| procatalepsis | |
| pro-cat-a-lep'-sis | Gk. "anticipation" |
| procatalipsis, prolepsis | |
| praesumptio, praeoccupatio | |
| anticipation,
the presumptious, the figure of presupposall |
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Refuting anticipated objections. | |
| Examples | ||
| IT is again
objected as a very absurd ridiculous Custom, that a Set of Men should
be suffered, much less employed and hired, to bawl one Day in Seven against
the Lawfulness of those Methods most in use towards the Pursuit of Greatness,
Riches and Pleasure, which are the constant Practice of all Men alive
on the other Six. But this Objection is I think, a little unworthy so
refined an Age as ours. Let us argue this Matter calmly; I appeal to the
Breast of any polite Free Thinker, whether in the Pursuit of gratifying
a predominant Passion, he hath not always felt a wonderful Incitement,
by reflecting it was a Thing forbidden; And therefore we see, in order
to cultivate this Taste, the Wisdom of the Nation hath taken special Care,
that the Ladies should be furnished with Prohibited Silks, and the Men
with Prohibited Wine; And indeed it were to be wisht, that some other
Prohibitions were promoted, in order to improve the Pleasures of the Town,
which for want of such Expedients begin already, as I am told, to flag
and grow languid, giving way daily to cruel Inroads from the Spleen. —Jonathan Swift, "Argument Against Abolishing Christianity" |
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| Related Figures | ||
| See Also | ||
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| Sources: | Quintilian 9.2.16-17 ("praesumptio");Melanch. IR d2v-d3r ("praesumptio" "procatalipsis"); Peacham (1577) S3v; Putt. (1589) 239 ("procatalepsis," "the presumptious," "the figure of presupposall"); Day 1599 95 ("procatalepsis," "praeoccupatio") | |
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