81

Let us apply these principles to the evaluation of the reasonable force of the N.A., beginning by considering how three different mind[s] will esteem the argument; the first being a man of sense that knows nothing at all of logic; the second one who is imbued with current notions of logic; the third a really scientific student of reasoning, a trained scientific man, who has closely studied the reasoning by which science has gained such ground as it has. The first of these men, having really gone through the process of thought in which the argument consists, and not criticizing his reasoning otherwise than as his natural reason prompts, will certainly be unable to resist its Plausibility. He will be thoroughly persuaded by it. It will satisfy his reason; and what more could he ask than to be satisfied?

6O.