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in no way susceptible of proof, such study consisting
in going deep into statements and concepts
which careful examination would establish as not even
unlikely, but rather as unalloyed superstition, and representing
the investigation of useless conceits and the
chasing of absurdities. There can be no doubt that to
concern oneself with such illusions, to examine into
and lengthily debate such idle propositions, is nothing
but a waste of time and a marring of the days of one's
life. Not only this, but it also prevents the individual
from undertaking the study of those arts and sciences
of which society stands in dire need. The individual
should, prior to engaging in the study of any subject,
ask himself what its uses are and what fruit and result
will derive from it. If it is a useful branch of knowledge,
that is, if society will gain important benefits from it,
then he should certainly pursue it with all his heart.
If not, if it consists in empty, profitless debates and in
a vain concatenation of imaginings that lead to no result
except acrimony, why devote one's life to such
useless hairsplittings and disputes.
Because this matter requires further elucidation and
a thorough hearing, so that it can be fully established
that some of the subjects which today are neglected are
extremely valuable, while the nation has no need whatever
of various other, superfluous studies, the point
will, God willing, be developed in a second volume.
Our hope is that a reading of this first volume will produce
fundamental changes in the thinking and the behavior
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