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
8. Again, the mind having observed that in the particular extensions
perceived by sense there is something common and alike in all, and some
other things peculiar, as this or that figure or magnitude, which
distinguish them one from another, it considers apart, or singles out by
itself, that which is common; making thereof a most abstract idea of
extension; which is neither line, surface, nor solid, nor has any figure
or magnitude, but is an idea entirely prescinded from all these. So
likewise the mind, by leaving out of the particular colours perceived by
sense that which distinguishes them one from another, and retaining that
only which is common to all, makes an idea of colour in abstract; which is
neither red, nor blue, nor white, nor any other determinate colour. And,
in like manner, by considering motion abstractedly, not only from the body
moved, but likewise from the figure it describes, and all particular
directions and velocities, the abstract idea of motion is framed; which
equally corresponds to all particular motions whatsoever that may be
perceived by sense.
9. And as the mind frames to itself abstract ideas of _qualities_ or
_modes_, so does it, by the same precision, or mental separation, attain
abstract ideas of the more compounded _beings_ which include several
coexistent qualities. For example, the mind having observed that Peter,
James, and John resemble each other in certain common agreements of shape
and other qualities, leaves out of the complex or compound idea it has of
Peter, James, and any other particular man, that which is peculiar to
each, retaining only what is common to all, and so makes an abstract idea,
wherein all the particulars equally partake; abstracting entirely from and
cutting off all those circumstances and differences which might determine
it to any particular existence. And after this manner it is said we come
by the abstract idea of _man_, or, if you please, humanity, or human
nature; wherein it is true there is included colour, because there is no
man but has some colour, but then it can be neither white, nor black, nor
any particular colour, because there is no one particular colour wherein
all men partake. So likewise there is included stature, but then it is
neither tall stature, nor low stature, nor yet middle stature, but
something abstracted from all these. And so of the rest. Moreover, there
being a great variety of other creatures that partake in some parts, but
not all, of the complex idea of man, the mind, leaving out those parts
which are peculiar to men, and retaining those only which are common to
all the living creatures, frames the idea of _animal_; which abstracts not
only from all particular men, but also all birds, beasts, fishes, and
insects. The constituent parts of the abstract idea of animal are body,
life, sense, and spontaneous motion. By _body_ is meant body without any
particular shape or figure, there being no one shape or figure common to
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