system of smatterers and sophists. The first period in the
medieval study of logic had in fact passed its zenith and
was already nearing its fall. A new one arose in the
following century, far more important from a scientific
point of view, but really less characteristic for the history
of western culture because its materials were imported
ready-made and in gross from Byzantine compilations and
from the Arabic versions of Aristotle. It was not like
the older western logic, of native growth, painfully preserved through dim ages, and in some remarkable cases
depending for existence upon the chance survival of a
single seed, which sent the acutest observer back upon
his own mental resources even to guess at the form and
structure of the mature organism. At the time however
with which we are concerned logic had for the most part
been degraded into idle casuistry and trifling ; x it had
fallen into the hands of inferior men. The name of
Aristotle was dragged down by people who, in William Dragmat. .
of Conches phrase, were not worthy to be his scullions ;
and these conceited pretenders even z Adam of the Petit
Pont, who knew better designedly made their lessons as
obscure and intricate as possible, in order to attract pupils
who learned only for display.[1] The more capable teachers
were gradually forsaking the schools or else giving them
selves up to theology, to natural science, or to some other
study which was not so much infested by the noisy crowd.
John of Salisbury therefore, who had praise only for sound and honest work, and for the modesty and tolerance of the true philosopher, early parted company with the professional dialecticians. Afterwards at Canterbury, (where though he did not perhaps actually occupy the post of a teacher, a he seems to have been regarded in a
- ↑ William of Conches has more Ithan one description of these cox- Icombs ; see below Appendix vi and Ivii. Compare too the Dragmaticon ](Desubstantiis physicis)iii. p. 63 : I In nugis sunt subtiles, in neces- iriis tardi ct hebetes, sed no lil fecisse cum repatriaverint videantur, ex pellibus vitulinis bene pumicatis et levigatis cum amplis interlineis libros componi faciunt, eosque coopertoriis rubeis et impressis vestiunt : sicque cum sapiente sacculo et in- sipiente animo ad parcntes suos recurrunt.
