Abstract

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1809 edition. Excerpt:... prehended under the general appellation of perceptions. 382. The active modifications of the mind are only two; the act of judging, and that of willing or rejecting; which last, when exercised On the proposal of two or more measures, is called election, or preference.,383. All the above-mentioned modifications have been reserred to different capacities or powers; namely, the underjlanding, memory, and will. 384. Under the head of under/landing, are placed, sensations, ideas, notions, discernment of relations, and judgment. SECT If. OF SENSATIONS IN GENERAL. 38 DEGREES- Sensations are the impressions which we receive from the Supreme Being, through, the intervention of the organs of sense; they are also the strongest and most forcible, as they more strongly excite our notice than other perceptions commonly do. On these we may remark, 386. First, that in the perception of sensations, the mind is persectly passive; for they cannot be excited by a mere act of the will, as already said: in vain would 1 seek to obtain the sensation of redness, or of any sound, &c. or of hunger, merely by wishing to do so; but by exercise I may excite, and thus be the occasional cause of the sensation of hunger, and by taking proper means I may obtain other sensations. 387. Secondly, sensations have no object distinct from themselves; that is to say, they arenot representations of any thing; they can onlv be said to be persectly similar to other sensations of the same kind and degree in other minds.* But they are frequently signs of other sensations which may be expected; thus the smell of a rose suggests the presence of a rose; the smell of putrid meat announces also its taste, and even occasions a nausea, which is an internal sensation. 388. Thirdly, sensations.