"The mind of man has been by some authors called a tabula rasa, and compared to a sheet of clean paper."
— Author Unknown
Author
Place of Publication
Edinburgh
Publisher
Printed for J. Balfour and Co. W. Gordon, J. Bell, J. Dickson, C. Elliot [and 5 others], 1778-83
Date
1778
Metaphor
"The mind of man has been by some authors called a tabula rasa, and compared to a sheet of clean paper."
Metaphor in Context
The mind of man has been by some authors called a tabula rasa, and compared to a sheet of clean paper. But this principle, however generally received, may perhaps admit of some hesitation; especially if it should be found less salutary in its consequences than could be wished. One should imagine, that the human intellect, by its original constitution, easily admits and retains some impressions, as congenial to its nature, and faithful to their objects; whilst it repels others with aversion or disdain, as subversive of its happiness, and false to the things which they represent. Hence our frame, from its very origin, seems marked by the hand of nature with indubitable signatures of pre-eminence and distinction. Hence man assumes the important characters of a rational being and a moral agent. Hence his desires of happiness and truth are insatiable, and his capacities of enjoying them indefinite.
Categories
Provenance
Searching "tabula rasa" in ECCO
Citation
At least 6 entries in ESTC (1771, 1773, 1775, 1778, 1790, 1797).
Text from the 2nd edition: Encyclopædia Britannica; or, a Dictionary of Arts, Sciences, &c. On a Plan Entirely New: By Which, the Different Sciences and Arts Are Digested Into the Form of Distinct Treatises or Systems, Comprehending the History, Theory, and Practice, of Each, According to the Latest Discoveries and Improvements; and Full Explanations Given of the Various Detached Parts of Knowledge, Whether Relating to Natural and Artificial Objects, or to Matters Ecclesiastical, Civil, Military, Commercial, &c. Together With a Description of All the Countries, Cities, Principal Mountains, Seas, Rivers, &c. Throughout the World; a General History, Ancient and Modern, of the Different Empires, Kingdoms, and States; and an Account of the Lives of the Most Eminent Persons in Every Nation, from the Earliest Ages Down to the Present Times. The Whole Compiled from the Writings of the Best Authors, in Several Languages; the Most Approved Dictionaries, As Well of General Science As of Particular Branches; the Transactions, Journals, and Memoirs, of Learned Societies, Both at Home and Abroad; the MS. Lectures of Eminent Professors on Different Sciences; and a Variety of Original Materials, Furnished by an Extensive Correspondence. The Second Edition; Greatly Improved and Enlarged. Illustrated With Above Two Hundred Copperplates. Vol. I. Indocti Discant, Et Ament Meminisse Periti. (Edinburgh: Printed for J. Balfour and Co. W. Gordon, J. Bell, J. Dickson, C. Elliot, W. Creech, J. Mccliesh, A. Bell, J. Hutton, and C. Macfarquhar, 1778). <Link to ESTC>
See also Encyclopædia Britannica; or, a Dictionary of Arts and Sciences, Compiled Upon a New Plan. ... Illustrated With One Hundred and Sixty Copperplates. By a Society of Gentlemen in Scotland. In Three Volumes. (Edinburgh: Printed for A. Bell and C. Macfarquhar; and sold by Colin Macfarquhar, 1771). <Link to ESTC>
See also Encyclopaedia Britannica; or, a Dictionary of Arts, Sciences, and Miscellaneous Literature on a Plan Entirely New. (Dublin: Printed by James Moore, 1790-98). <Link to ESTC>
Also Encyclopædia Britannica; or, a Dictionary of Arts, Sciences, and Miscellaneous Literature; ... The Third Edition, in Eighteen Volumes, Greatly Improved. Illustrated With Five Hundred and Forty-Two Copperplates. (Edinburgh: Printed for A. Bell and C. Macfarquhar, 1797). [18 vols., vols. 1-12 edited by Colin Macfarquhar; vols. 13-18 by George Geig] <Link to ESTC>
Compare the American edition (many articles revised or rewritten): Encyclopaedia; or, a Dictionary of Arts, Sciences, and Miscellaneous Literature ... Compiled from the Writings of the Best Authors, in Several Languages ... Illustrated With Five Hundred and Forty-Two Copperplates. The first American edition, in eighteen volumes, greatly improved. (Philadelphia: Printed by Thomas Dobson, at the stone house, no 41, South Second Street, 1798). <Link to ESTC>
Text from the 2nd edition: Encyclopædia Britannica; or, a Dictionary of Arts, Sciences, &c. On a Plan Entirely New: By Which, the Different Sciences and Arts Are Digested Into the Form of Distinct Treatises or Systems, Comprehending the History, Theory, and Practice, of Each, According to the Latest Discoveries and Improvements; and Full Explanations Given of the Various Detached Parts of Knowledge, Whether Relating to Natural and Artificial Objects, or to Matters Ecclesiastical, Civil, Military, Commercial, &c. Together With a Description of All the Countries, Cities, Principal Mountains, Seas, Rivers, &c. Throughout the World; a General History, Ancient and Modern, of the Different Empires, Kingdoms, and States; and an Account of the Lives of the Most Eminent Persons in Every Nation, from the Earliest Ages Down to the Present Times. The Whole Compiled from the Writings of the Best Authors, in Several Languages; the Most Approved Dictionaries, As Well of General Science As of Particular Branches; the Transactions, Journals, and Memoirs, of Learned Societies, Both at Home and Abroad; the MS. Lectures of Eminent Professors on Different Sciences; and a Variety of Original Materials, Furnished by an Extensive Correspondence. The Second Edition; Greatly Improved and Enlarged. Illustrated With Above Two Hundred Copperplates. Vol. I. Indocti Discant, Et Ament Meminisse Periti. (Edinburgh: Printed for J. Balfour and Co. W. Gordon, J. Bell, J. Dickson, C. Elliot, W. Creech, J. Mccliesh, A. Bell, J. Hutton, and C. Macfarquhar, 1778). <Link to ESTC>
See also Encyclopædia Britannica; or, a Dictionary of Arts and Sciences, Compiled Upon a New Plan. ... Illustrated With One Hundred and Sixty Copperplates. By a Society of Gentlemen in Scotland. In Three Volumes. (Edinburgh: Printed for A. Bell and C. Macfarquhar; and sold by Colin Macfarquhar, 1771). <Link to ESTC>
See also Encyclopaedia Britannica; or, a Dictionary of Arts, Sciences, and Miscellaneous Literature on a Plan Entirely New. (Dublin: Printed by James Moore, 1790-98). <Link to ESTC>
Also Encyclopædia Britannica; or, a Dictionary of Arts, Sciences, and Miscellaneous Literature; ... The Third Edition, in Eighteen Volumes, Greatly Improved. Illustrated With Five Hundred and Forty-Two Copperplates. (Edinburgh: Printed for A. Bell and C. Macfarquhar, 1797). [18 vols., vols. 1-12 edited by Colin Macfarquhar; vols. 13-18 by George Geig] <Link to ESTC>
Compare the American edition (many articles revised or rewritten): Encyclopaedia; or, a Dictionary of Arts, Sciences, and Miscellaneous Literature ... Compiled from the Writings of the Best Authors, in Several Languages ... Illustrated With Five Hundred and Forty-Two Copperplates. The first American edition, in eighteen volumes, greatly improved. (Philadelphia: Printed by Thomas Dobson, at the stone house, no 41, South Second Street, 1798). <Link to ESTC>
Theme
Blank Slate
Date of Entry
10/13/2006
