按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
interruptions of any one。 But besides that I neither have so high an
opinion of myself as to be willing to make promise of anything
extraordinary； nor feed on imaginations so vain as to fancy that the public
must be much interested in my designs； I do not； on the other hand； own a
soul so mean as to be capable of accepting from any one a favor of which
it could be supposed that I was unworthy。
These considerations taken together were the reason why； for the last
three years； I have been unwilling to publish the treatise I had on hand；
and why I even resolved to give publicity during my life to no other that
was so general； or by which the principles of my physics might be
understood。 But since then； two other reasons have e into operation
that have determined me here to subjoin some particular specimens； and
give the public some account of my doings and designs。 Of these
considerations； the first is； that if I failed to do so； many who were
cognizant of my previous intention to publish some writings； might have
imagined that the reasons which induced me to refrain from so doing；
were less to my credit than they really are； for although I am not
immoderately desirous of glory； or even； if I may venture so to say；
although I am averse from it in so far as I deem it hostile to repose which I
hold in greater account than aught else； yet； at the same time； I have never
sought to conceal my actions as if they were crimes； nor made use of
many precautions that I might remain unknown； and this partly because I
54
… Page 55…
DISCOURSE ON THE METHOD OF RIGHTLY CONDUCTING THE REASON； AND
SEEKING TRUTH IN THE SCIENCES
should have thought such a course of conduct a wrong against myself； and
partly because it would have occasioned me some sort of uneasiness
which would again have been contrary to the perfect mental tranquillity
which I court。 And forasmuch as； while thus indifferent to the thought
alike of fame or of forgetfulness； I have yet been unable to prevent myself
from acquiring some sort of reputation； I have thought it incumbent on me
to do my best to save myself at least from being ill…spoken of。 The other
reason that has determined me to mit to writing these specimens of
philosophy is； that I am being daily more and more alive to the delay
which my design of self…instruction suffers； for want of the infinity of
experiments I require； and which it is impossible for me to make without
the assistance of others： and； without flattering myself so much as to
expect the public to take a large share in my interests； I am yet unwilling
to be found so far wanting in the duty I owe to myself； as to give occasion
to those who shall survive me to make it matter of reproach against me
some day； that I might have left them many things in a much more perfect
state than I have done； had I not too much neglected to make them aware
of the ways in which they could have promoted the acplishment of my
designs。
And I thought that it was easy for me to select some matters which
should neither be obnoxious to much controversy； nor should pel me
to expound more of my principles than I desired； and which should yet be
sufficient clearly to exhibit what I can or cannot acplish in the
sciences。 Whether or not I have succeeded in this it is not for me to say；
and I do not wish to forestall the judgments of others by speaking myself
of my writings； but it will gratify me if they be examined； and； to afford
the greater inducement to this I request all who may have any objections
to make to them； to take the trouble of forwarding these to my publisher；
who will give me notice of them； that I may endeavor to subjoin at the
same time my reply； and in this way readers seeing both at once will more
easily determine where the truth lies； for I do not engage in any case to
make prolix replies； but only with perfect frankness to avow my errors if I
am convinced of them； or if I cannot perceive them； simply to state what I
think is required for defense of the matters I have written； adding thereto
55
… Page 56…
DISCOURSE ON THE METHOD OF RIGHTLY CONDUCTING THE REASON； AND
SEEKING TRUTH IN THE SCIENCES
no explication of any new matte that it may not be necessary to pass
without end from one thing to another。
If some of the matters of which I have spoken in the beginning of the
〃Dioptrics〃 and 〃Meteorics〃 should offend at first sight； because I call
them hypotheses and seem indifferent about giving proof of them； I
request a patient and attentive reading of the whole； from which I hope
those hesitating will derive satisfaction； for it appears to me that the
reasonings are so mutually connected in these treatises； that； as the last are
demonstrated by the first which are their causes； the first are in their turn
demonstrated by the last which are their effects。 Nor must it be imagined
that I here mit the fallacy which the logicians call a circle； for since
experience renders the majority of these effects most certain； the causes
from which I deduce them do not serve so much to establish their reality
as to explain their existence； but on the co