Part Six

Conclusion

CHAPTER 3

Learning to understand what has been said about
the origin of ideas

 

1038. However, it is not easy to grasp the theory I have developed about the origin of ideas. Reading about the theory is certainly insufficient; careful observation of one's own human nature is also required. Without such observation, it is possible to be misled about one's understanding of the book and to form a very mistaken view of what has been said.
But there is one helpful and fairly easy way to comprehend the argument. If four points are thoroughly examined and understood, the rest will follow. And although these four points are certainly not the most difficult and mysterious elements of human nature, they offer a path opening on to belief in the most wonderful truths. In a word, if we are prepared to accept as fact what has fallen under our own certain observation, even though it remains inexplicable and mysterious, we shall be able to penetrate ever deeper into the secrets of the intelligent spirit, secrets about which we shall be unable to doubt any longer.

1039. The four points we have to make are four distinctions which will serve as a sign differentiating those who have understood the theory from others who have read but not grasped it. They are:

 

I. the distinction between sensation and sense perception (cf. 740-748);

II. the distinction between the idea of something and judgment about the thing's subsistence (cf. 402-409);

III. the distinction between sense perception and intellective perception (cf. 961 ss.);

IV. the distinction between an act of the spirit, and advertence to that act, for example, between feeling and adverting to feeling (cf. 548 ss.).

If these distinctions are noted carefully as facts concerning the human spirit, and their application becomes easy through constant use, the theory I have outlined will be faithfully understood and the effort made to write this book with all clarity will be rewarded not by infusing truth, which is impossible, but by helping others on the way to truth.

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