23. Above, contrary, and according to reason.
By what has been before said of reason, we may be able to make
some guess at the distinction of things into those that are according to, above, and contrary to reason. 1.
According to reason are such propositions whose truth we can discover by examining and tracing those ideas we
have from sensation and reflection; and by natural deduction find to be true or probable. 2. Above reason are such
propositions whose truth or probability we cannot by reason derive from those principles. 3. Contrary to reason
are such propositions as are inconsistent with or irreconcilable to our clear and distinct ideas. Thus the existence
of one God is according to reason; the existence of more than one God, contrary to reason; the resurrection of the
dead, above reason. Above reason also may be taken in a double sense, viz., either as signifying above
probability, or above certainty: and in that large sense also, contrary to reason, is, I suppose, sometimes taken.
