work_id,theme,provenance,created_at,text,reviewed_on,id,comments,metaphor,dictionary,updated_at,context
4155,Animal Spirits,"Reading John Yolton's Thinking Matter (Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 1983), 168.",2005-05-25 00:00:00 UTC,"Phil.
[...] From this we may further conclude, that as the Soul acts not immediately upon Bone, Flesh, Blood &c. nor they upon that, so there must be some exquisitely small Particles, that are the Internuncii between them, by the help of which they manifest themselves to each other.
Misom.
All these latter Conclusions I grant: The Internuncii you speak of, are the Animal Spirits, and that they are the intermediate Officers between the Soul and the grosser parts of the Body no Man denies; but that the Spirits, which compose the Stomachick Ferment, should be of a finer sort than those by whose Musculary Motions and other actions of force are perform'd, is not only a supposition, but in my Opinion a strangely odd one, that has not a shadow of Reason or probability in it.
Phil.
Do you think it a natural consequence from what we know of all manner of flitring, or straining, that some of the Animal Spirits must infinitely differ from others in fineness and subtilty?
(pp. 125-6)",2012-04-10,10699,•At issue in dialogue is whether spirits think or are employed in thinking.,"""From this we may further conclude, that as the Soul acts not immediately upon Bone, Flesh, Blood &c. nor they upon that, so there must be some exquisitely small Particles, that are the Internuncii between them, by the help of which they manifest themselves to each other.""",Inhabitants,2012-04-10 21:10:58 UTC,""
4155,"","Reading John Yolton's Thinking Matter (Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 1983), 169.
",2005-05-25 00:00:00 UTC,"Misom
Then you would have this variously disposing of the Images to be the work of the Spirits, that act under the Soul, as so many Labourers under some great Architect.
Phil.
I would so: And reflecting on what is transacted within us, it seems to me a very diverting Scene to think when we strive to recollect something that does not then occur; how nimbly those volatil Messengers of ours will beat through all the Paths, and hunt every Enclosure of the Organ set aside for thinking, in quest of the Images we want, and when we have forgot a Word or Sentence, which yet we are sure the great Treasury of Images received our Memory has once been charged with, we may almost feel how some of the Spirits flying through all the Mazes and Meanders rommage the whole substance of the Brain; whilst others ferret themselves into the inmost recesses of it with so much eagerness and labour, that the difficulty they meet with some times makes us uneasie, and they often bewilder themselves in their search, till at last they light by chance on the Image that contains what they look'd for, or else dragging it, as it were, by piece-meals from the dark Caverns of oblivion, represent what they can find of it to our Imagination.
(pp. 130-1)",2012-04-10,10700,•At issue in dialogue is whether spirits think or are employed in thinking.,"""Then you would have this variously disposing of the Images to be the work of the Spirits, that act under the Soul, as so many Labourers under some great Architect.""",Inhabitants,2012-04-10 20:56:04 UTC,""
4155,"",Reading,2012-04-10 21:00:41 UTC,"Phil.
I have asserted already, that the Soul consists in thinking, of which matter is incapable, and do not say the Spirits that think, but the Spirits, that are employ'd in the act of thinking: We must consider the Soul as the Skill of an Artificer, whilst the Organs of the Body are her Tools; for as the Body and its most minute Spirits are wholly insignificant, and cannot perform that Operation which we call thinking without the Soul more than the Tools of an Artificer, can do anything without his Skill, so the Soul cannot exert her self without the assistance of the Organick Body more than Artificers Skill can be put in execution without the Tools.
(pp. 128-9)",,19678,"","""We must consider the Soul as the Skill of an Artificer, whilst the Organs of the Body are her Tools; for as the Body and its most minute Spirits are wholly insignificant, and cannot perform that Operation which we call thinking without the Soul more than the Tools of an Artificer, can do anything without his Skill, so the Soul cannot exert her self without the assistance of the Organick Body more than Artificers Skill can be put in execution without the Tools.""","",2012-04-10 21:00:41 UTC,""
4155,"",Reading,2012-04-10 21:11:49 UTC,"Phil.
[...] From this we may further conclude, that as the Soul acts not immediately upon Bone, Flesh, Blood &c. nor they upon that, so there must be some exquisitely small Particles, that are the Internuncii between them, by the help of which they manifest themselves to each other.
Misom.
All these latter Conclusions I grant: The Internuncii you speak of, are the Animal Spirits, and that they are the intermediate Officers between the Soul and the grosser parts of the Body no Man denies; but that the Spirits, which compose the Stomachick Ferment, should be of a finer sort than those by whose Musculary Motions and other actions of force are perform'd, is not only a supposition, but in my Opinion a strangely odd one, that has not a shadow of Reason or probability in it.
Phil.
Do you think it a natural consequence from what we know of all manner of flitring, or straining, that some of the Animal Spirits must infinitely differ from others in fineness and subtilty?
