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"As little would I agree with those Philosophers Constant mentioned, that the Mind resembles a Leaf of white Paper."

— Fordyce, David (bap. 1711, d. 1751)

Author

Fordyce, David (bap. 1711, d. 1751)

Work Title

Dialogues Concerning Education

Place of Publication

London

Publisher

[s.n.]

Date

1745

Metaphor

"As little would I agree with those Philosophers Constant mentioned, that the Mind resembles a Leaf of white Paper."

Metaphor in Context

I Can hardly think, said Philander, that Eugenio meant to carry the Point so far as to assert, that Education and Culture were entirely unnecessary, or pernicious to Youth. I should only believe he designed to expose some of the ordinary Methods of Education, as too narrow and unsuitable to the free expansive Genius of Nature. As little would I agree with those Philosophers Constant mentioned, that the Mind resembles a Leaf of white Paper. I would rather compare it to a Seed, which contains all the Stamina of the future Plant, and all those Principles of Perfection, to which it aspires in its After-growth, and regularly arrives by gradual Stages, unless it is obstructed in its Progress by external Violence. Our Minds, in like manner, are completely organized, if I may say so, at first; they want no Powers, no Capacities of Perception, no Instincts or Affections that are essential to their Nature; but these are, in a manner locked up, and are purposely left rude and unfinished, that Prudence, Industry and Virtue, may have full scope in unfolding, raising them up, and bringing them to Maturity. 'Tis he Business of Education, therefore, like a second Creation, to improve nature, to give Form, and Proportion, and Comeliness to those unwrought Materials. And, in my Opinion, we have as much need of the Hand of Culture to call forth our latent Powers, to direct their Exercise; in fine, to shape and polish us into Men, as the unformed Block has of the Craver or Statuary's Skill, to draw it out of that rude State, into the Form and Proportions of a Venus of Medicis, or an Olympian Jupiter. [...]
(vol I, pp. 116-7)