Leviathan (1651)/Chapter 9

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CHAP. IX.
Of the Severall Subiects of Knowledge.

THere are of Knowledge two kinds; whereof one is Knowledge of Fact: the other Knowledge of the Consequence of one Affirmation to another. The former is nothing else, but Sense and Memory, and is Absolute Knowledge; as when we see a Fact doing, or remember it done: And this is the Knowledge required in a Witnesse. The later is called Science; and is Conditionall; as when we know, that, If the figure showne be a Circle, then any straight line through the Center shall divide it into two equall parts. And this is the Knowledge required in a Philosopher; that is to say, of him that pretends to Reasoning.

The Register of Knowledge of Fact is called History. Whereof there be two sorts: one called Naturall History; which is the History of such Facts, or Effects of Nature, as have no Dependance on Mans Will; Such as are the Histories of Metalls, Plants, Animals, Regions, and the like. The other, is Civill History; which is the History of the Voluntary Actions of men in Common-wealths.

The Registers of Science, are such Books as contain the Demonstrations of Consequences of one Affirmation, to another; and are commonly called Books of Philosophy; whereof the sorts are many, according to the diversity of the Matter; And may be divided in such manner as I have divided them in the following Table.

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  • ▶ Science, that is, Knowledge of Consequences; which is called also Philosophy.
    • ▶ Consequences from the Accidents of Bodies Naturall; which is called Naturall Philosophy.
      • ▶ Consequences from the Accidents common to all Bodies Naturall; which are Quantity, and Motion.
        • ▶ Consequences from Quantity, and Motion indeterminate; which being the Principles, or first foundation of Philosophy, is called Philosophia Prima.
          • ▶ Philosophia Prima.
        • ▶ Consequences from Motion, and Quantity determined.
          • ▶ Consequences from Quantity, and Motion determined
            • ▶ By Figure, . . . By Number, . . .
              • ▶ Mathematiques,
                • ▶ Geometry.
                • ▶ Arithmetique.
          • ▶ Consequences from the Motion, and Quantity of Bodies in speciall.
            • ▶ Consequences from the Motion, and Quantity of the great parts of the World, as the Earth and Starres,
              • ▶ Cosmography,
                • ▶ Astronomy.
                • ▶ Geography.
            • ▶ Consequences from the Motion of Speciall kinds, and Figures of Body,
              • ▶ Mechaniques,
                • ▶ Science of Engineers.
                • ▶ Architecture.
                • ▶ Navigation.
              • ▶ Doctrine of Weight,
      • ▶ Physiques, or Consequences frō Qualities.
        • ▶ Consequences from the Qualities of Bodyes Transient, such as sometimes appear, sometimes vanish, . . . Meteorology.
        • ▶ Consequences from the Qualities of Bodies Permanent.
          • ▶ Consequences from the Qualities of the Starres.
            • ▶ Consequences from the Light of the Starres. Out of this, and the Motion of the Sunne, is made the Science of . . . Sciography.
            • ▶ Consequences from the Influence of the Starres, . . . Astrology.
          • ▶ Consequences of the Qualities from Liquid Bodies that fill the space between the Starres; such as are the Ayre, or substance ætheriall.
          • ▶ Consequences from the Qualities of Bodies Terrestriall.
            • ▶ Consequences from the parts of the Earth, that are without Sense,
              • ▶ Consequences from the Qualities of Minerals, as Stones, Metalls, &c.
              • ▶ Consequences from the Qualities of Vegetables.
            • ▶ Consequences from the Qualities of Animals.
              • ▶ Consequences from the Qualities of Animals in generall
                • ▶ Consequences from Vision, . . . Optiques.
                • ▶ Consequences from Sounds, . . . Musique.
                • ▶ Consequences from the rest of the Senses.
              • ▶ Consequences from the Qualities of Men in speciall
                • ▶ Consequences from the Passions of Men, . . . Ethiques.
                • ▶ Consequences from Speech,
                  • ▶ In Magnifying, Vilifying, &c. . . . Poetry.
                  • ▶ In Perswading, . . . Rhethorique.
                  • ▶ In Reasoning, . . . Logique.
                  • ▶ In Contracting, . . . The Science of Just and Uniust.
    • ▶ Consequences from the Accidents of Politique Bodies; which is called Politiques, and Civill Philosophy.
      • ▶ 1. Of Consequences from the Institution of Common-wealths, to the Rights, and Duties of the Body Politique, or Soveraign.
      • ▶ 2. Of Consequences from the same, to the Duty, and Right of the Subjects.

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