The Works of George Berkeley. Vol. 1 of 4: Philosophical Works, 1705-21Berkeley, George
Philosophy
The Works of George Berkeley. Vol. 1 of 4: Philosophical Works, 1705-21
Berkeley, George
Philosophy -- Early works to 1800
128. [_First_(430),] When, upon perception of an idea, I range it under
this or that sort, it is because it is perceived after the same manner, or
because it has a likeness or conformity with, or affects me in the same
way as the ideas of the sort I rank it under. In short, it must not be
entirely new, but have something in it old and already perceived by me. It
must, I say, have so much, at least, in common with the ideas I have
before known and named, as to make me give it the same name with them.
But, it has been, if I mistake not, clearly made out(431) that a man born
blind would not, at first reception of his sight, think the things he saw
were of the same nature with the objects of touch, or had anything in
common with them; but that they were a new set of ideas, perceived in a
new manner, and entirely different from all he had ever perceived before.
So that he would not call them by the same name, nor repute them to be of
the same sort, with anything he had hitherto known. [And surely the
judgment of such an unprejudiced person is more to be relied on in this
case than the sentiments of the generality of men; who, in this as in
almost everything else, suffer themselves to be guided by custom, and the
erroneous suggestions of prejudice, rather than reason and sedate
reflection(432).]
129. _Secondly_, Light and colours are allowed by all to constitute a sort
or species entirely different from the ideas of touch; nor will any man, I
presume, say they can make themselves perceived by that sense. But there
is no other immediate object of sight besides light and colours(433). It
is therefore a direct consequence, that there is no idea common to both
senses.
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