Ideas on Superphysics

The Origin of Our Ideas

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

All Simple Ideas Initially Come from Simple Impressions as Sensory Perceptions and Feelings

All our perceptions are either impressions or ideas.

Their difference is in how their force strikes the mind.

Principle 1: There are No Innate A Priori Ideas

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

How do simple ideas and impressions exist?

Which of the impressions and ideas are causes and effects?

Impressions of Reflection (Resulting Feelings)

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Impressions are Feelings or Sensory Perceptions, Ideas are Thoughts

We should examine our impressions before we accept our ideas, since:

our simple impressions are prior to their correspondent ideas, and
exceptions to this pattern are very rare.

There are 2 kinds of impressions:

Principle 2: The imagination is free to transpose and change its ideas

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Idea in Memory is Stronger than Idea in Imagination

When any impression enters the mind, it takes the form of an idea in 2 ways:

The Connection of Ideas (Relationality)

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Simple Ideas are Connected by Resemblance, Contiguity, and Cause and Effect in order to Create Complex Ideas

All simple ideas may be:

separated by the imagination, and
united again in what form it pleases.

This separation and unity is guided by universal principles which render it always uniform with itself at all times and places.

Abstract Ideas

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Abstract or General Ideas are Specific Ideas Which are Given a Name

Are abstract or general ideas conceived by the mind in a general or particular way?

George Berkeley was a great philosopher. He has asserted that all general ideas are merely specific ideas annexed to a certain term.

Modes and Substances

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Modes and Substances are Just Simple Ideas Connected Together by the Mind

Some philosophers:

based their reasonings on the distinction of substance and accident, and
imagined we have clear ideas of substance and accident.

Is the idea of substance derived from the impressions of sensation or of reflection?

Relations

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Complex Ideas are Connected by Seven Kinds of Philosophical Relations

The word ‘relation’ is commonly used in 2 different senses*:

A quality which connects 2 ideas

This is the common meaning of ‘relation’ – one idea naturally introduces the other idea.

Abstract Ideas and Generalizations Come From the Mind Connecting Ideas Readily

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Proposition 2: The creation of ideas beyond their nature comes from our collecting all their possible qualities and quantities in such an imperfect manner for the purposes of life.

When we find a resemblance* [Footnote 2] among several objects that often occur to us.

Definition of Shape

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

To define the word ‘shape’, we may:

create in our mind the ideas of circles, squares, triangles of different sizes and proportions, and
not rest on one image or idea.

We form the idea of individuals which we can seldom or never exhaust.