"Nevertheless, if regular imagination requires the elasticity of our organs, it requires it in a less degree than reason; for its objects are neither necessarily dependant on each other, nor closely connected its productions are only detached parts, where the mind has nothing to do but to weave them into one tissue."
— Marat, Jean-Paul (1743-1793)
Author
Work Title
Place of Publication
London
Publisher
Printed for J. Ridley; and T. Payne
Date
1773
Metaphor
"Nevertheless, if regular imagination requires the elasticity of our organs, it requires it in a less degree than reason; for its objects are neither necessarily dependant on each other, nor closely connected its productions are only detached parts, where the mind has nothing to do but to weave them into one tissue."
Metaphor in Context
Nevertheless, if regular imagination requires the elasticity of our organs, it requires it in a less degree than reason; for its objects are neither necessarily dependant on each other, nor closely connected its productions are only detached parts, where the mind has nothing to do but to weave them into one tissue. Finally, because their connection depends not on the combination of a great number of thoughts or ideas which are naturally profound and difficult to be investigated, as those of reason commonly are; a single stroke of the pencil shall frequently serve to connect the parts of which the group is to be composed. And although regular imagination may be a state of constraint like reason, it nevertheless fatigues the soul much less; for imagination has ever the choice of its subjects, and this choice is ever directed towards agreeable objects; whilst reason, ever tied down to follow nature, must needs frequently find an irksomeness from painful researches and dry reflections, and is ever busied in a disgustful employment. Imagination therefore not only requires less attention than reason, but also possesses many pleasing attractives besides.
(pp.232-3)
(pp.232-3)
Categories
Provenance
ECCO-TCP
Citation
3 entries in ESTC (1773, 1775).
A Philosophical Essay on Man: Being an Attempt to Investigate the Principles and Laws of the Reciprocal Influence of the Soul on the Body, 2 vols. (London: Printed for J. Ridley; and T. Payne, 1773) <Link to Vol. II in ECCO_TCP>
A Philosophical Essay on Man: Being an Attempt to Investigate the Principles and Laws of the Reciprocal Influence of the Soul on the Body, 2 vols. (London: Printed for J. Ridley; and T. Payne, 1773) <Link to Vol. II in ECCO_TCP>
Date of Entry
08/18/2013
