I/N the Libraries of some of the Scotch Colleges are collected a number of the theses which had been defended in the Scottish Universities in the seventeenth century.These seem to fall under the heads of Theses Logicae, Theses Ethicae, Theses Physicae, Theses Sphericae.Aristotle still rules both in logic and ethics.In logic, there is much abstract enunciation, and there are many acute distinctions in regard to Ens and unity, singulars and universals; and in ethics, the discussions are about virtue and vice, and choice.In physics, there are rational and deductive investigations of the nature of motion and resistance.
During the century, the courses of study differ somewhat in the different universities, but still there is a general correspondence.In the course of Philosophy the Regents use Aristotle <De Anima>, Porphyry's Introduction, the Categories of Aristotle, the Dialectics of Ramus, and the Rhetoric of Vossius, with the works of such writers as Crassotus, Reas, Burgersdicius, Ariaga, Oviedo, &c.The ethics include politics and economics, and there are discussions about the nature of habits.It is scarcely necessary to say that all topics are treated in a logical and rational, and not in an observational, manner and spirit.
The Parliamentary Commission for visiting the universities, appointed in 1690, and following years, directed, in 1695, the {23} professors of philosophy in St.
Andrews to prepare the heads of a system of logic, and the corresponding professors in Edinburgh to prepare a course of metaphysics.The compends drawn up in consequence were passed from one college to another for revision there is no evidence that they were finally sanctioned, but they may be accepted as giving a fair idea of the instructions in philosophy conveyed in the universities of Scotland at the close of the eighteenth century, -- at the very time when Locke's Essay was finding its way so rapidly over the three kingdoms. Logic is called the instrument to acquire other sciences, inasmuch as it prescribes rules for rightly apprehending, judging, and arguing.It is said to be defined by others as the science which directs the operations of the mind for finding out truth in every other science.It is represented as treating of the three operations of apprehension, judgment, and discourse, to which some add a fourth part, on method, under which analysis and synthesis are explained.In all this there is nothing but the commonplace of by-gone ages.But in this same text-book of logic we have the distinction drawn in the Port Royal Logic, between the extension and comprehension of the notion, adopted and stated."We must distinguish betwixt the extension and comprehension of an idea.All the essential attributes of an idea are called its comprehension, as being, substance, vegetative, sensitive, and rational are the comprehension of man; but Peter, Paul, &c., contained under man, are called the extent of man." It can be shown that this distinction comes down in an unbroken historical chain in Glasgow to Sir W.Hamilton, who has so profitably amplified and applied it.It is found in the Introduction to Logic by Carmichael, and in the Logical Compend of Hutcheson; and the latter continued to be used in Glasgow till towards the time when Hamilton was a student there.
Metaphysics are said to be defined by some, as a science of being as being; by others as a speculative science, which considers being in general, and its properties and kinds, as abstracted from matter.The benefits arising from the study of metaphysics are said to be, that treating of undoubted truths and axioms, we are enabled by their assistance the better to discover truths generally, and avoid errors; that as dividing {24} beings into classes it keeps us from confusion; that giving general names to common and abstracted beings, it aids the understanding in every kind of learning, and specially in theology, in which use is made of metaphysical terms.The first part of metaphysics treats of the principles of being, and of the various species of beings.The second part treats of the properties of being, such as unity, verity, goodness; and under this head we have abstract discussions as to the finite and infinite, the necessary and contingent, the absolute and relative, cause and effect, means and end, substance and quality.Such was the pabulum on which college youths fed during the century.
This was the learning which helped to sharpen the intellects of such men as Henderson, Rutherford, Leighton, Gillespie, Baillie, Dickson, Burnet (Bishop), Stair (Lord), and Carstairs, who acted so important a part in the affairs of their country.
