HON. LL.D. ST. ANDREWS
Late Professor of Logic in the University of Aberdeen
In this little treatise two things are attemptedthat at first might appear incompatible. Oneof them is to put the study of logical formulæon a historical basis. Strangely enough, thescientific evolution of logical forms, is a bit ofhistory that still awaits the zeal and genius ofsome great scholar. I have neither ambitionnor qualification for such a magnum opus, andmy life is already more than half spent; but thegap in evolutionary research is so obvious thatdoubtless some younger man is now at work inthe field unknown to me. All that I can hope todo is to act as a humble pioneer according tomy imperfect lights. Even the little I have donerepresents work begun more than twenty yearsago, and continuously pursued for the last twelveyears during a considerable portion of my time.
The other aim, which might at first appearinconsistent with this, is to increase the powerof Logic as a practical discipline. The mainpurpose of this practical science, or scientificart, is conceived to be the organisation of reasonagainst error, and error in its various kinds ismade the basis of the division of the subject. Tocarry out this practical aim along with the historicalone is not hopeless, because throughout its[page vi]long history Logic has been a practical science;and, as I have tried to show at some length inintroductory chapters, has concerned itself atdifferent periods with the risks of error peculiarto each.
To enumerate the various books, ancient andmodern, to which I have been indebted, would bea vain parade. Where I have consciously adoptedany distinctive recent contribution to the long lineof tradition, I have made particular acknowledgment.My greatest obligation is to my old professor,Alexander Bain, to whom I owe my firstinterest in the subject, and more details than Ican possibly separate from the general body of myknowledge.
Since these sentences were written, the author ofthis book has died; and Professor Minto's Logicis his last contribution to the literature of hiscountry. It embodies a large part of his teachingin the philosophical class-room of his University,and doubtless reflects the spirit of the whole of it.
Scottish Philosophy has lost in him one of itstypical representatives, and