Elements of Philosophy

Comprising Logic and Ontology, or General Metaphysics by Rev. Walter H. Hill, S.J. 1892

After reading Aristotle’s Logic and Metaphysics recently, this book certainly clarified and explained several key concepts.  Hill introduces each core topic and then goes on to explain them in a concise, easy to understand terminology.  The topics move along very quickly and  the concepts are only briefly explained.  The author does not try to teach a new course of philosophy, but rather explain where things are as of this date (1892).  There are several Latin and Greek phrases interspersed as needed, but nothing that a rudimentary knowledge of these would not be able to overcome.

Reading this book gave me the impression I had the professors notebook.  In the Preface it states, “The author derived much help from notes taken in private study years ago, but which were prepared with no thought of ever employing them for any other purpose than his own instruction.”  Keeping that in mind, the structure makes sense.  I am sure I will refer back and reread sections of this book again.  The section on syllogisms I found particularly useful.

“Logic explains the laws of right reasoning; it is, when considered under different respects, both a natural gift, and the result of art.  Artificial Logic derives its value from the natural, whose principles it aims to express in a few clear and invariable formulae.  Logic, considered as practically directing the mind in reasoning, is an art; but inasmuch as it explains and proves the precepts of correct argument by their reasons, furnishes the means and the criteria of certainty, or propounds the truth of cognition, it is a science.”

Overall, this book is not for an absolute beginner, but if you are studying philosophy it will help in giving an overall look at the terms and definitions.