The Scottish Philosophy [282]
13 and 26. Jan. 25, no questions. Feb. 8, 22. March 8, none. 13. [March 22, 1758.] Mr. Gordon. -- What is the origin of polytheism? Handled, Aug. 10. 14. [March 22, 1758.] Mr. Gerard. -- What are the proper subjects of demonstrative reasoning? Handled, Aug. 23, and Sept. 13 15. [April 12.] Mr. Farquhar. -- Upon what the characters of men chiefly depend? Nov. 15 16. [April 12.] What is the apparent figure of the heavens, and what are the causes of it? Humanist, Nov. 15 17. [April 12.] Whether justice be a natural or artificial virtue. Nov. 22. April 22. 18. [April 22] Mr. Farquhar. -- In the perfection of what faculty does genius consist? Or if in a combination of faculties what are they? Superseded, because the subject of Mr. Gerard's discourses. 19. What are the parts of the body so connected with the several faculties of the mind that the destruction of those parts brings on a destruction of the exercise of those faculties. Dec. 13. 20. Dr. Gregorie. -- What are the plants that enrich a soil and what are those that impoverish it, and what are the causes of their enriching it, and impoverishing it? Feb.11, 1759 21. Dr. Skene. -- Wherein does happiness consist? March 28. 22. Whether the ideas of mixed modes are to be considered as the mere creatures of the mind, or are formed after patterns, as well as the ideas of the substances whereof they are modes. Mr. Trail, Feb.11, 1759. 23. Mr. Campbell. -- Whether matter has a separate and permanent existence. [previous sentence crossed out] The nature of contrariety. May 30. 24. Mr. Stewart. -- Whether the sense of hearing may not be asserted by act, in like manner as that of seeing is by optical glasses. April it. 25. Mr. Reid. -- Whether mankind with regard to morals always was and is the same. June 12. 26. In what cases and for what causes is lime a proper manure? Mr. Thos. Gordon. July 24, and Aug. 14 27. Mr. Gerard. -- What is the origin of civil government? June 26. 28. Mr. Farquhar. -- What is the foundation of moral obligation? Sept. 26. 29. Mr. Ross. -- How can it be accounted for that an inflammable spirit is obtained from regenerated tartar (vinegar saturated with chalk or saccharum saturne by distillation)? Or how comes it about that vinegar is restored to the state of an ardent spirit by being distilled with fixed alkali, chalk, or lead? Oct. 16, 1759 30. Dr. Gregorie.-Whether the Socratic method of instruction or that of prelection is preferable. Jan. 8, 1760. 31. How far the ancient method of education in public seminaries from earliest infancy was preferable or inferior to the modern practice. By Dr. Skene, NOV. 27, 1759 32. Mr. Trail. -- What is the Agrian law which will conduce most to the populousness of a nation? Or what is the maximum of estates fittest for that purpose? {469} 33. Whether education in public schools or by private tutors be preferable. Principal Campbell, Dec. ", 1759, and Feb. 26, 1760. 34. Mr. Stewart. -- Whether the time allotted for teaching Greek in the universities of Scotland be not too short, and, if so, what would be the proper remedy. Feb. 26, 1760. 35. Mr. Reid. -- Whether it is proper to educate children without instilling principles into them of any kind whatsoever. April 1, 1760. 36. Mr. Gordon. -- Whether there be not, in the very nature of our reaching societies, a tendency to stop farther advancement in those branches of learning which they profess. And, if it is so, what is the best remedy. June 24, and July 9, 1760. 37. Prof. Gerard. -- In what manner the general course of education may be conducted so as it may answer best as a preparation for the different businesses of life. Aug. 12, 1760. 38. What is the best method for training to the practice of virtue? Mr. Farquhar. Dec. 9, 1760. 39. What are the natural consequences of high national debt; and whether, upon the whole, it be a benefit to a nation or not? Dr. Gregorie. Jan. 13, 1761. 40. Whether paper credit be beneficial