An Essay on the Origin of Evil (Classic Reprint)

Excerpt from An Essay on the Origin of Evil

T here are two eneral ways of Reafoning, called Arguments a Prz'orz', and a Pojgcriori; or, according to what Logic1ans com mouly fiile the synt/jctical and dna/yz'ica/ Method: The former lays down (ome evident Principles, and then deduces the feveral Confé guences neceffarily refulting from them: The latter begins with the wnemefla themfelves, and traces 'em up to their Original, and from the known Properties of thefe Phenomena arrives at the Na ture of their Gaufe. Now the former of thefe is evidently prefera ble, where it can be had, (and I think it may be had almofl every where, bur in the firfi Caufe) fince the latter mull depend Upon a large Induction of Particulars, any of which, when failing, invali dates the whole Argument, and quite fpoils a Demonfiration. It is very true (fays Dr. Clarke on Natural Evil, p. That this is not a firiét Demonflration of the general Conclufion, becaufe that can be had no Other way than by trying all the Experiments that can poflibly be made every where, which is infinite and endlefs; but it is the belt that the Nature of the thing is capa ble of.

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