3

Logic II 3

Nature of Natural Classification

the science of the remote future. On the other hand, if
classifications are to be restricted to sciences actually
existing at the time the classifications are made, the classifications certainly
ought to differ from age to age. If Plato's classification
was satisfactory in his day, it cannot be good today; and
if it is, it only shows be good now, the inference will be that it was bad when he proposed
it.

It is plain that This business of classifying sciences is
not one to be undertaken precipitately or off-hand, We that is plain
ought not to We should not begin the execution of the task until we have
well considered, first, what classification is; and secondly,
what science is.

What mode of classifying anything is to be preferred depends
entirely upon what use the classification is to be put to.
For example, the alphabetic arrangement is certainly
the best for the index of a book; and readers will
never cease to curse the writers, a German [mostly?] most likely, -- who