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Documents et études > ARAGO, EULOGY ON AMPÈRE., 1872.
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ing wide generalizations from minute detail must have distinguished his metaphysical researches, 
since it shone with such brilliancy in works on physical mathematics the most solid, or, if you 
prefer, the most generally recognized and the most indisputable foundation of his scientific fame at 
the present day. Ampère, in metaphysics, as nearly as the subject would permit, approximated to the 
experimental method. It certainly is not from his mouth that proceeded those incredible words 
attributed to a psychologist, “I despise you as I do a fact.” 
He, on the contrary, held facts in the highest favor. He showed great fertility in combining them 
with his theories. When, though rarely his efforts in this line were fruitless, theories were 
immediately changed or abandoned. Amongst my hearers there are probably some to whom these words 
will recall both the first ideas of our associate on the instinct of animals and the manner in which 
he modified them. The circumstances of this sudden change seem to merit being preserved. 
Among the most prominent of the many vexed metaphysical questions is, whether animals possess the 
powers of reasoning, or are solely guided by instinct — a question which will, perhaps, be better 
understood by presenting it in these terms: Must we, with Aristotle, concede only feeling and memory 
to the brute creation? Is it true they are without the faculty of comparing their actions and 
drawing conclusions? Ampère, avowing himself on this point a decided peripatetic, in the presence 
of several of his friends, one of them related, in opposition to his views, the following anecdote: 
“Being overtaken one night, not far from Montpelier, by a violent storm, I took refuge in an inn, 
in the first village I found on my road. The death of a lean chicken was the immediate result of 
this unexpected visit. The cook, placing the almost fleshless fowl on the spit immediately tried to 
seize a terrier, which, when introduced into a rotatory drum of quite large dimensions, under the 
mantel-piece, was to perform the office of moving the combinations of weights, springs, and cogged 
wheels now found in the humblest kitchen, but then, in the center of France, a great rarity. The 
terrier absolutely refused to perform the duty assigned him; he would yield neither to blows, 
threats, nor caresses. So much firmness, resolution, and courage attracting my attention, I inquired 
if the poor beast were making his first trial. Poor beast! some one replied, ill-naturedly and 
roughly, he does not deserve your pity, on my faith; for such scenes take place every day. Do you 
know why this fine gentleman refuses to turn the spit? Because he has decided, in his head, 
that he and his comrade must divide the labors of roasting exactly regularly between them. I now 
remember he was the last to turn the spit, and he now concludes this is not his turn to 
work.   
“The words, it is not his turn now, seemed to me to include a world of meaning. At my 
request the stable-boy was sent into the street to fetch the second clog. This one showed the most 
exemplary docility; 
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