On Man

An analogy prevails betwixt the animal and vegetable world Matter forms the substratum or point of union in which the constituent parts and properties of animals as well as vegetables inhere

Animated beings are endued with one or more of the five

The brute creation not gifted with intellectual and moral faculties

On the sense of hearing

On the hands and fingers

CHAP. II.

On the touch and muscular compression

The human countenance, formed to express the feelings of the heart, and the upright position of the body, unite in indicating the superiority of rational to instinctive beings

CHAP. III.

On the mind, the existence of which may not only be in-
ferred from overt acts discernible by the senses, but,
further, from the purer acts of its own instrumentality
on abstract subjects
As the subject of any truth to be proved varies in its na-
ture, so do the tests or proofs by which it is ascertained
or demonstrated

Many truths can be known only by testimony

Necessary truth admits of demonstration, as in geometry and arithmetic

The existence of God and the invisible world is proved by

observation and induction, and also made known, with other facts of the first importance, by revelation

The existence of the mind may be inferred from its overt acts and visible operations

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On perception

It is not perception, but reason in the one, and instinct in the other, which distinguishes the human from the brute creation

Our rational faculties may be cultivated and enlarged, but
instinct admits but of little improvement
Our perceptive powers may be employed in gaining a
clearer knowledge of what is visible and tangible in the
productions both of art and nature

Complex modes, and abstract qualities, are better known
by the attentive exercise of reason

A rational soul, susceptible of spiritual feelings, is different from, and of a more exalted nature than, what may be called the sensitive soul of a brute guided by instinct The motives productive of action which are connected with instinct are different from those associated with

reason

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On Memory

CHAP. IV.

We express abstract ideas by terms borrowed from visible and sensible objects

On belief in truth and assent to testimony

Belief and assent, generally speaking, are involuntary, being principles instilled into us

The mind is susceptible of a great variety of states and changes

Observations respecting the improvement of the memory
Close attention to facts and objects impresses them on the

memory

A habit of attention may be acquired by mathematical studies; but, more generally, by the desire of becoming better acquainted with the object of our pursuit Whether desire can precede attention in all cases, and how it may be excited

Desire and attention reciprocally strengthen each other The memory of any thing is strengthened by often recurring to it

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On the judgment, as a quality of the mind
On moral approbation and disapprobation

Our sympathetic feelings are productive of more good
when associated with reason, than if limited to instinct
Objects which may be regarded as without us, are respect-
ively adapted to afford means of perception to the organs
of the body, and exercise to the intellectual powers
The laws appointed to regulate the mind and body are
essentially different

On moral laws

On motives, and their difference, as they respectively relate to mind or body

Vague and loose notions have occasionally prevailed respecting motives

The motives which affect the mind and moral conduct are
a sense of duty, and what is best for us on the whole
On the sense of duty

On the regard due to the consideration of what is best for
us on the whole

A regard to self-interest has been by some supposed to be the sole principle of action

CHAP. VI.

On the opposition which prevails betwixt rational and animal motives

The heathens were not ignorant of this opposition betwixt reason and the passions, and an impartial regard to our own feelings will experimentally convince us of its reality

101

102

For what end, and with what intention, are we so constituted as to be made subject to this opposition? This opposition is not casual and fortuitous By the opposition of motives in our frame, excited by objects respectively adapted to the mind and body, a field is opened and a scope afforded for the exercise of choice 104 Choice could not be elicited without opposing motives

An analogical illustration of the important effects arising
from the opposition of motives in the moral, is deducible
from the grand results which proceed from the opposi-
tion of powers in the natural, world
Analogies betwixt natural and moral phenomena prevail
in many points, without being exact similitudes in all
We are not capable of forming a judgment, and appre-
ciating in many cases the fitness of the means employed
for the production of the end effected
Consequences of the greatest importance proceed from

choice

109

112

113

115

118

To whatever sin may be ascribed, whether to the abuse of choice or any other gift, it is still odious, and productive of misery and ruin, being disobedience to the will of God, and opposition to his commands and dispensations 116 In what light certain desires which act as subsidiary motives ought to be regarded, and how classed The desire of knowledge admits of abuse, and is not, strictly speaking, a pure rational motive Whether the study of literature and science tend to ameliorate the heart and affections Good natural abilities and acquired knowledge may be united with vicious inclinations in a carnalised mind A desire of knowledge, under the influence of pure spiritual motives, strengthens and improves them