太子爷小说网 > 英语电子书 > an enquiry concerning human understanding >

第2节

an enquiry concerning human understanding-第2节

小说: an enquiry concerning human understanding 字数: 每页4000字

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页,按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页,按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部!
————未阅读完?加入书签已便下次继续阅读!



shall now proceed to consider what can reasonably be pleaded
in their behalf。

     We may begin with observing; that one considerable
advantage; which results from the accurate and abstract
philosophy; is; its subserviency to the easy and humane;
which; without the former; can never attain a sufficient
degree of exactness in its sentiments; precepts; or
reasonings。 All polite letters are nothing but pictures of
human life in various attitudes and situations; and inspire
us with different sentiments; of praise or blame; admiration
or ridicule; according to the qualities of the object; which
they set before us。 An artist must be better qualified to
succeed in this undertaking; who; besides a delicate taste
and a quick apprehension; possesses an accurate knowledge of
the internal fabric; the operations of the understanding;
the workings of the passions; and the various species of
sentiment which discriminate vice and virtue。 How painful
soever this inward search or enquiry may appear; it becomes;
in some measure; requisite to those; who would describe with
success the obvious and outward appearances of life and
manners。 The anatomist presents to the eye the most hideous
and disagreeable objects; but his science is useful to the
painter in delineating even a V/ENUS or an H/ELEN。 While
the latter employs all the richest colours of his art; and
gives his figures the most graceful and engaging airs; he
must still carry his attention to the inward structure of
the human body; the position of the muscles; the fabric of
the bones; and the use and figure of every part or organ。
Accuracy is; in every case; advantageous to beauty; and just
reasoning to delicate sentiment。 In vain would we exalt the
one by depreciating the other。

     Besides; we may observe; in every art or profession;
even those which most concern life or action; that a spirit
of accuracy; however acquired; carries all of them nearer
their perfection; and renders them more subservient to the
interests of society。 And though a philosopher may live
remote from business; the genius of philosophy; if carefully
cultivated by several; must gradually diffuse itself
throughout the whole society; and bestow a similar
correctness on every art and calling。 The politician will
acquire greater foresight and subtility; in the subdividing
and balancing of power; the lawyer more method and finer
principles in his reasonings; and the general more
regularity in his discipline; and more caution in his plans
and operations。 The stability of modern governments above
the ancient; and the accuracy of modern philosophy; have
improved; and probably will still improve; by similar
gradations。

     Were there no advantage to be reaped from these
studies; beyond the gratification of an innocent curiosity;
yet ought not even this to be despised; as being one
accession to those few safe and harmless pleasures; which
are bestowed on the human race。 The sweetest and most
inoffensive path of life leads through the avenues of
science and learning; and whoever can either remove any
obstructions in this way; or open up any new prospect; ought
so far to be esteemed a benefactor to mankind。 And though
these researches may appear painful and fatiguing; it is
with some minds as with some bodies; which being endowed
with vigorous and florid health; require severe exercise;
and reap a pleasure from what; to the generality of mankind;
may seem burdensome and laborious。 Obscurity; indeed; is
painful to the mind as well as to the eye; but to bring
light from obscurity; by whatever labour; must needs be
delightful and rejoicing。

     But this obscurity in the profound and abstract
philosophy; is objected to; not only as painful and
fatiguing; but as the inevitable source of uncertainty and
error。 Here indeed lies the justest and most plausible
objection against a considerable part of metaphysics; that
they are not properly a science; but arise either from the
fruitless efforts of human vanity; which would penetrate
into subjects utterly inaccessible to the understanding; or
from the craft of popular superstitions; which; being unable
to defend themselves on fair ground; raise these intangling
brambles to cover and protect their weakness。 Chased from
the open country; these robbers fly into the forest; and lie
in wait to break in upon every unguarded avenue of the mind;
and overwhelm it with religious fears and prejudices。 The
stoutest antagonist; if he remit his watch a moment; is
oppressed。 And many; through cowardice and folly; open the
gates to the enemies; and willingly receive them with
reverence and submission; as their legal sovereigns。

