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
(M179) _Homo_ is not proved to be _vivens_ by means of any intermediate
idea. I don’t fully agree wth Locke in wt he says concerning sagacity in
finding out intermediate ideas in matter capable of demonstration & the
use thereof; as if that were the onely means of improving and enlarging
demonstrative knowledge.
(M180) There is a difference betwixt power & volition. There may be
volition without power. But there can be no power without volition. Power
implyeth volition, & at the same time a connotation of the effects
following the volition(143).
(M181) We have assuredly an idea of substance. ’Twas absurd of Locke(144)
to think we had a name without a meaning. This might prove acceptable to
the Stillingfleetians.
(M182) The substance of Body we know(145). The substance of Spirit we do
not know—it not being knowable, it being a _purus actus_.
(M183) Words have ruin’d and overrun all the sciences—law, physique,
chymistry, astrology, &c.
(M184) Abstract ideas only to be had amongst the learned. The vulgar never
think they have any such, nor truly do they find any want of them. Genera
& species & abstract ideas are terms unknown to them.
(M185) Locke’s out(146)—the case is different. We can have an idea of body
without motion, but not of soul without thought.
(M186) God ought to be worship’d. This easily demonstrated when once we
ascertain the signification of the words God, worship, ought.
(M187) No perception, according to Locke, is active. Therefore no
perception (i.e. no idea) can be the image of, or like unto, that which is
altogether active & not at all passive, i.e. the Will.
(M188) I can will the calling to mind something that is past, tho’ at the
same time that wch I call to mind was not in my thoughts before that
volition of mine, & consequently I could have had no uneasiness for the
want of it.
(M189) The Will & the Understanding may very well be thought two distinct
beings.
(M190) Sed quia voluntas raro agit nisi ducente desiderio. V. Locke,
Epistles, p. 479, ad Limburgum.
You cannot say the m. t. [minimum tangibile] is like or one with the m. v.
[minimum visibile], because they be both minima, just perceiv’d, and next
door to nothing. You may as well say the m. t. is the same with or like
unto a sound, so small that it is scarce perceiv’d.
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Extension seems to be a mode of some tangible or sensible quality
according as it is seen or felt.
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(M191) The spirit—the active thing—that wch is soul, & God—is the Will
alone. The ideas are effects—impotent things.
(M192) The concrete of the will & understanding I might call mind; not
person, lest offence be given. Mem. Carefully to omit defining of person,
or making much mention of it.
(M193) You ask, do these volitions make _one_ Will? Wt you ask is meerly
about a word—unity being no more(147).
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