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Assumption of guilt and prohibition the learned in philosophy ? what of all evidence to the contrary is a right have they to begin their disquipractice not to be found among any sitions with fanciful data, and then of the civilised nations of earth-scar to demand that, to these all surrouncely indeed, among savages and bar- dings phenomena be moulded. As barians, and yet assumption of premi. private individuals they have, of ses, and selection of evidence to course, a right to “do as they like corroborate assumptions, is everywh- with their own." but as authors and ere and upon all subjects the practice public teachers their unnatural efforof theoretical philosophers !
ts are immeasurably pernicious, like a The Zetetic process is also the poor animal tied to a stake in the most natural method of investigation, centre of a meadow, where it can Nature herself always teaches it, it, only feed in a limited circle, the is her own continual suggestion;
theoretical philosopher is tethered to children invariably seek information his premises enslaved by his own by asking questions, by earnestly assumptions, and however great his inquiring from those around them, talent, his influence, his opportunities, Fearlessly, anxiously aud without he can only rob his fellow men of the slightest regard to consequences their intellectual freedom and indepenquestion after question, in rapid and dence, and convert them into exciting succession, will often proceed like himself In this respect astronofrom a child, until the most profound mical science is especially faulty. in bearing and philosophy. will feel It assumes the existence of puzzled to reply, and often the sear- data, it then applies these data to the ching cross-examinations of a more explanation of certain phenomena. If natural tyro can only be brought to the solution seems plausible it is an end by an order to retire-to bed considered that the data may be
to scoool-to play to anywhere rather looked upon as proved demonstrated than that the fiery "Zetetic' ordeal by the apparently satisfactory explashall be continued.
nation they have afforded, facts and If then both Nature and Justice, as explanations of a different character well as the common sense and prac are put aside as unworthy of regard, tical experience of mankind demand since that which is already assumed and will not be content with less or seems to explain matters, there need other than 'Zetetic' process, why it is be no further concern, guided by ignored and constantly violated by this principle, the secretary of the
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