ployment of the term Philosophy as applied to the highest school, as we find it in his Discourse delivered at the first commencement, 17 May, I/57. 2
A person who knows himself endued with reason and understanding, will not be content to take his knowledge entirely at second hand, on subjects so important as the nature and fitness of things, and the Summum Bonum of man; he will not care to rely wholly on a Historical Knowledge, founded on the Experience and Testimony of others; however much his labors may be shortened thereby. He will think it his duty to examine for himself, and to acquire a Moral and Physical knowledge; founded on his own Experience and Observation. This is what we call Philosophy in general; comprehending in it the knowledge of all things Human and Divine, so far as they can be made the objects of our present inquiries. Now the genuine branches of this Philosophy or great system of Practical Wisdom, together with the necessary instrumental parts thereof, may be included under the following general heads; it appearing to me that the nature of things admits of no more:
1. LANGUAGES, which have been already mentioned rather as an Instrument or Means of Science, than a Branch thereof.
2. LOGIC and Metaphysics, or the Science of the Human Mind; unfolding its powers and directing its operations and reasonings .
3. NATURAL Philosophy, Mathematics, and the rest of her beautiful train of subservient arts, investigating the Physical properties of Body; explaining the various phenomena of Nature; and teaching us to render her subservient to the ease and ornament of Life.
4. MORAL Philosophy; applying all the above to the business and bosoms of men; deducing the laws of our conduct from our situation in life and connexions with the Beings around us; settling the whole (Economy of the Will and Affections; establishing the predominancy of Reason and Conscience, and guiding us to Happiness thro' the practice of Virtue.
5. RHETORIC, or the art of masterly Composition; just Elocution, and sound Criticism: teaching us how to elevate our wisdom in the most amiable and inviting garb; how to give life and spirit to our Ideas, and make our knowledge of the greatest benefit to ourselves and others; and lastly, how to enjoy those pure intellectual pleasures, resulting from a just taste for polite letters, and a true relish for the sprightly Wit, the rich Fancy, the noble Pathos, and the marvelous Sublime, shining forth in the works of the most celebrated Poets, Philosophers, Historians and Orators, with beauties ever pleasing, ever new. * * *
Thus I have given a sketch of the Capital branches of Human 2 Discourses, ed 1759, p 142.
