PREFACE THEY who have presumed to dogmatize on nat.ure, as on some well investign.ted subject, either from self-conceit or arrogance, and in the professorial style, have inflicted the grcRtest injury on philosophy and learning. Fol.' they have tended to stifle and interrupt inquiry exactly in pro� portion a8 they have prevailed in bringing others to their olJinion: and their own activity has not counterbalanced the mischief they have occasiolled by corrupting and de� stroying that of others. They again who have entered upon a contrary course, and asserted that nothing whatever can be known, whether they hnve fallen into this opinion from their hatred of the ancient sophists, or from the hesitation of their millds, or from an exuberance of learning, have certainly adduced reasons for it. which are by no menns contemptible. They hayc not, however, derived their opinion from. true sources, and, hurried on by their zeal and some affectation, have certainly exceeded due moAbout the Publisher Forgotten Books is a publisher of historical writings, such as: Philosophy, Classics, Science, Religion, History, Folklore and Mythology.Forgotten Books' Classic Reprint Series utilizes the latest technology to regenerate facsimiles of historically important writings. Careful attention has been made to accurately preserve the original format of each page whilst digitally enhancing the difficult to read text. Read books online for free at www.forgottenbooks.org