Chapter 20 Section 07

twenty one Now that the several preliminary lists and exclusions or processes of exclusion have been completed, and thus the preliminary harvest has been made, we shall now proceed to the understanding of the power of understanding in explaining nature, that is, in grasping the true and complete method of induction. some other help.In stating these aids, if tables are still necessary, I intend to follow still the hot and cold instances; but if fewer examples will suffice, I will proceed freely; clear, but also can leave more room to explain the system. I plan to discuss it in nine parts: (1) Some examples of priority; ① ① Fleur noted that Bacon used this name, which was borrowed from a term in ancient Roman election law.The ancient Romans used the so-called centurion voting method in the election of the popular assembly; the group that voted first was determined by lot and was called the group with priority.This group is the first to vote and demonstrate; its elections often have a great influence on subsequent voters.

Fleur also quoted Herschel's words as a note, "Bacon's so-called priority cases refer to some characteristic phenomena. There are a large number of complex facts in nature, too many, vague and complex; the human mind is in the From the scheme of causes and inductions, from which Bacon, instead of being guided, is liable to be confused, in seeking a scheme of causes and inductions, Bacon selects some characteristic phenomena; Our sense of cause and effect, or some analogy, holds, and rightly holds, that they have a privileged dignity, entitled to our first special attention in physical inquiries." See Natural Philosophy On "Section 190. - translator

(2) Some pillars of the induction method; (3) The refinement of the induction method; (4) The nature of the study changes with the subject; (6) The limit of research, or the outline of all the properties in the universe; (7) Practical application, that is, discussing things in terms of human relations; (8) Preparation for research; (9) The hierarchy of principles. ①①Kachin pointed out that among the nine kinds of assistance, only one kind has been completed, and some of the other kinds are only fragmentary. We know that all these nine kinds of help are only part of the middle part, and the whole book is only the second part of "The Great Revival". From this, we can't help but think how great Bacon's whole plan is and the completed part How tiny. - translator

Items below the first five). (There is still a long and subtle part of Ellis's note, which cannot be fully translated here. If scholars can refer to it, they will gain something. However, as Fleur said here, one thing to keep in mind when reading , that is, since Ellis wrote this note, the dynamic theory of heat has made many new gains in terms of evidence. Kachin pointed out that Bacon's illustration of his method ends here. At the beginning, these twenty quotations seemed to be Regarded as the most precious part of the whole book, a separate edition was published in Leyden in 1638.——Translator

)two two There are twenty-seven kinds of so-called priority cases, ① discussed one by one later. ① Fleur notes that, according to Article 52 of Book II, these cases of priority are first divided into two categories: one is about knowledge (1-20), and the other is about action (21-20). 7); the first department is divided into two parts: One is to help the understanding (1-15), and the other is to help the senses (16-20).There are also subdivisions, you can read Article 52 of this article. Kachin commented that there are not many arrangements here; the overall intention is too cumbersome and not suitable for general use; the titles and subheadings are often out of imagination.There are, however, certain instances which, in practice, are constantly being exploited. - translator

(1) Isolated instances—some things have nothing in common with other things except that they share the nature in question, and any instance showing this is called an isolated instance; The case in which the nature in question is in all respects similar to something else is also called a single case. ①Obviously, this kind of case can shorten the distance of the elimination method, and can speed up and strengthen the process of the elimination method; in this case, the minority and the majority have the same effect. ① Kachin pointed out that these two unique cases are exactly the same as the two experimental methods mentioned by Mill, namely the Method of Agreement and the Method of Difference.See the first and second sections of the eighth chapter of the third volume of "Logic" written by Mill.

for example.Suppose we are investigating the property of colour, ① prisms and crystals are separate cases. They not only show color in themselves, but also put color out on walls, dewdrops, etc.Thus they have nothing in common with the colors fixed in flowers, in colored stones, in metals, in wood, etc., except in colour.From this example we can easily detect that the so-called color is nothing but a variety of the light cast on the object. different organizational structures.These are single instances of similarity. ① Kachin pointed out that Newton (Sir I. Newton) later discovered the synthesis of light, which also relied on these examples of color (see Sections 18 and 275 of Tractatus Natural Philosophy written by Herschel).Bacon's explanation here is close to the truth, and shows a high degree of sensitivity. - translator

