(40:5) Furthermore, we should
see what notions are common to all men, and what notions are only clear
and distinct to those who are unshackled by prejudice, and we should
detect those which are ill-founded. (6) Again we should discern whence
the notions called secondary derived their origin, and consequently the
axioms on which they are founded, and other points of interest connected
with these questions. (40:7) But I have decided to pass over the subject
here, partly because I have set it aside for another treatise, partly
because I am afraid of wearying the reader by too great prolixity.
(40:8) Nevertheless, in order not to omit anything necessary to be known,
I will briefly set down the causes, whence are derived the terms styled
transcendental, such as Being, Thing, Something. (9) These terms arose
from the fact, that the human body, being limited, is only capable of
distinctly forming a certain number of images (what an image is
I explained in [xvii] note) within itself at the same time; if this
number be exceeded, the images will begin to be confused; if this number
of images, which the body is capable of forming distinctly within itself,
be largely exceeded, all will become entirely confused one with another.
(40:10) This being so, it is evident (from [xvii] Coroll. and [xviii] )
that the human mind can distinctly imagine as many things simultaneously,
as its body can form images simultaneously.
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