Rational Thoughts on the Powers of Human Understanding (German Logic)

Preface ###

by unskilled tradesmen, but rather by merely self-conceited bunglers, yet even those who are now unable to see in their blindness will eventually have their eyes opened. Let one study something thorough in mathematics and philosophy Welt-Weißheit; literally "world-wisdom," the standard 18th-century German term for philosophy, encompassing logic, ethics, and natural sciences when he arrives at the university; only then will he realize how the decrees Rescripte; official written orders or edicts issued by a sovereign issued by our most gracious King and Lord out of his paternal concern for the land (a) emphasize it.

(a) The content of one of the Royal Decrees is this: The professors shall make helpful representations to each and every person residing at our University of Halle The University of Halle was a center of the German Enlightenment and the primary site of Wolff's career and eventual exile. who studies at their own expense, whoever they may be, that they should apply themselves during the first year primarily to philosophical studies original: studia Philosophica and more refined literature original: elegantiorem litteraturam; referring to the humanities, classical languages, and rhetoric, but afterward, once they have laid good foundations original: fundamenta, they may then proceed to the higher faculties original: ad superiores Facultates; in the traditional university hierarchy, these were the professional schools of Theology, Law, and Medicine. However, those who [receive] our own [stipends] or in our—