In the investigation of the same pair of colours, the distinct black and white veins in mica stones, or the variegated markings in many flowers of the same genus, also count as isolated instances. For the black and white stripes in a mica stone, or the red and white spots in a carnation, are identical in almost every respect except colour.From these instances we can easily detect that color has little to do with the true nature of a body, but depends only on the coarser, so to speak, mechanical arrangement of its molecules.These are single instances of difference.Such instances of both aspects I call isolated instances, or, to borrow a term from astrologers, wild stars. ①①The original Latin text is Ferinae.Kachin commented that there is no explanation for this word; it is suspected to refer to some irregular celestial bodies observed by ancient astronomers that do not fit into their system. - translator

two three (ii) Cases of emigration—the nature in question is that which does not exist and is in the process of coming into being, or, on the other hand, which originally existed and is in the process of disappearing; The case of migration. ①In this way, no matter in which kind of transition, this case is always two-sided, or rather, one case continues in motion or transition until it reaches the opposite state.Such instances not only accelerate and intensify the process of exclusion, but also drive the positive or the formula itself into a narrow range.For the formula of a thing must be something to be passed on in this process of migration, that is, on the other hand to be eliminated and annihilated.Although every process of elimination advances something positive, it is more decisive when done in the same thing than in different things.As long as only one instance leaks the program, this leads to the discovery of the program in all instances (obvious from all that has been said).And the simpler the migration, the higher should the case be valued.

Looking at the aspect of action, the example of migration is also very useful.Since such examples show the formula in relation to what causes it to exist or to perish, this naturally provides clear guidance for practice in some cases, and thus facilitates the transition to the next case. ② There is, however, a danger to be guarded against in such cases, viz., that it will compel us to associate the form with the causative so much that there is an error concerning the formal from the point of view of the causative. Insights dominate, or at least color, our understanding. It should be noted that energy can always be understood only as a tool for carrying programs. ③ But this layer of danger is easy to prevent and control as long as we can do a qualified elimination process. ④ ① Kachin pointed out that the transformation of water into gas or into ice can be regarded as an appropriate example.Such cases are quite close to the investigation of "hidden processes".

