The Divine Lamp

I beg to inform the reader that in the following disquisitions it is my intention to be guided by two principles.

The first is, that in explaining the facts of the human soul,”we must not assume less than is necessary for that explanation.”

The reason of this is evident: so long as we do not assume all that is necessay, we shall never be able to say  with truth that the facts have been adequately explained.  Thus, for example, if by way of accounting for the two different sensations of color and of sound, I were to say that both are produced by a single sense-i.e., either the sight or the hearing-my explanation would certainly be deemed insufficient; for know one could ever be made to understand how it is possible for the eye to hear sounds or for the ear to see colors.

The second principle is, that “we must not assume more than is necessary.”

Whatever is assumed over and above the requirements of the explanation is mere surplusage, an element introduced into the argument without any reason, and which can, therefore, be denied with as good a right as it can be asserted.  For example, if some one were to tell us that two different sensories are required for producing a single kind of sensation, we should only be astonished at his want of sense in assigning two causes to a fact for which one cause is evidently enough.

Wherefore those who apply themselves to investigate the nature of the human soul should always admit without hesitation what is really necessary, in order to satisfactorily to account for all those characteristic facts which can be ascertained through an accurate and complete observation; but nothing beyond.

Briefly: Of all complete explanations of the facts of the human soul, let that one be p[referred which is simplest and requires fewest suppositions.  (From the opening chapter of THE ORIGIN OF IDEAS, by Blessed Antonio Rosmini.  The work is public domain.)

Antonio Rosmini was recently declared “Blessed” as his cause for canonization continues.  HERE is a good introduction to his life and thought by Denis Cleary.  HERE is a pamphlet written by Rosmini himself which serves as an introduction to his critique of other philosophers and to his own thought.  Finally, HERE is a link to an online copy of his most famous work OF THE FIVE WOUNDS OF THE HOLY CHURCH.  This is excellent, and, non-philosophical.  In may ways, it is as timely today as it was when he wrote it in 1832.