An Essay Concerning Humane Understanding, Volume 1: MDCXC, Based on the 2nd Edition, Books 1 and 2Locke, John
Philosophy
An Essay Concerning Humane Understanding, Volume 1: MDCXC, Based on the 2nd Edition, Books 1 and 2
Locke, John
Knowledge, Theory of -- Early works to 1800
others, upon hearing of these names in communication, readily conceive
those ideas in their minds;-as by COHOBATION all the simple ideas of
distilling, and the pouring the liquor distilled from anything back
upon the remaining matter, and distilling it again. Thus we see that
there are great varieties of simple ideas, as of tastes and smells,
which have no names; and of modes many more; which either not having
been generally enough observed, or else not being of any great use to
be taken notice of in the affairs and converse of men, they have not
had names given to them, and so pass not for species. This we shall
have occasion hereafter to consider more at large, when we come to
speak of WORDS.
CHAPTER XIX.
OF THE MODES OF THINKING.
1. Sensation, Remembrance, Contemplation, &c., modes of thinking.
When the mind turns its view inwards upon itself, and contemplates its
own actions, THINKING is the first that occurs. In it the mind observes
a great variety of modifications, and from thence receives distinct
ideas. Thus the perception or thought which actually accompanies, and
is annexed to, any impression on the body, made by an external object,
being distinct from all other modifications of thinking, furnishes the
mind with a distinct idea, which we call SENSATION;—which is, as it
were, the actual entrance of any idea into the understanding by the
senses. The same idea, when it again recurs without the operation of
the like object on the external sensory, is REMEMBRANCE: if it be
sought after by the mind, and with pain and endeavour found, and
brought again in view, it is RECOLLECTION: if it be held there long
under attentive consideration, it is CONTEMPLATION: when ideas float in
our mind without any reflection or regard of the understanding, it is
that which the French call REVERIE; our language has scarce a name for
it: when the ideas that offer themselves (for, as I have observed in
another place, whilst we are awake, there will always be a train of
ideas succeeding one another in our minds) are taken notice of, and, as
it were, registered in the memory, it is ATTENTION: when the mind with
great earnestness, and of choice, fixes its view on any idea, considers
it on all sides, and will not be called off by the ordinary
solicitation of other ideas, it is that we call INTENTION or STUDY:
sleep, without dreaming, is rest from all these: and DREAMING itself is
the having of ideas (whilst the outward senses are stopped, so that
they receive not outward objects with their usual quickness) in the
mind, not suggested by any external objects, or known occasion; nor
under any choice or conduct of the understanding at all: and whether
that which we call ECSTASY be not dreaming with the eyes open, I leave
to be examined.
2. Other modes of thinking.
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