Commonplace Book. Mathematical, Ethical, Physical, And Metaphysical on Superphysics

What is Existence?

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

Letter	Meaning
I	Introduction.
M	Matter
P	Primary and Secondary qualities
E	Existence
T	Time
S	Soul—Spirit
G	God
Mo	Moral Philosophy
N	Natural Philosophy

Are there 2 kinds of visible extension?

The Visible and Invisible

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

N. In physiques I have a vast view of things soluble hereby, but have not leisure.

N. Hyps and such like unaccountable things confirm my doctrine.

Angle not well defined. See Pardies’ Geometry, by Harris, &c. This one ground of trifling.

Can there be an infinite idea?

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

Can there be an infinite idea?

Yes, in one sense. The visual sphere, tho’ ever so small, is infinite, i.e. has no end.

But if by infinite you mean an extension consisting of innumerable points, then I ask yr pardon. Points, tho’ never so many, may be numbered. The multitude of points, or feet, inches, &c., hinders not their numbrableness (i.e. hinders not their being numerable) in the least.

Descartes Versus Locke

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

S. Perception is passive, but this not distinct from idea. Therefore there can be no idea of volition.

Algebraic species or letters are denominations of denominations. Therefore Arithmetic to be treated of before Algebra.

What are Ideas?

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

M. All knowledge onely about ideas. Locke, B. 4. c. 1.

S. It seems improper, & liable to difficulties, to make the word person stand for an idea, or to make ourselves ideas, or thinking things ideas.

John Locke

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

I. Doctrine of abstraction of very evil consequence in all the sciences.

Mem. Barrow’s remark. Entirely owing to language.

Locke greatly out in reckoning the recording our ideas by words amongst the uses and not the abuses of language.

The Freedom of Man

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

M. The supposition that things are distinct from ideas takes away all real truth, & consequently brings in a universal scepticism; since all our knowledge and contemplation is confin’d barely to our own ideas103.

What is Number?

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

S. Thing & idea are much what words of the same extent and meaning. Why, therefore, do I not use the word thing? Ans. Because thing is of greater latitude than idea. Thing comprehends also volitions or actions. Now these are no ideas117.

What is Morality?

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

S. An idea being itself unactive cannot be the resemblance or image of an active thing.

I. Excuse to be made in the Introduction for using the word idea, viz. because it has obtain’d. But a caution must be added.

Phsyics Questions

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

Do the propositions & even axioms of geometry suppose the existence of lines &c. without the mind?

T. Whether motion be the measure of duration? Locke, b. 2. c. 14. s. 19.

Spinoza

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

I. S. Idea is the object of thought. Yt I think on, whatever it be, I call idea. Thought itself, or thinking, is no idea. ‘Tis an act—i.e. volition, i.e. as contradistinguished to effects—the Will.

What is Time?

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

August 28th, 1708. The Adventure of the [Shirt?].

It were to be wished that persons of the greatest birth, honour, & fortune, would take that care of themselves, by education, industry, literature, & a love of virtue, to surpass all other men in knowledge & all other qualifications necessary for great actions, as far as they do in quality & titles; that princes out of them might always chose men fit for all employments and high trusts. Clov. B. 7.