(pp. 125-6)",,19679,"","""The Internuncii you speak of, are the Animal Spirits, and that they are the intermediate Officers between the Soul and the grosser parts of the Body no Man denies.""",Inhabitants,2012-04-10 21:11:49 UTC,""
4136,"",Reading,2013-07-10 16:35:42 UTC,"Learn by the Voices. Observe who speaks aloud in a commanding Tone: Who talks, who questions; or who is talk'd with, and who question'd. For if the Servants take the former part; they are the Masters, and the Government of the House will be found such as naturally may be expected in these Circumstances.
How stands it therefore, in my own Oeconomy, my principal Province and Command? How stand my Fancys? How deal they with me? Or do I take upon me rather to deal with Them? Do I talk, question, arraign? Or am I talk'd with, arraign'd, and contented to hear, without giving a Reply? If I vote with Fancy, resign my Opinion to her Command, and judg of Happiness and Misery as she judges; how am I my-self?
(pp. 323-4; pp. 144-5 in Klein)",,21615,"","""How stands it therefore, in my own Oeconomy, my principal Province and Command? How stand my Fancys? How deal they with me? Or do I take upon me rather to deal with Them? Do I talk, question, arraign? Or am I talk'd with, arraign'd, and contented to hear, without giving a Reply? If I vote with Fancy, resign my Opinion to her Command, and judg of Happiness and Misery as she judges; how am I my-self?""",Court,2013-07-10 16:35:54 UTC,""
4136,"",Reading,2013-07-10 16:37:55 UTC,"A Distemper in my Eye may make me see the strangest kind of Figures: And when Cataracts and other Impuritys are gathering in that Organ; Flys, Insects, and other various Forms, seem playing in the Air before me. But let my Senses err ever so widely; I am not on this account beside my-self: Nor am I out of my own Possession, whilst there is a Person left within; who has Power to dispute the Appearances, and redress the Imagination.
(p. 325; p. 145 in Klein)",,21616,"","""But let my Senses err ever so widely; I am not on this account beside my-self: Nor am I out of my own Possession, whilst there is a Person left within; who has Power to dispute the Appearances, and redress the Imagination.""",Inhabitants,2013-07-10 16:38:12 UTC,""
4136,"",Reading,2013-07-10 16:42:10 UTC,"A Grecian Prince, who had the same Madness as Alexander, and was deeply struck with the Fancy of conquering Worlds, was ingeniously shewn the Method of expostulating with his Lady-Governess; when by a discreet Friend, and at an easy Hour, he was ask'd little by little concerning his Design, and the final Purpose, and promis'd Good which the flattering Dame propos'd to him. The Story is sufficiently noted. All the Artifice employ'd against the Prince was a well-manag'd Interrogatory of what next? Lady-Fancy was not aware of the Design upon her; but let her-self be worm'd out, by degrees. At first, she said the Prince's design was only upon a Tract of Land, which stood out like a Promontory before him, and seem'd to eclipse his Glory. A fair rich Island, which was close by, presented it-self next, and as it were naturally invited Conquest. The opposite Coast came next in view. Then the Continent on each side the larger Sea. And then (what was easiest of all, and wou'd follow of course) the Dominion both of Sea and Land. ""And What next? reply'd the Friend. What shall we do, when we are become thus happy, and have obtain'd our highest Wish? Why then, we'll sit down peaceably, and be good Company over a Bottle. Alas, Sir! What hinders us from doing the same, where we now are? Will our Humour, or our Wine grow better? Shall we be more secure, or at Heart's Ease? What you may possibly lose by these Attempts, is easy to conceive. But which way you will be a Gainer, your own Fancy (you see) cannot so much as suggest."" Fancy in the mean while carry'd her point: For she was absolute over the Monarch; and had been too little talk'd to by her-self, to bear being reprov'd in Company. The Prince grew sullen; turn'd the Discourse; abhor'd the Profanation offer'd to his Sovereign-Empress; deliver'd up his Thoughts to her again with deep Devotion, and fell to conquering with all his Might. The Sound of Victory rung in his Ears. Laurels and Crowns play'd before his Eyes. What was this but Giddiness and Dream? Appearances uncorrected? Worlds dancing? Phantoms playing?
