A Treatise of Human Nature

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BOOK I PART II


If we carry our enquiry beyond the appear-
ances of objects to the senses, I am afraid, that
most of our conclusions will be full of scep-
ticism and uncertainty. Thus if it be asked,
whether or not the invisible and intangible dis-
tance be always full of body, or of something
that by an improvement of our organs might
become visible or tangible, I must acknowl-
edge, that I find no very decisive arguments on
either side; though I am inclined to the contrary


depends upon the definition of the word,touch. If ob-
jects be said to touch, when there is nothingsensiblein-
terposed betwixt them, these objects touch: it objects be
said to touch, when theirimagesstrike contiguous parts
of the eye, and when the handfeelsboth objects succes-
sively, without any interposed motion, these objects do
not touch. The appearances of objects to our senses are
all consistent; and no difficulties can ever arise, but from
the obscurity of the terms we make use of.

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