Genre:

Essay

Subjects:

Causation, Deduction, Observation, Education, Natural Law, Botany, Meteorology

    Recommends the importance in education of the student being acquainted with the principal causes in nature, so that multitudinous observed effects can be referred to them. Observes that 'the first principles or elements of science have lately engaged the attention of the instructors of our youth, and produced those admirable systems of interrogative and collective teaching, which have eased the labor both of the teacher and learner'. Notes that Kenny 1830 is based on this approach, and observes that it is 'the principle on which Newton, Boyle, Locke, Watts, and others of our most eminent philosophers proceeded'. To learn about the fundamental causes of nature, the writer recommends 'the shortest and simplest works [...] of which Pinnock's Catechisms will be found one of the best of modern date'. (316) Illustrates the principle by taking a botanical question from Timbs 1831–32, as extracted in 'the Mirror of Jan. 14, 1832'. Suggests that application of this 'catechetically analytical method' will result in 'sound deduction, and perhaps, in some cases, important discovery, since the field of science [...] is still full of ample materials for the diligent enquirer'. (317)