(pp. 325-7; pp 145-6)",,21617,"Also ""Lady-Governess above""","""Lady-Fancy was not aware of the Design upon her; but let her-self be worm'd out, by degrees.""",Inhabitants,2013-07-10 16:42:10 UTC,""
4136,"",Reading,2013-07-10 16:44:58 UTC,"A Grecian Prince, who had the same Madness as Alexander, and was deeply struck with the Fancy of conquering Worlds, was ingeniously shewn the Method of expostulating with his Lady-Governess; when by a discreet Friend, and at an easy Hour, he was ask'd little by little concerning his Design, and the final Purpose, and promis'd Good which the flattering Dame propos'd to him. The Story is sufficiently noted. All the Artifice employ'd against the Prince was a well-manag'd Interrogatory of what next? Lady- Fancy was not aware of the Design upon her; but let her-self be worm'd out, by degrees. At first, she said the Prince's design was only upon a Tract of Land, which stood out like a Promontory before him, and seem'd to eclipse his Glory. A fair rich Island, which was close by, presented it-self next, and as it were naturally invited Conquest. The opposite Coast came next in view. Then the Continent on each side the larger Sea. And then (what was easiest of all, and wou'd follow of course) the Dominion both of Sea and Land. ""And What next? reply'd the Friend. What shall we do, when we are become thus happy, and have obtain'd our highest Wish? Why then, we'll sit down peaceably, and be good Company over a Bottle. Alas, Sir! What hinders us from doing the same, where we now are? Will our Humour, or our Wine grow better? Shall we be more secure, or at Heart's Ease? What you may possibly lose by these Attempts, is easy to conceive. But which way you will be a Gainer, your own Fancy (you see) cannot so much as suggest."" Fancy in the mean while carry'd her point: For she was absolute over the Monarch; and had been too little talk'd to by her-self, to bear being reprov'd in Company. The Prince grew sullen; turn'd the Discourse; abhor'd the Profanation offer'd to his Sovereign-Empress; deliver'd up his Thoughts to her again with deep Devotion, and fell to conquering with all his Might. The Sound of Victory rung in his Ears. Laurels and Crowns play'd before his Eyes. What was this but Giddiness and Dream? Appearances uncorrected? Worlds dancing? Phantoms playing?
(pp. 325-7; pp 145-6)",,21618,"","""Fancy in the mean while carry'd her point: For she was absolute over the Monarch; and had been too little talk'd to by her-self, to bear being reprov'd in Company. The Prince grew sullen; turn'd the Discourse; abhor'd the Profanation offer'd to his Sovereign-Empress; deliver'd up his Thoughts to her again with deep Devotion, and fell to conquering with all his Might.""",Empire and Inhabitants,2013-07-10 16:44:58 UTC,""
4136,"",Reading,2013-07-10 16:47:49 UTC,"'Tis easy to bring the Hero's Case home to our-selves; and see, in the ordinary Circumstances of Life, how Love, Ambition, and the gayer Tribe of Fancys (as well as the gloomy and dark Specters of another sort) prevail over our Mind, 'Tis easy to observe how they work on us, when we refuse to be before-hand with 'em, and bestow repeated Lessons on the encroaching Sorceresses. On this it is, that our offer'd Advice, and Method of Soliloquy depends. And whether this be of any use towards making us either wiser, or happier; I am confident, it must help to make us wittier and politer. It must, beyond any other Science, teach us the Turns of Humour and Passion, the Variety of Manners, the Justness of Characters, and Truth of Things; which when we rightly understand, we may naturally describe. And on this depends chiefly the Skill and Art of a good Writer. So that if to write well be a just pretence to Merit; 'is plain, that Writers, who are apt to set no small Value on their Art, must confess there is something valuable in this self-examining Practice, and Method of inward Colloquy.
(pp. 327-8; p. 146 in Klein)",,21619,"","""'Tis easy to bring the Hero's Case home to our-selves; and see, in the ordinary Circumstances of Life, how Love, Ambition, and the gayer Tribe of Fancys (as well as the gloomy and dark Specters of another sort) prevail over our Mind, 'Tis easy to observe how they work on us, when we refuse to be before-hand with 'em, and bestow repeated Lessons on the encroaching Sorceresses.""",Inhabitants,2013-07-10 16:48:01 UTC,""
4136,"",Reading,2013-07-10 17:10:40 UTC,"This, I suppose therefore, is highly necessary, that a Writer shou'd comprehend. For Things are stubborn, and will not be as we fancy 'em, but as they stand in Nature. Now whether the Writer be Poet, Philosopher, or of whatever kind [illeg.] he is in truth no other than a Copist after Nature. His Stile may be differently suted to the different Times he lives in, or to the different Humour of his Age or Nation: His Manner, his Dress, his Colouring may vary. But if his Drawing be uncorrect, or his Design contrary to Nature; his Piece will be found ridiculous, when it comes thorowly to be examin'd. For Nature will not be mock'd. The Prepossession against her can never be very lasting. Her Decrees and Instincts are powerful. She has a strong Party abroad; and as strong a one within our-selves: And when any Slight is put upon her, she can soon turn the Reproach, and make large Reprisals on the Taste and Judgment of her Antagonists.
(p. 354; p. 158 in Klein)",,21620,"","""For Nature will not be mock'd. The Prepossession against her can never be very lasting. Her Decrees and Instincts are powerful. She has a strong Party abroad; and as strong a one within our-selves.""",Inhabitants,2013-07-10 17:10:53 UTC,""