A System of Intellectual Philosophy - Asa Mahan - Google Books

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CONTENTS.

Classification of the Sciences-Object of Mental Philosophy-

What is to be expected from such Investigations-Mental Phi-

losophy, as a Science, possible-The Method in conformity to

which Psychological Researches should be conducted-The

above the only correct Psychological Method-Utility of this

Science-State of Mind requisite to a successful prosecution of

CLASSIFICATION OF MENTAL PHENOMENA AND POWERS.

Mental Faculties indicated by the phenomena above classified-

Object of Mental Philosophy-Meaning of the words Mental

PHENOMENA OF THE INTELLIGENCE.

Principle of Classification-Contingent and necessary Phenome-

na of Thought defined.

Ideas of Body and Space.

Idea of Body contingent-Idea of Space necessary-Other cha-

racteristics of these two Ideas-Idea of Body relative-Idea of

Space absolute-Idea of Body implies that of Limitation-Idea

of Space implies the absence of Limitation-Idea of Body, a sen-

sible representation-Idea of Space a pure rational conception.

Ideas of Succession, and Time, or Duration.

Idea of Succession contingent-The Idea of Time necessary-

Other Characteristics of these Ideas.

Ideas of the Finite and of the Infinite.

Remarks of Locke-Characteristics of these Ideas-Idea of Fi-

nite contingent and relative; that of the Infinite necessary and

Ideas of Mental Phenomena, and of Personal Identity.

Idea of Mental Phenomena contingent and relative-Idea of Per-

sonal Identity necessary-Necessary ideas distinguished as con-

ditional and unconditional.

Ideas of Phenomena and Substance.

Idea of substance explained-Idea of Phenomena contingent and

relative-that of Substance necessary-Our Ideas of Substance

not obscure, but clear and distinct.

Ideas of Events and Cause.

The idea of Events contingent and relative; that of Cause ne-

cessary-Theory of Dr. Brown and others-Óbservations on Mr.

Dugald Stewart.

Conclusion of the present Analysis...

APPLICATION OF THE PRECEDING ANALYSIS.

Logical and Chronological order of Ideas.

Logical order-Chronological order.

Primary Intellectual Faculties pre-supposed by the preceding Analysis.

These Faculties why called Primary-Also called Intuitive Fa-

culties-Relation of Primitive Intuitive Faculties to each other

-Importance of the Truths above elucidated-Classification of

Intellectual Phenomena given by Kant..

Consciousness Defined-Self-Consciousness conditioned on Rea-

son, but not a function of Reason-Natural, or spontaneous, and

philosophical, or reflective Consciousness-Process of classifi-

cation and Generalization in Reflection, illustrated--Functions

of Consciousness-Necessity of relying implicitly upon the

testimony of Consciousness-Consciousness, a distinct func-

tion or faculty of the Intellect-Theory of Dr. Brown.

To be distinguished from Sensation-Spontaneous and voluntary

determination of Sense-Mental process in Perception--Organs

of Sense, and the knowledge conveyed by each-Error of Dr.

Brown-Objections of Perception-Common and Philosophic

Doubts in respect to the comparative validity of the affirmations

of Sense and Consciousness-The Province of Philosophy--

Comparative validity of the affirmations of Sense and Con-

sciousness-Theory of External Perception-Theory Verified--

Theories of External Perception formed by Philosophers-Rea-

sons for these Theories-Objections to these Theories.

Distinction of Qualities as Primary and Secondary·

SECONDARY FACULTIES.

Understanding-Notions Particular and General

Elements of which Notions are constituted.

Contingent Elements-Necessary Elements-Substance and

Cause the fundamental elements of all Notions-Evolution of

these Laws not Arbitrary-Time and Space.

Errors of Kant.

1. In respect to the relation of Phenomena and Noumena to

Time and Space-2. Relation of the Ideas of Time and Space to

Phenomena―II. Identity and Diversity, Resemblance and Dif-

ference-III. The idea of a Whole, as including its Parts, or

Parts in reference to the Whole.

Kant's Anatomy of Pure Reason.

IV. The Category of Quantity—The Category of Quantity dis-

tinct from that previously considered-V. Of Quality--VI. Of

Relation--VII. Of Modality-VIII. The Idea of Law-Concep-

tions as distinguished from Notions-A Fact often attending

Perception-Mistake of Mr. Stewart-Notions and Conceptions

characterized as complete or incomplete, true or false-Mistake

of Coleridge in respect to the Understanding.

