(9) The same conclusion is evident from the manner in which
we proved (II:[xii] ).
(2:10) Nevertheless, though such is the case, and though there be no
further room for doubt, I can scarcely believe, until the fact is
proved by experience, that men can be induced to consider the question
calmly and fairly, so firmly are they convinced that it is merely at
the bidding of the mind, that the body is set in motion or at rest,
or performs a variety of actions depending solely on the mind's will
or the exercise of thought. (2:11) However, no one has hitherto laid
down the limits to the powers of the body, that is, no one has as yet
been taught by experience what the body can accomplish solely by the
laws of nature, in so far as she is regarded as extension. (12) No one
hitherto has gained such an accurate knowledge of the bodily mechanism,
that he can explain all its functions; nor need I call attention to the
fact that many actions are observed in the lower animals, which far
transcend human sagacity, and that somnambulists do many things in their
sleep, which they would not venture to do when awake: these instances
are enough to show, that the body can by the sole laws of its nature do
many things which the mind wonders at.
(2:13) Again, no one knows how or by what means the mind moves the body,
nor how many various degrees of motion it can impart to the body, nor
how quickly it can move it.
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