ABSTRACT
An inference is that operation of our reason by virtue of which, through comparison of two judgments a third arises without the assistance of any cognizance brought in from elsewhere. The essence of inference consequently consists in our bringing to distinct consciousness the fact that we had already thought the conclusion's assertion along with the premises. When we wish to reflect on something, we gather our data together; they coalesce into judgments, these are all quickly held up to one another and compared, thereby the possible conclusions that follow from them instantly precipitate by means of the use of all three syllogistic figures. Judging, that elementary and the most important thought process, consists in comparing two concepts; inference consists in comparing two judgments. We can regard the voltaic pile as a metaphor for the syllogism: its neutral middle represents the middle term that connects the premises by virtue of which the syllogism has inferential power.
