Beattie, James (1735-1803)

Of Memory and Imagination [from Dissertations Moral and Critical]

London

Printed for W. Strahan; and T. Cadell ... and W. Creech

1783

"Does the human soul go up to the pia mater, as a housewife does to her garret, only at certain times? Or, if she makes it her place of abode, are there any corners of it which she is unacquainted with, or neglects to look into?'

Moreover; supposing impressions to be made on the brain, I would ask, how the mind perceives them, and why at one time more than at another? Does the human soul go up to the pia mater, as a housewife does to her garret, only at certain times? Or, if she makes it her place of abode, are there any corners of it which she is unacquainted with, or neglects to look into? Nay, admitting this supposition we should be apt to conclude, from the facts already specified, that some of these impressions do occasionally force themselves into notice, when the soul is differently employed; and that she often looks for others, without being able to find them, as if they were lost or mislaid.--To all which we may add, that the theory in question ought not to find a place in philosophy, because incapable of proof from experience; it being impossible, with bodily eyes, to discover, in what way the human brain may be affected by thinking and perceiving.--And therefore, without employing more time in vain inquiries after the cause of remembrance, [end page 12] let us be satisfied, if, from what we certainly know of this faculty, we can propose any rules for its improvement.
(II.i, p. 11-12)

Architecture::Garret Population::Housewife

Reading

At least 2 entries in ESTC (1783).

Beattie, James. Dissertations Moral and Critical (London: Printed for Strahan, Cadell, and Creech, 1783). Facsimile-Reprint: Friedrich Frommann Verlag, Stuttgart-Bad Cannstatt, 1970. <Link to Google Books>

07/25/2005