"Ideas of sense are but the first elements of thought: and the produce raised from these elements by the operation of the mind upon them is as far superiour to the elements themselves in variety, copiousness and use, as books are to the characters of which they are composed."
— Rotheram, John (1725–1789)
Author
Place of Publication
London
Publisher
Printed by T. Saint, for J. Robson
Date
1781
Metaphor
"Ideas of sense are but the first elements of thought: and the produce raised from these elements by the operation of the mind upon them is as far superiour to the elements themselves in variety, copiousness and use, as books are to the characters of which they are composed."
Metaphor in Context
Perception is the first and lowest operation of the mind. If then the action of matter upon matter cannot account for the formation and perception of the ideas of sense, how will it account for all the higher operations of the mind? ideas of sense are but the first elements of thought: and the produce raised from these elements by the operation of the mind upon them is as far superiour to the elements themselves in variety, copiousness and use, as books are to the characters of which they are composed. How shall he who is ignorant of the use of letters, write an history, or a poem? If matter acting upon matter cannot account for the production of the elementary ideas, how can it account for all that is accomplished by the action of the mind upon them?
(p. 39)
(p. 39)
Categories
Provenance
Reading (in the British Library)
Citation
An Essay on the Distinction Between the Soul and Body of Man. By John Rotheram, M. A. Rector of Houghton-Le-Spring, Vicar of Seaham, and Chaplain to the Right Reverend John Lord Bishop of Durham. (Newcastle upon Tyne: Printed by T. Saint, for J. Robson, New Bond-Street, London, 1781). <Link to ESTC>
Date of Entry
06/22/2014
