[An Essay Concerning Humane Understanding, Volume II. by John Locke]@TWC D-Link bookAn Essay Concerning Humane Understanding, Volume II. CHAPTER XII 9/15
Here, again, for assurance, I must apply myself to experience; as far as that reaches, I may have certain knowledge, but no further. 10.
Experience may procure is Convenience, not Science. I deny not but a man, accustomed to rational and regular experiments, shall be able to see further into the nature of bodies, and guess righter at their yet unknown properties, than one that is a stranger to them: but yet, as I have said, this is but judgment and opinion, not knowledge and certainty.
This way of GETTING AND IMPROVING OUR KNOWLEDGE IN SUBSTANCES ONLY BY EXPERIENCE AND HISTORY, which is all that the weakness of our faculties in this state of mediocrity which we are in this world can attain to, makes me suspect that NATURAL PHILOSOPHY IS NOT CAPABLE IS BEING MADE A SCIENCE.
We are able, I imagine, to reach very little general knowledge concerning the species of bodies, and their several properties.
Experiments and historical observations we may have, from which we may draw advantages of ease and health, and thereby increase our stock of conveniences for this life; but beyond this I fear our talents reach not, nor are our faculties, as I guess, able to advance. 11.
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