ABSTRACT
The end I had in view in this exposition of astronomical philosophy will be attained if I have clearly exhibited, in regard both to method and to doctrine, the true general character of this admirable science, which is the immediate foundation of the whole of natural philosophy. We have seen the human mind, by means of geometrical and mechanical researches, and with the help of constantly improving mathematical aids, attaining to a precision of logical excellence superior to any that other branches of knowledge admit of. We see the various phenomena of our system numerically estimated, as the different aspects of the same general fact, rigorously defined, and continually reproduced before our eyes in the commonest terrestrial phenomena; so that the great end of all our positive studies, the exact prevision of events, has been attained as completely as could be desired, in regard alike to the certainty and extent of the prevision. We have seen how this science must operate in liberating the human intellect forever from all theological and metaphysical thraldom by showing that the most general phenomena are subjected to invariable relations, and that the order of the heavens is necessary and spontaneous. This last consideration belongs more particularly to a subsequent part of this work; but it has been our business to point out as we went along how the development of astronomical science has shown us that the universe is not destined for the passive satisfaction of man, but that man, superior in intelligence to whatever else he sees, can modify for his good, within certain determinate limits, the system of phenomena of which he forms a part—being enabled to do this by a wise exercise of his activity, disengaged from all oppressive terror, and directed by an accurate knowledge of natural laws. Lastly, we have seen that the field of positive philosophy lies wholly within the limits of our solar system, the study of the universe being inaccessible in any positive sense.
