Grounds of Natural Philosophy: Divided into Thirteen Parts: The Second Edition, much altered from the First, which went under the Name of Philosophical and Physical OpinionsNewcastle, Margaret Cavendish, Duchess of
Philosophy
Grounds of Natural Philosophy: Divided into Thirteen Parts: The Second Edition, much altered from the First, which went under the Name of Philosophical and Physical Opinions
Newcastle, Margaret Cavendish, Duchess of
Physics -- Early works to 1800
The Sensitive Organs are only ignorant of each other, as they are
of Forrein Objects: for, as all the Parts of Forrein Objects, are
not subject to one Sensitive Organ; so all the Sensitive Organs are
not subject to each Sensitive Organ of a Human Creature: yet, in the
perceptive Actions of Forrein Objects, they do so agree, that they make
an united Knowledg: Thus we may be particularly ignorant one way, and
yet have a general Knowledg another way.
CHAP. XII. Of Human Perception, or Defects of a Human Creature.
It is not the great quantity of Brain, that makes a Man wise; nor a
little quantity, that makes a Man foolish: but, the irregular, or
regular Rational Corporeal Motions of the Head, Heart, and the rest
of the Parts, that causes dull Understandings, short Memories, weak
Judgments, violent Passions, extravagant Imaginations, wild Fancies,
and the like. The same must be said of the Sensitive Irregular
Corporeal Motions, which make Weakness, Pain, Sickness, disordered
Appetites, and perturbed Perceptions, and the like: for, Nature
poysing her Actions by Opposites, there must needs be Irregularities,
as well as Regularities; which is the cause that seldom any Creature
is so exact, but there is some Exception. But, when the Sensitive and
Rational Corporeal Motions are regular, and move sympathetically,
then the Body is healthful and strong, the Mind in peace and quiet,
understands well, and is judicious: and, in short, there are perfect
Perceptions, proper Digestions, easie Respirations, regular Passions,
temperate Appetites. But when the Rational Corporeal Motions are
curious in their change of Actions, there are subtile Conceptions,
and elevated Fancies: and when the Sensitive Corporeal Motions move
with curiosity, (as I may say) then there are perfect Senses, exact
Proportions, equal Temperaments; and that, Man calls _Beauty_.
CHAP. XIII. Of Natural FOOLS.
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