The Academic Volume 1-9 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1826 Excerpt: ...the memory retains any motive depends upon the number of times it is presented, this is but in other words affirming that the motive, as the mind acts from it, being frequently placed before it, will induce to frequent action, which is nothing more than the statement of the fact. The proof of the second effect of habit is of the same nature as the foregoing. It is allowed that in every exercise of the mind there may be different motives influencing the determination. These at first will impede the rapidity of its decisions. If in this stage of the process, and without further observation, we could show that the next time the same motive presented itself it would not be complicated with these, then we might have reason to expect a greater rapidity in the intellectual operation. Of this, however, we have no evidence previous to observation, but rather the contrary, from the general procedure of nature leading us to anticipate similar results in similar circumstances. That the motive prompting to action will present itself more -individually to the mind, from the influence of the lesser motives being diminished, and consequently occasion a greater rapidity in the operation, is a truth known only from fact. When this is granted, we have no farther need of argument. It includes the conviction, that in every repetition of the same act there will be a greater rapidity and facility in the execution. It may be urged against this view of cause and effect, even by those who are disposed to acquiesce in the conclusions to which it-leads, that it seems to involve in uncertainty all the objects of our knowledge. That since we are ignorant of necessary connections, we can no longer depend upon any uniform or invariable order of nature, but that all events may be subjected...