Philosophical Letters: or, modest Reflections upon some Opinions in Natural PhilosophyNewcastle, Margaret Cavendish, Duchess of
Philosophy
Philosophical Letters: or, modest Reflections upon some Opinions in Natural Philosophy
Newcastle, Margaret Cavendish, Duchess of
Newcastle, William Cavendish, Duke of, 1592-1676; Philosophy
draws them this way, or that way, how can they be voluntary motions,
being in a manner forced and necessitated to move according to Fancy
or Imagination? But when he goes on in the same place and treats of
Endeavour, Appetite, Desire, Hunger, Thirst, Aversion, Love, Hate, and
the like, he derives one from the other, and treats well as a Moral
Philosopher; but whether it be according to the truth or probability of
Natural Philosophy, I will leave to others to judge, for in my opinion
Passions and Appetites are very different, Appetites being made by
the motions of the sensitive Life, and Passions, as also Imagination,
Memory, &c. by the motions of the rational Life, which is the cause
that Appetites belong more to the actions of the Body then the Mind:
'Tis true, the Sensitive and Rational self-moving matter doth so much
resemble each other in their actions, as it is difficult to distinguish
them. But having treated hereof at large in my other Philosophical
Work, to cut off repetitions, I will refer you to that, and desire
you to compare our opinions together: But certainly there is so much
variety in one and the same sort of Passions, and so of Appetites, as
it cannot be easily express'd. To conclude, I do not perceive that your
_Author_ tells or expresses what the cause is of such or such actions,
onely he mentions their dependance, which is, as if a man should
converse with a Nobleman's Friend or Servant, and not know the Lord
himself. But leaving him for this time, it is sufficient to me, that I
know your Ladyship, and your Ladyship knows me, that I am,
Madam,
_Your faithful Friend, and humble Servant._
[1] _Leviathan, part._ 1. _c._ 6.
XIII.
_Madam,_
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