Fleur quotes Playfair as a note: "The mineral world is the great arena for instances of this migration, where various grades of the same nature are seen, from the most perfect state to complete disappearance. For example, shells in the limestone stage, We see it complete in form and structure, and gradually dissolve into finer mica stones, until finally it is indistinguishable." Fleur also quoted Herschel as saying: "This case of migration and another case of so-called transboundary enable me to trace to find that one universal law that permeates the whole of nature, the so-called law of continuity." - Translator ② Qin explained that this is very true.For instances of migration register precisely phenomena produced by the imposition (naturally or unnaturally) of some action upon a substance.Chemistry is full of such episodes. - translator ③ Fleur pointed out that Bacon clearly distinguished the French form from the capable cause here. - translator ④ Fleur commented that after the active cause has ceased to act, the result (that is, exhibiting the nature of the formula) is often still visible.Forms can thus be distinguished from their active causes by means of exclusion.For example, an object will remain hot beyond its usual temperature long after we have stopped rubbing it. - translator Let me now give an example to the case of migration.Suppose the property to be investigated is white.An example here of a migration to becoming or being is the whole and shattered glass.The same can be said for the water as it is and the water that is turbid and frothed.Glass and water are both transparent and not white in their true colors, and smashed glass and smothered water are both white and not transparent. ①We must then inquire what happened to glass and water during this migration.Obviously, Bai's method was transmitted by the smashing of glass and the muddy water.We see, however, that nothing is added here except that the glass and water are broken into small parts and air is admitted.From this we know that two bodies which are equally transparent but of different degrees (i.e., water and air, or glass and air), when their tiny parts are mixed together, pass through the uneven bending of light. , showing white color.In terms of discovering Bai's procedures, this is not a small improvement. ① Kachin pointed out that when the glass is in a complete state and the water is in an undisturbed state, both allow light to pass through and only make a small refraction, so it does not give us the feeling of whiteness; and once the glass is smashed into pieces Powder, the refraction situation is not the same as before, a large amount of light is reflected in its natural state, and the feeling of whiteness is transmitted to the eyes.Kachin also quoted Herschel as saying: "Reading this and many other examples in this book, one will almost think that these statements are simply copied from Newton's "Optics" (if the book had been written at that time uttered).”—Translator But at the same time, an example should be given to point out the danger I just mentioned and the precautions that should be taken.For from this point an understanding led astray by this generative cause is apt to receive a hint that air is always necessary in the form of white, or that white can be produced only from transparent bodies; Totally wrong, there are countless excluded cases that show that they cannot be established. Indeed, we shall see (leaving aside air and the like) that a body whose molecules (which touch the eye) are perfectly even is transparent; All objects with uneven molecules and compound but regular structure are all colors except black; all objects with uneven molecules but compound, chaotic and irregular structures are black. 1 The above is an example of a case of migration to generation or existence in the nature of whiteness.As for cases of migration to the side of reduction, still in terms of the nature of whiteness, one may cite the foam or snow in the process of dissolution.Here, water cancels whiteness and adds transparency as it returns to its complete state expelled from the air. ① Fleur pointed out that this explanation about the color of objects is only speculation.We don't have, at least not yet, enough evidence to determine the conditions under which various objects absorb color.In Newton's Optics (Book II, Part III) there is a curious and interesting attempt to determine the same question.For example, he once thought that "the size of the molecules that make up a natural object can be measured by the color of the object"; There are very few points”; he also said that “the microscope will eventually be improved to be able to find the molecules in objects on which the color depends, even if it cannot be said that it has now reached that degree of perfection”. In Bacon's other book "Valerius Terminus" (Chapter 1), there is a long theory about color, which can be found here. - translator Here, too, it must not be neglected, that the so-called migratory cases include not only those transitions to birth and death, but also those transitions to increase and decrease; It is clear from the definition of formula discussed above, and the scale of degrees listed.Taking paper as an example, it is white when it is dry, but when it is wet (that is, after the air is expelled and water is introduced), it becomes less white and becomes more transparent.This is similar to the example given above. twenty four (3) Prominent cases—this has already been mentioned in the initial harvest of heat, and may also be called cases of glory or cases of gaining freedom and dominance. ①In such cases, the nature in question is displayed nakedly and uniquely; its exaltation of the highest power is also exhibited, since it is freed and removed from all obstacles, or at least It controls, suppresses and oppresses these obstacles with its power.We know that each object contains many forms of many properties, which are connected in a specific state, and the result is that they destroy each other, suppress each other, break down and restrain each other, so that each form is dimmed.But we also see that in some objects the desired quality appears more strongly than in others, either because no obstacle is absent, or because its own virtue predominates.This kind of example shows the program very strikingly.At the same time, we must also be vigilant against it, to curb the impetuosity of understanding.In general, everything that presents the formula too plainly, as if to force the attention of the understanding to its attention, should be regarded as suspicious and watched over, by recourse to strict and careful exclusion. ① Kachin commented that such cases are always eye-catching plots, which can most often lead to valuable discoveries. A case or two of this kind, once in dexterous hands, has often led to truths before the thought of applying Baconian methods.Magnetism has been cited by Herschel as an eminent instance of polarity, Tractatus 365. - translator Give an example.The property under investigation is assumed to be heat.The gas thermometer is a striking example of that expansive motion which (as discussed above) is the principal factor in the heat process.In the case of flame, although it also manifests expansion conspicuously, it does not, because it is extinguished for a moment, show the progress of expansion.In the case of boiling water, the expansion of the water in itself cannot be clearly shown, because of its easy transition to steam or air.As for flaming iron and similar bodies, they are still far less able to show the progress of expansion, even as their essence is destroyed and broken by the thick and compact molecules that bind and suppress it. It doesn't seem obvious in itself. ①The thermometer is different from them all, it shows the expansion of the air strikingly, shows it at the same time is obvious, progressive, permanent, and without transition. ②①Kachin pointed out that this case is not good; because gold is heavier than mercury, and it will become liquid when heated; while mercury will become solid at a certain temperature. - translator ② Fleur commented that, for example, when water is converted into steam, it transcends itself and transitions into steam; here it means that the expansion of air does not have this situation. - translator Take another example.Suppose the property under investigation is weight.A striking example here is mercury. ①Mercury is much heavier than all substances other than gold, even gold is heavier than it. ② But mercury is a better example than gold as a measure of weight.Gold is solid and solid, and these characteristics seem to be related to density; mercury is liquid and rich in essence, but it is much heavier than diamond and other objects that claim to be the hardest.From this example it is clear that the weight or measure of weight depends solely on the quantity of matter and not on the compactness of its structure. ①Kachin pointed out, refer to the tenth example of Article 18 of Volume 2 and the first point of difference in Article 20.It seems that Bacon always wanted to draw a line of distinction between the expansion of the so-called tiny molecules and the expansion of the whole object. ② This error is also found in Bacon's "Historia Densiet Rari" (Historia Densiet Rari).There he says that the ratio of mercury to gold is about thirty-nine to forty; the true ratio is slightly higher at seven to ten. The reason for this error is mostly due to the method he adopted when conducting experiments.