"For if Irritability subsists in parts separate from the body, and not subject to the command of the soul, if it resides every where in the muscular fibres, and is independent of the nerves, which are the satellites of the soul, it is evident, that it has nothing in common with the soul, and it is absolutely different from it; in a word, that neither Irritability depends upon the soul, nor is the soul what we call Irritability in the body."
— Von Haller, Albrecht (1708-1777)
Place of Publication
London
Publisher
J. Nourse
Date
1755
Metaphor
"For if Irritability subsists in parts separate from the body, and not subject to the command of the soul, if it resides every where in the muscular fibres, and is independent of the nerves, which are the satellites of the soul, it is evident, that it has nothing in common with the soul, and it is absolutely different from it; in a word, that neither Irritability depends upon the soul, nor is the soul what we call Irritability in the body."
Metaphor in Context
Two of my pupils, Drs. ZIMMERMAN and OEDER, have hit upon the proper method of arriving at the knowledge of this property, both these gentlemen endeavouring by experiments to explain this quality of a fibre, as a law of nature resembling attraction, without entering into useless researches in theory. CASTEL has likewise confirmed the experiments upon sensibility. The deceased M. DE LA METTRIE has made Irritability the basis of the system which he advanced against the spirituality of the soul; and after saying that STAHL and BOERHAAVE knew nothing of it, he has the modesty to assume the invention to himself, without ever having made the least experiment about it. But I am certainly informed, that he learnt all he knew about it of a young Swiss with whom I am acquainted: who never was my pupil, nor is he a physician, but he had read my works, and seen some of the famous ALBINUS's experiments, and upon these LA METTRIE founded his impious system, which my experiments totally refute. For if Irritability subsists in parts separate [end page 45] from the body, and not subject to the command of the soul, if it resides every where in the muscular fibres, and is independent of the nerves, which are the satellites of the soul, it is evident, that it has nothing in common with the soul, and it is absolutely different from it; in a word, that neither Irritability depends upon the soul, nor is the soul what we call Irritability in the body.
(pp. 45-6)
(pp. 45-6)
Categories
Provenance
Reading
Citation
Von Haller, Albrecht. A Dissertation on the Sensible and Irritable Parts of Animals. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins Press, 1936. Reprint of 1755 edition.
Date of Entry
07/20/2009
