| I. | |
| Whoever desires an effect | desires the cause of that effect |
| Everyone desires the happiness which is caused by virtue | everyone desires virtue |
The case is manifestly untrue.
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'He who has a confirmed habit of any kind of action exercises no self-denial in the practice of that action; a good man has a confirmed habit of virtue; therefore he who exercises self-denial in the practice of virtue is not a good man.'—(Arist. Eth. Bk. II., from Whately.)
| VI. | I. | ||
| He who has a habit, &c. | exercises no self‑denial | He who exercises no self‑denial in the practice of virtue | is good |
| A good man has this habit with respect to virtue | He exercises no self‑denial with respect to virtue | He who does exercise &c. | N. C. |
The conclusion drawn is fallacious, the second theorem being based on contrast.
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'According to theologians, a man must possess faith to be acceptable to the Deity; now he who believes all the fables of heathen mythology must possess faith; therefore such a one must, according to theologians, be acceptable to the Deity.'
'Faith' is ambiguous, meaning in the precedent, spiritual aspiration, and in the case ignorant credulity.
***