Page:O. F. Owen's Organon of Aristotle Vol. 2 (1853).djvu/178

 silliness. If, on the other hand, it does belong to the argument, and is probable, we must say that it seems indeed, but is too near to the original proposition, and that this being admitted, the position is subverted. Still if it be relevant to the argument, but the axiom be very improbable, we must say that from this position, a conclusion indeed follows, but that what is proposed is very silly; and if it be neither improbable nor probable, if indeed it is in no respect relevant to the argument, we must grant it with no definition; but if relevant to the argument, we must signify that the original position is subverted, from this being laid down. For thus the respondent will seem to suffer nothing through himself, if the several things be laid down with foresight, and the interrogator will obtain a syllogism, when all things more probable than the conclusion are admitted by him. Nevertheless, it is clear that they do not syllogize well, who endeavour to argue from things more improbable than the conclusion, wherefore they must not be conceded by the questionists.

Chapter 7
, we must meet those things which are obscurely and multifariously enunciated; for since it is allowed to the respondent, if he does not comprehend, to say, I do not comprehend, and if a thing be multifariously predicated, not to confess, or deny it, of necessity, it is clear that, first, if the statement be not lucid, he must not hesitate to say, that he does not understand it, since frequently, from persons interrogated, not clearly conceding, some difficulty occurs. If however a thing multifariously predicated be known, if too what is asserted be in all things true or false, it must be simply admitted or denied, or if it be partly false and partly true, we must moreover signify