence?_ No. Commit it then to the flames: for it can contain nothing but sophistry and illusion.
Abstraction not source of ideas of primary qualities, 122.
Analogy a species of, the foundation of all reasoning about matter of fact, 82;
Animals the reason of, 83-85; learn from experience and draw inferences, 83; which can only be founded on custom, 84; cause of difference between men and animals, 84 n.
Appearances to senses must be corrected by reason, 117.
Association of ideas, three principles of, 18-19, 41-44 (v. _Cause_ C).
Belief (v. _Cause_ C, 39-45); and chance, 46.
Body and soul, mystery of union of, 52; volition and movements of, 52.
Real existence of (v. _Scepticism_, B, 118-123).
Cause first (v. _God_, _Necessity_, 78-81; _Providence_, 102-115, 132 n). a principle of association of ideas, 19, 43; sole foundation of reasonings about matter of fact or real existence, 22.
A. _Knowledge of Causes arises from experience not from Reason_, 23-33.
Reasonings _a priori_ give no knowledge of cause and effect, 23 f.; impossible to see the effect in the cause since they are totally different, 25; natural philosophy never pretends to assign ultimate causes, but only to reduce causes to a few general causes, e.g. gravity, 26; geometry applies laws obtained by experience, 27.