FACULTY OF JUDGMENT.

Abstraction--Abstract Notions, what, and how formed ?--General

Notions, how formed.

Classification.

Forms of Classification-Classification, in what sense arbitrary

-Genera and Species.

Generalization.

Rules in respect to Generalization-The Term General some-

times used in a limited sense.

Theory of the Realists-Theory of the Nominalists—Theory of

the Conceptualists.

Understanding and Judgment distinguished.

Distinction between the Understanding and Judgment verified-

Observations of Kant-Relations of the Understanding and

Term defined-Term Association, why preferred-The Associat-

ing Principle not without Law-Law of Association stated and

defined-Existence of Law, when established-The present Hy-

pothesis, when established as the Law of Association-A priori

Argument-All the Phenomena referred to the commonly re-

ceived Laws, can be explained on this Hypothesis-Phenomena

exist which can be accounted for on this, and no other Hypothe-

sis-Facts connected with particular Diseases-This Hypothe-

sis established and illustrated, by reflecting upon the facts of As-

sociation-Argument summarily stated-Explanatory Remarks

-Reasons why different objects excite similar Feelings in our

Minds-Application of the Principles above illustrated-Ground

of the Mistake of Philosophers in respect to the Laws of Associ-

ation-Action of the associating Principle in different Individu-

als-Influence of Habit-Standards of Taste and Fashion-Vi-

cissitudes in respect to such Standards-Peculiarities of Genius

associated with Judgment, or correct Taste-Influence of Writ-

ers and Speakers of splendid Genius, but incorrect Taste--

Danger of vicious Associations-Unrighteous Prejudices, how

justified-Giving Individuals a bad Name, spreading false Re-

ports, &c.-Influence of the associating Principle in perpetuat-

ing existing mental Characteristics.

MEMORY AND RECOLLECTION.

Terms defined-States of Mind entering into and connected with

these Processes-The above statement verified-Principle on

which Objects are remembered with Ease and Distinctness--

Deep and distinct Impressions, on what conditioned-Diversity

of Powers of Memory, as developed in different Individuals--

Philosophic Memory-Local Memory-Artificial Memory.

Miscellaneous Topics.

A ready and retentive Memory-The vast and diverse Power of
Memory possessed by different Individuals--Improvement of
Memory-Memory of the Aged-Duration of Memory.........116

Definitions of distinguished Philosophers-Objections to the above

Definitions-Another definition proposed-Imagination and

Fancy distinguished-Another Definition of the term Fancy.

Imagination and Fancy Elucidated.

Preliminary Remarks-Elucidation.

Characteristics of the Creations of the Imagination.

1. Elements of Diverse Scenes blended into one Whole-

2. Blending the Diverse-3. Blending Opposites-4. Blending

things in their Nature alike-5. Combining Numbers into Unity,

and dissolving and separating Unity into Number-6. Adding

to, or abstracting some Quality from, an Object-7. Blending

with external objects the Feelings which they excite in us-

8. Abstracting certain Characteristics of Objects, and blending

them into Harmony with some leading Idea-9. Throwing the

fleeting Thoughts, Sentiments, and Feelings, of our past Exist-

ence, into one beautiful Conception.

Remarks on the preceding Analysis.

Remark of Coleridge.

Creations of the Imagination, why not always Fictions.

Sphere of the Imagination not confined to Poetry-Law of Taste

relative to the Action of the Imagination.

Imagination the organ of Ideals.

Idea defined-Ideal defined--Ideals, Particular and General—

Ideals not confined to Ideas of the Beautiful, the Grand, and the

Sublime-Ideals not fixed and changeless, like Ideas-Ideals the

Foundation of Mental Progress-Ideals in the Divine and Hu-

man Intelligence.

Action of the Judgment relative to that of the Imagination.

Taste defined-Productions of the Imagination when not regu-

lated by correct Judgment or good Taste.

Productions in which the action of the Fancy or Imagination is most con-

Combinations of Thought denominated Wit, as distinguished from those

resulting from the proper action of the Imagination or Fancy.

Bombast-Burlesque-Sarcasm.

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