     But is this a sufficient reason; why philosophers
should desist from such researches; and leave superstition
still in possession of her retreat? Is it not proper to draw
an opposite conclusion; and perceive the necessity of
carrying the war into the most secret recesses of the enemy?
In vain do we hope; that men; from frequent disappointment;
will at last abandon such airy sciences; and discover the
proper province of human reason。 For; besides; that many
persons find too sensible an interest in perpetually
recalling such topics; besides this; I say; the motive of
blind despair can never reasonably have place in the
sciences; since; however unsuccessful former attempts may
have proved; there is still room to hope; that the industry;
good fortune; or improved sagacity of succeeding generations
may reach discoveries unknown to former ages。 Each
adventurous genius will still leap at the arduous prize; and
find himself stimulated; rather than discouraged; by the
failures of his predecessors; while he hopes that the glory
of achieving so hard an adventure is reserved for him alone。
The only method of freeing learning; at once; from these
abstruse questions; is to enquire seriously into the nature
of human understanding; and show; from an exact analysis of
its powers and capacity; that it is by no means fitted for
such remote and abstruse subjects。 We must submit to this
fatigue in order to live at ease ever after: And must
cultivate true metaphysics with some care; in order to
destroy the false and adulterate。 Indolence; which; to some
persons; affords a safeguard against this deceitful
philosophy; is; with others; overbalanced by curiosity; and
despair; which; at some moments; prevails; may give place
afterwards to sanguine hopes and expectations。 Accurate and
just reasoning is the only catholic remedy; fitted for all
persons and all dispositions; and is alone able to subvert
that abstruse philosophy and metaphysical jargon; which
being mixed up with popular superstition; renders it in a
manner impenetrable to careless reasoners; and gives it the
air of science and wisdom。

     Besides this advantage of rejecting; after deliberate
enquiry; the most uncertain and disagreeable part of
learning; there are many positive advantages; which result
from an accurate scrutiny into the powers and faculties of
human nature。 It is remarkable concerning the operations of
the mind; that; though most intimately present to us; yet;
whenever they become the object of reflexion; they seem
involved in obscurity; nor can the eye readily find those
lines and boundaries; which discriminate and distinguish
them。 The objects are too fine to remain long in the same
aspect or situation; and must be apprehended in an instant;
by a superior penetration; derived from nature; and improved
by habit and reflexion。 It becomes; therefore; no
inconsiderable part of science barely to know the different
operations of the mind; to separate them from each other; to
class them under their proper heads; and to correct all that
seeming disorder; in which they lie involved; when made the
object of reflexion and enquiry。 This talk of ordering and
distinguishing; which has no merit; when performed with
regard to external bodies; the objects of our senses; rises
in its value; when directed towards the operations of the
mind; in proportion to the difficulty and labour; which we
meet with in performing it。 And if we can go no farther than
this mental geography; or delineation of the distinct parts
and powers of the mind; it is at least a satisfaction to go
so far; and the more obvious this science may appear (and it
is by no means obvious) the more contemptible still must the
ignorance of it be esteemed; in all pretenders to learning
and philosophy。

     Nor can there remain any suspicion; that this science
is uncertain and chimerical; unless we should entertain such
a scepticism as is entirely subversive of all speculation;
and even action。 It cannot be doubted; that the mind is
endowed with several powers and faculties; that these powers
are distinct from each other; that what is really distinct
to the immediate perception may be distinguished by
reflexion; and consequently; that there is a truth and
falsehood in all propositions on this subject; and a truth
and falsehood; which lie not beyond the compass of human
understanding。 There are many obvious distinctions of this
kind; such as those between the will and understanding; the
imagination and passions; which

返回目录 上一页 下一页 回到顶部 0 0

你可能喜欢的