Psychologia Empirica

would have held the same place. He therefore consults his own best interest who constantly joins the study of rational psychology with empirical, even if it has been advisable for us that the former be separated from the latter.

The use of empirical psychology in natural law.

Empirical psychology provides principles to natural law. In natural law it is demonstrated which actions are evil and which are good (§. 68 Prelim. Disc.). Now, it is clear from those things which were stated concerning natural law and the law of nations in Horis subsecivis (Year 1729, Trim. winter, no. II, §. 6, 15)—and it will be demonstrated more evidently in due time in universal practical philosophy, and will appear from the system of natural law itself—that the reason for actions, why they are good and evil, is derived from human nature, and consequently also from those things which are inherent in the human mind. Therefore, since empirical psychology contains those things which occur in our soul while we are conscious of them (§. 2), it appears that the reasons for actions that are intrinsically good or evil must also be derived from them. Empirical psychology therefore provides principles to natural law (§. 866 Ontol.).

This obtains primarily in the duties of man toward his own soul.

The use of the same in natural theology.

Empirical psychology serves natural theology and provides it with principles. For in natural theology we treat of God and therefore of His attributes (§. 57 Prelim. Disc.). We shall show, however, in natural theology that we arrive at the notions of divine attributes insofar as we free the notions of those things which are inherent in the human mind from imperfections or limitations. Since, therefore, distinct notions of those things of which the mind can be conscious within itself are handed down in empirical psychology (§. 2), it assists the practitioner of natural theology in forming the notions of divine attributes, and therefore it serves natural theology.

Indeed, since in empirical psychology, as we have just said, distinct notions are handed down of those things which [belong] to the human mind—