The Danger of Superficial Knowledge; An Introductory Lecture to the Course of Natural Philosophy in the University of Edinburgh - Softcover

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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1849. Excerpt: ... SUPERFICIAL KNOWLEDGE. Gentlemen, Most of you are no novices in study; you have all, probably, enjoyed the advantages of a liberal education. Not to speak of those who may have already completed their university course, and who may be present upon this occasion, the youngest intrant in the Natural Philosophy Class may be assumed to have experienced from early years the benefits of parental discipline, expanding the germs of thought, tending their culture, teaching him to look for solid advantages to be derived from mental and moral government and instruction, to eschew idleness and ignorance as synonymous with shame and degradation. And such as have already passed some years at college, may be believed to have a deeper and more ex B perimental conviction of these truths. Without supposing all to be enthusiasts in learning, it is probably safe to assume that not a single individual, now present, would consent to part with the knowledge which he has actually made good,--to be reduced to the intellectual level of the uninstructed savage,--for the most tempting bribe which the avaricious or the sensual ever coveted. Happily, we have not the choice given us of whether we will learn or not. To make a choice, the intellect must be already so far cultivated. When cultivated even moderately, the choice is already made. To choose a state of brutish ignorance would be to barter the inestimable inheritance of reason for the possession of misery and guilt. The tempting pictures of the joys and innocence of the savage state, which at one time warmed the fancies of some speculative philosophers, are effectually reversed by the shocking disclosure of its disgusting realities. Common sense and experience, as well as the diviner inspiration of Solomon, tell us that "Wisdom...

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