The Bowl of Saki Commentary

The rational faculty is dependent upon something which is not in and of the mind itself. Either it accepts a priori concepts or intuitions or else it produces a posteriori conclusions drawn from external observations. The idea of a priori conclusions—that is to say, conclusions drawn prior to experience—is good when they are founded upon faith, that is to say, the attunement of heart. But even intuition is of no value unless it is put into practice in life.

So far as the mind depending on the senses, not even the scientists do this. Some philosophers have falsely drawn conclusions by this method, but when philosophers' reasoning is examined, it is generally found that they have assumed a priori that conclusions must be a posteriori. In other words, it has been something other than reason which has proclaimed the value and supremacy of reason. This is the fallacy and dilemma of all worldly thinkers.