Improvement of the Mind

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By Listen TheBook Posted on Jun 1, 2023

In Category - Self-Help

Authors: Isaac Watts, Stephen Norris Fellows In Year : 1885

Book Language: English

Audiobook: Improvement of the Mind

Introduction
General Rules for the Improvement of Knowledge
Five Eminent Methods of Gaining Knowledge
Rules Relating to Observation
Of Books and Reading
Judgement of Books
Of Living Instructors and Lectures, of Teachers and Learners
Of Inquiring into the Sense and Meaning of any Writer or Speaker, and especially the Sense of the Sacred Writings
Rules of Improvement by Conversation
Of Disputes and Debates
Of Study, or Meditation
Of Fixing the Attention
On Enlarging the Capacity of the Mind
Of Improving the Memory
Of Determining a Question
Of Inquiring into Causes and Effects
Methods of Teaching and Reading Lectures
Of an Instructive Style
Of Convincing Other Persons of any Truth, or Delivering them from Errors and Mistakes
Of Authority. Of the Abuse of it: and of its Real and Proper Use and Service
Of Treating and Managing the Prejudices of Men

"No man is obliged to learn and know everything; this can neither be sought nor required, for it is utterly impossible; yet all persons are under some obligation to improve their own understanding; otherwise it will be a barren desert, or a forest overgrown with weeds and brambles. Universal ignorance or infinite errors will overspread the mind which is utterly neglected and lies without any cultivation.

The common duties and benefits of society, which belong to every man living, as we are social creatures, and even our native and necessary relations to a family, a neighborhood, or government, oblige all persons, whatsoever, to use their reasoning powers upon a thousand occasions; every hour of life calls for some regular exercise of our judgment, as to time and things, persons and actions: without a prudent and discreet determination in matters before us, we shall be plunged into perpetual errors in our conduct. Now, that which should always be practiced must at some time be learned."

This version has been abridged from Watt's original by Stephen Norris Fellows as follows:
"In endeavoring to adapt it to the needs of the present, the following changes have been made: First — Nearly one-third of the book has been eliminated, as being too theological or too closely related to the age and country of the author. Second — A brief but comprehensive analysis has been prepared, which appears as a table of contents. Third — Prominence is given to some of the more essential doctrines by stating them in large type, while explanatory and illustrative matter is given in smaller type.
But few changes have been made in the text other than those mentioned above, as it seemed desirable to preserve the unique and forcible style of the author. The original work was first published in 1727, and although it is over one hundred and fifty years old, yet its teachings are in substantial harmony with the truest pedagogical doctrines of to-day. It is believed that in its present form and dress it is adapted to private reading, and reading circles, and also as a text-book in Secondary and NormaI Schools." - Summary by Introduction and Preface