"This Proposition, then, say we, is such, that our Understanding no sooner opens its Eye, to take a View of it, but it must assent to it, because of the Self-evident Identification of its Terms; whose Self-Evidence we do therefore make our Rule."

— Sergeant, John (1622-1707)


Place of Publication
London
Publisher
Printed for A. Roper
Date
1698
Metaphor
"This Proposition, then, say we, is such, that our Understanding no sooner opens its Eye, to take a View of it, but it must assent to it, because of the Self-evident Identification of its Terms; whose Self-Evidence we do therefore make our Rule."
Metaphor in Context
28. Again; This Object, which you Clearly and Distinctly see to be True, must be some Mental Proposition; for, nothing can be Formally True, but some Speech that Affirms, or Denies. Now, say we, 'tis most incontestable, that the First Proposition we can make of a Thing, is, to affirm its Metaphysical Verity; or, to say, 'Tis this, (or its self,) and no other: For, the Subject being the Basis of all our Thoughts, we must fix it certainly, Clearly and Distinctly, ere we can, with Certainty, say any thing else of it. This Proposition, then, say we, is such, that our Understanding no sooner opens its Eye, to take a View of it, but it must assent to it, because of the Self-evident Identification of its Terms; whose Self-Evidence we do therefore make our Rule. It remains then, that you shew us some Truth, or Proposition, which is before this, (which we think to be the First,) and which both makes it self thus Visible; and also, by its Selfevident Light, gives Clearness and Intelligibility to all other Truths; and, lastly, which is so Firmly Grounded, that it may be a Solid First Principle, and not an Aery and Phantastick Conceit. You must then, (we say,) produce, and shew us some other Proposition than that you have brought hitherto, which tells us your Clear and Distinct Perception is your Rule; for, this, you see, is already, by many Unanswerable Arguments, thrown out of doors, and shewn Unfit to be a Rule. And, till you do this, you ought not to be offended, if we tell you friendly, and plainly, that you have no Rule of Truth at all.
(pp. 57-8)
Categories
Provenance
Reading
Citation
John Sergeant, Non Ultra, or, A Letter to a Learned Cartesian Settling the Rule of Truth, and First Principles, Upon their Deepest Ground (London: Printed for A. Roper, 1698). <Link to EEBO-TCP>
Date of Entry
04/02/2013

The Mind is a Metaphor is authored by Brad Pasanek, Assistant Professor of English, University of Virginia.