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
for blindness and dumbness are but effects of some of her particular
actions, but there is no defect in self-moving matter, nor in her
actions in general; and it is absurd to conceive the Generality of
wisdom according to an Irregular effect or defect of a particular
Creature; for the General actions of Nature are both life and knowledg,
which are the architects of all Creatures, and know better how to frame
all kinds and sorts of Creatures then man can conceive; and the several
parts of Matter have a more easie way of communication, then Mans head
hath with his hand, or his hand with pen, ink, and paper, when he is
going to write; which later example will make you understand my opinion
the better, if you do but compare the rational part of Matter to the
head, the sensitive to the hand, the inanimate to pen, ink and paper,
their action to writing, and their framed figures to those figures or
letters which are written; in all which is a mutual agreement without
noise or trouble. But give me leave, _Madam_, to tell you, That
self-moving Matter may sometimes erre and move irregularly, and in some
parts not move so strong, curious, or subtil at sometimes, as in other
parts, for Nature delights in variety; Nevertheless she is more wise
then any Particular Creature or part can conceive, which is the cause
that Man thinks Nature's wise, subtil and lively actions, are as his
own gross actions, conceiving them to be constrained and turbulent, not
free and easie, as well as wise and knowing; Whereas Nature's Creating,
Generating and Producing actions are by an easie connexion of parts to
parts, without Counterbuffs, Joggs and Jolts, producing a particular
figure by degrees, and in order and method, as humane sense and reason
may well perceive: And why may not the sensitive and rational part of
Matter know better how to make a Bee, then a Bee doth how to make Honey
and Wax? or have a better communication betwixt them, then Bees that
fly several ways, meeting and joyning to make their Combes in their
Hives? But pardon, _Madam_, for I think it a Crime to compare the
Creating, Generating and producing Corporeal Life and Wisdom of Nature
unto any particular Creature, although every particular Creature hath
their share, being a part of Nature. Wherefore those, in my opinion, do
grossly err, that bind up the sensitive matter onely to taste, touch,
hearing, seeing, and smelling; as if the sensitive parts of Nature had
not more variety of actions, then to make five senses; for we may well
observe, in every Creature there is difference of sense and reason
according to the several modes of self-motion; For the Sun, Stars,
Earth, Air, Fire, Water, Plants, Animals, Minerals; although they have
all sense and knowledg, yet they have not all sense and knowledg alike,
because sense and knowledg moves not alike in every kind or sort of
Creatures, nay many times very different in one and the same Creature;
but yet this doth not cause a general Ignorance, as to be altogether
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