An Inquiry Into the Human Mind, on the Principles of Common Sense

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1801 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAP. VII. CONCLUSION. Containing RefleElions upon the opinions of Philosophers on this suhjedl. THERE are two ways in which men may form their notions and opinions con* cerning the mind, and concerning its powers and operations. The sirst is the only way that leads to truth; hut it is narrow and rugged, and few have entered upon it. The second is broad and smooth, and hath been much beaten, not only by the vulgar, but even by philosophers: it is sufficient for common life, and is well adapted to the purposes of the poet and orator: but, in philosophical disquisitions concerning the mind, it leads to error and delusion. We We may call the sirst of these ways, the way of refletlion. When the operations of the mind are exerted, we are conscious of them; and it is in our power to attend to them, and to reflect upon them, until they become familiar objects of thought. This is the only way in which we can form just and accurate notions of those operations. But this attention and reflection is so difficult to man, surrounded on all hands by external objects, which constantly solicit his attention, that it has been very little practised, even by philosophers. In the course of this Inquiry, we have had many occasions to show, how little attention hath been given to the most familiar operations of the fenses. The second, and the most common way, in which men form their opinions concerning the mind and its operations, we may call the way of analogy. There is nothing in the course of nature so singular, but we can sind some resemblance, or at least some analogy, between it and other things with which we are acquainted. The mind naturally delights in hunting after such analogies, and attends to them with pleasure. From them, poetry and wit derive a...