A Treatise of Human Nature

(Jeff_L) #1

BOOK I PART II


idea of a right line, to which this line does not
agree. Do you therefore mean that it takes not
the points in the same order and by the same
rule, as is peculiar and essential to a right line?
If so, I must inform you, that besides that in
judging after this manner you allow, that exten-
sion is composed of indivisible points (which,
perhaps, is more than you intend) besides this,
I say, I must inform you, that neither is this
the standard from which we form the idea of
a right line; nor, if it were, is there any such
firmness in our senses or imagination, as to de-
termine when such an order is violated or pre-
served. The original standard of a right line
is in reality nothing but a certain general ap-
pearance; and it is evident right lines may be
made to concur with each other, and yet corre-
spond to this standard, though corrected by all
the means either practicable or imaginable.

Free download pdf