Immagini della pagina
PDF
ePub

similarity must be quite apparent, for it must be evident to the least reflective mind that each Judgment has originated from its primitive root, Category; thus:

[blocks in formation]

Now the secret is out, why the identically same objects are considered under two very distinct points of view: "Logically" as objects of nature, per se, or as totally independent and absolutely distinct from ourselves; "Transcendentally" as objects, phenomena, wholly and entirely constructed by the human mind

from given matter, Sensation, produced by a CAUSE, noumenon, distinct from the mind. Our rose, for instance, "Transcendentally" considered, is not a thing in itself, per se, but merely an INTUITION, a phenomenon, in fact, a mere appearance, composed of matter given to the mind, Sensation, and comprehended under the twelve "CATEGORIES;" thus constituting it an intelligible object, and being both in TIME and SPACE a decided object of nature, under the name- INTUITION— or mental representation. This identically self-same rose, "Logically" considered, is a distinct object of nature, per se, wholly independent of ourselves, and having the self-same existence whether perceived or not. In this assumption lies the logical illusion. To assert that the rose, which is merely a cluster of Sensations, can exist in its present appearance out of a mind, is to affirm that Sensations can exist out of the Sentient totally absurd, and sheer nonsense! What! a Sensation where sensations cannot exist! than madness! Now, indeed, we have detected the false tricks which Logic has practised on ignorant man -making him fancy that his own notions are objects distinct from his own mind—a more palpable absurdity than converting inanimate matter into thinking mind.

worse

Science, however, has at length set this matter at rest. We willingly grant to Logic the privilege of employing its own phraseology in its own way, provided it permits a more profound "Science" to translate this language so as to prevent all misconception. The astronomer is not annoyed by the unscientific language of every almanac, which states that the sun rises at such an hour and sets at such an hour, though this luminary is all the while stationary; the illusion being produced merely by our diurnal motion. The Logician, that is to say, the fireside philosopher, who never penetrates below the surface, will find his end fully answered in this loose phraseology, as it is the ordinary language of the world; and, indeed, it is very convenient, provided he does not impugn the more Scientific terminology of the Transcendentalist, who merely, with the privilege allowed to the astronomer and the chemist, translates these vulgarisms into the terms of his own vocabulary. Though common salt is dignified with the high epithet of muriate of soda, yet no confusion ensues. So, with our stone wall, it hits just as hard when called INTUITION, and

"that which we call a rose

By any other name would smell as sweet."

Thus we have two distinct languages-the language of Science and the language of the world-and yet all this without causing the least confusion. It would, indeed, be a pity to disturb the quiet possession of this harmless treasure, merely to produce a lengthened phrase, but no real benefit: as, for instance, to say, "I shall depart at sunrise and return at sunset." So, indeed, it would be equally inconvenient, in asking for the book that lies on yonder slab, to use such distressing technics as-"Pray give me that INTUITION, comprehended under the CONCEPTION, which constitutes it Knowledge, commonly called a volume of Shakspeare; or to request that lady to pass the muriate of soda.”—The nature of the two Sciences will have two distinct languages: let nature then have her way disturb nothing, but know all and let each revel in the delight of his own fancied happiness.

[ocr errors]

The "Philosophy of Mind," as a pure and strict Science, will have its own peculiar dialect; and, being of a Constitutive nature; it must wholly construct our rose from matter given to the mind. The first impressions from an external CAUSE― noumenon received by SENSE in its two mental receivers, TIME and SPACE, which impart the laws of Succession and

are

wax.

Extension to the Sensation. Here end the effects of the PASSIVE part of the mind-giving the form to the matter, as the mould communicates its shape to the UNDERSTANDING then commences its ACTIVE operations, by arranging this matter under the twelve CATEGORIES. The cluster of sensations which compose our rose is perfectly destitute of meaning prior to this subsumption, which takes place in the following order.

First, the rose is a unity, being one object; having many leaves, or parts, it is a multitude: these, being circumscribed by an outline, constitute it a totality. Here ends the operation of the first TRIAD.-The rose certainly addresses our senses while present, and must be considered as a reality. This is only possible by its being surrounded by negation. For, if we could not affirm that which is rose and deny that which is no rose, it could not be a knowable object: this very circumstance produces limitation. This concludes the operations of the second TRIAD.—But the rose, while we are looking at it, lasts in time and is permanent in space; thus it is a substance, having accidents, that is, peculiar properties, which distinguish it from other objects. It was not always a rose, for I saw it a bud; then it hast blown on the tree, and is the effect of a cause. But

« IndietroContinua »