ANALYTIC

ANALYTIC, Analytical, something that belongs to, or partakes of the Nature of Analysis. See ANALYSIS. Thus, we say, an Analytical Demonstration; Analytical Enquiry; Analytical Table, or Scheme; Analytic Method, etc. See METHOD. The Analytic Method stands opposed to the Synthetic—As in Mathematics, says Sir Isaac Newton, so in Natural Philosophy, the Investigation of difficult Things by the Analytic Method, ought to precede the Method of Composition. This Analysis consists in making Experiments, and Observations, and in drawing general Conclusions therefrom by Induction, and admitting of no Objections against the Conclusions, but such as are drawn from Experiments and other certain Truths. And though the arguing from Experiments and Observations by Induction, be no Demonstration of general Conclusions; yet it is the best way of arguing which the Nature of the Things admits of; and may be esteemed so much the stronger, as the Induction is more general. And if no Exception occur from Phenomena, the Conclusion may be pronounced generally. By this way of Analysis, we may proceed from Compounds to Ingredients; and from Motions to the Forces producing them; and in general, from Effects to their Causes, and from particular Causes to more general ones, till the Argument end in the most general. This is the Analytic Method. The Synthetic consists in assuming the Causes discovered, and established as Principles; and by them explaining the Phenomena proceeding from them, and proving the Explanations. See SYNTHESIS.

ANALYTIC