BOOK I PART II
There are many philosophers, who refuse to
assign any standard of equality, but assert, that
it is sufficient to present two objects, that are
equal, in order to give us a just notion of this
proportion. All definitions, say they, are fruit-
less, without the perception of such objects;
and where we perceive such objects, we no
longer stand in need of any definition. To this
reasoning, I entirely agree; and assert, that the
only useful notion of equality, or inequality, is
derived from the whole united appearance and
the comparison of particular objects.
It is evident, that the eye, or rather the mind
is often able at one view to determine the pro-
portions of bodies, and pronounce them equal
to, or greater or less than each other, without
examining or comparing the number of their
minute parts. Such judgments are not only