ADVERTISEMENT.

IN various parts of the following Work, references are made to subsequent speculations, which are not contained in it. These speculations it is my intention to resume at some future period: but when I consider the extent of my subject, and the many accidents which may divert me from the prosecution of it, I cannot venture so far as to announce in the title-page of this volume, any promise of a future publication.

Some additional chapters are still wanting, to complete the analysis of the Intellectual Powers. After finishing this, the course of my inquiries would lead me to treat, in the second place, of Man considered as an Active and Moral being; and, thirdly, of Man considered as the member of a Political Society.

CONTENTS.

Page

INTRODUCTION.-PART I.-Or the Nature and object of the

Philosophy of the Human Mind

PART II.-SECTION I.-Of the Utility of the

Philosophy of the Human Mind

II.-Continuation of the same

Subject

CHAPTER I-Of the Powers of external Perception

SECTION I. Of the Theories which have been formed by Philoso-

phers, to explain the Manner in which the MIND per-

ceives external Objects

II. Of certain natural Prejudices, which seem to have

given rise to the common Theories of Perception

III.—Of Dr. Reid's Speculations on the subject of Percep-

tion

SECTION I.-General Observations on this Faculty of the Mind

II. Of the Objects of our Thoughts, when we employ

general Terms

III.-Remarks on the Opinions of some modern Philoso-

phers on the Subject of the foregoing Section

IV.-Continuation of the same Subject.-Inferences with

respect to the Use of Language as an instrument of

Thought, and the Errors in Reasoning to which it

occasionally gives rise -

-

100

V. Of the Purposes to which the Powers of Abstraction

and Generalization are subservient

VI.—of the Error to which we are liable in Speculation,

and in the Conduct of Affairs, in consequence of a

rash Application of general Principles

103

109

SECTION VII.-Continuation of the same Subject.-Differences in

the intellectual Characters of Individuals, arising

from their different Habits of Abstraction and

Generalization

VIII. Continuation of the same Subject.-Use and Abuse

of general Principles in Politics

CHAPTER V.-Of the Association of Ideas

PART I.-Of the Influence of Association in regulating the succes-

sion of our Thoughts

SECTION I.-General Observations on this Part of our Consti-

tution, and on the Language of Philosophers

with respect to it

II.—Of the Principles of Association among our Ideas

III. Of the Power which the Mind has over the train

of its Thoughts -

113

117

137

138

138

143

-

146

IV.-Illustrations of the Doctrine stated in the prece-

ding Section

1. Of Wit -

2. Of Rhyme

3. Of Poetical Fancy

4. Of Invention in the Arts and Sciences

149

V. Application of the Principles stated in the forego-

ing Sections of this Chapter, to explain the Phe-

nomena of Dreaming

162

PART II. Of the Influence of Association on the Intellectual and

on the Active Powers

-

171

SECTION I. Of the Influence of casual Associations on our specu-

lative Conclusions

II. Of the Influence of the Association of Ideas on our

Judgments in Matters of Taste

III. Of the Influence of Association on our active Prin-

ciples and on our moral Judgments

IV.-General remarks on the Subjects treated in the

foregoing Sections of this Chapter

II. Of the varieties of Memory in different Individuals

III. Of the Improvement of Memory.-Analysis of the

principles on which the Culture of Memory de-

pends

IV. Continuation of the same Subject.-Of the aid which

the Memory derives from Philosophical Arrange-

ment

213

SECTION V.-Continuation of the same Subject.-Effects produced

on the Memory by committing to writing our ac-

quired Knowledge

-

VI.-Continuation of the same Subject.-Of Artificial

Memory

VII. Continuation of the same Subject.-Importance of

making a proper Selection among the Objects of

our Knowledge, in order to derive advantage from

the acquisitions of Memory

VIII. Of the connexion between Memory and Philoso-

phical Genius

218

222

225

229

CHAPTER VII.-Of Imagination

234

SECTION I.-Analysis of Imagination

234

II.--Of Imagination considered in its relation to some of

the Fine Arts

238

III.-Continuation of the same Subject.—Relation of Ima-

246

gination and of Taste to Genius -

IV.—Of the Influence of Imagination on Human Charac-

ter and Happiness

V.-Continuation of the same Subject.-Inconveniences

247

resulting from an ill regulated Imagination - - 251

VI.-Continuation of the same Subject.-Important Uses

to which the Power of Imagination is subservient 257

NOTES AND ILLUSTRATIONS

261