"But suppose my Mind white Paper, and without being at any pains to extirpate my Opinions, or prove your own, only say what you wou'd write thereon, or what you wou'd teach me in case I were teacheable."
— Berkeley, George (1685-1753)
Author
Work Title
Date
1732
Metaphor
"But suppose my Mind white Paper, and without being at any pains to extirpate my Opinions, or prove your own, only say what you wou'd write thereon, or what you wou'd teach me in case I were teacheable."
Metaphor in Context
ALC.
To unteach Men their Prejudices is a difficult task: And this must first be done, before we can pretend to teach them the Truth. Besides, we have at present no time to prove and argue.
EUPH.
But suppose my Mind white Paper, and without being at any pains to extirpate my Opinions, or prove your own, only say what you wou'd write thereon, or what you wou'd teach me in case I were teacheable. Be for once in earnest, and let me know some one Conclusion of yours before we part; or I shall intreat Crito to violate the Laws of Hospitality towards those who have violated the Laws of Philosophy, by hanging out false Lights to one benighted in Ignorance and Error. I appeal to you (said he turning to Crito) whether these Philosophical Knight-errants shou'd not be confined in this Castle of yours, till they make Reparation. Euphranor has Reason, said Crito, and my Sentence is that you remain here in durance, till you have done something towards satisfying the Engagement I am under, having promised, he shou'd know your Opinions from your selves, which you also agreed to.
(II, pp. 131-132 in Dublin ed.)
To unteach Men their Prejudices is a difficult task: And this must first be done, before we can pretend to teach them the Truth. Besides, we have at present no time to prove and argue.
EUPH.
But suppose my Mind white Paper, and without being at any pains to extirpate my Opinions, or prove your own, only say what you wou'd write thereon, or what you wou'd teach me in case I were teacheable. Be for once in earnest, and let me know some one Conclusion of yours before we part; or I shall intreat Crito to violate the Laws of Hospitality towards those who have violated the Laws of Philosophy, by hanging out false Lights to one benighted in Ignorance and Error. I appeal to you (said he turning to Crito) whether these Philosophical Knight-errants shou'd not be confined in this Castle of yours, till they make Reparation. Euphranor has Reason, said Crito, and my Sentence is that you remain here in durance, till you have done something towards satisfying the Engagement I am under, having promised, he shou'd know your Opinions from your selves, which you also agreed to.
(II, pp. 131-132 in Dublin ed.)
Categories
Provenance
Searching in ECCO-TCP
Citation
At least 9 entries in ESTC (1732, 1752, 1755, 1757, 1767).
Alciphron: or, the Minute Philosopher. In Seven Dialogues. Containing an Apology for the Christian Religion, Against Those Who Are Called Free-Thinkers. (Dublin: Printed for G. Risk, G. Ewing, and W. Smith, 1732). <Link to Vol. I in ECCO-TCP><Vol. II>
See also Alciphron: or the Minute Philosopher (London: J. Tonson, 1732). <Link to Google Books>
Alciphron: or, the Minute Philosopher. In Seven Dialogues. Containing an Apology for the Christian Religion, Against Those Who Are Called Free-Thinkers. (Dublin: Printed for G. Risk, G. Ewing, and W. Smith, 1732). <Link to Vol. I in ECCO-TCP><Vol. II>
See also Alciphron: or the Minute Philosopher (London: J. Tonson, 1732). <Link to Google Books>
Date of Entry
09/01/2014
