ON THE PROGRESS OF LOGICAL HUNTING.

affirmed of C, or A denied of C, we will turn in vain to adopting the same terms; for how can it be possible for the same thing to be demonstrated by the same thing? Bruno is warning against circular reasoning, where one tries to prove a conclusion using the conclusion itself. We would also rashly assume something by which C is shown to be present in D, or in any other whatsoever besides these two—namely, the subject and the predicate 5 of the question; for A will never be predicated of C simply because B is predicated of D or any other term. Finally, you will labor in vain by any other method (than you can imagine) in which a term is taken that shares with only one of the extremes, even if this removal goes on 10 to infinity; as if A communicates with B, B with D, D with E, and beyond, you will never reach the point where you conclude that A is predicated of C affirmatively or negatively. Therefore, no syllogism will ever be necessary unless a middle term is selected that relates to both extremes by some form 15 of attribution. The "middle term" acts as the logical glue; without it, the subject and predicate of your conclusion remain disconnected.

folio 4 verso, P edition

SECTION V.

The mode of this connection is derived either from the relationship of the extremes to the middle term, or from the relationship of the middle term to the extremes. Indeed, from the first relationship, either they are such 709 G edition | that 20 one of them is predicated of the middle, while the other is that of which the middle is predicated—and this is the arrangement of the first figure; or both are those of which the middle is predicated—and this is the second figure; or both are those which are predicated of the middle—and this is the arrangement of the third figure. In traditional logic, "figures" are the different ways a middle term can be positioned relative to the subject and predicate. If, however, it is from the other relationship: either (for the first figure) the middle is that of which the first 25 is predicated and is that which is predicated of the second; or (for the second) it is that which is predicated of both; or (for the third) it is that of which both are predicated.