Mind and body : the theories of their relation / by Alexander Bain.

  • Alexander Bain
Date:
1900
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Mind and body : the theories of their relation / by Alexander Bain. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    195/218 (page 185)
    Locke's allusions to the subject are characterized by his usual sagacity and sobriety. He cannot see that we are in any way committed to the immaterial nature of mind, inasmuch as Omnipotence might, for anything we know, as easily annex the power of thinking to matter directly, as to an immaterial substance to be itself annexed to matter. These are his words:—“ He who will give himself leave to consider freely, and look into the dark and intricate part of each hypothesis, will scarcely find his reason able to determine him fixedly for or against the soul’s materiality.” About the close of Locke’s career, begins the great materialistic campaign of the last century, which may be said to culminate in Priestley. Before Priestley, the most important names on his side (the materialist) were Toland and Collins ; while Samuel Clarke, a leader of the opposition, attacked more especially the materialism of th@ now forgotten Dodwell. Priestley had to contend with Price, whom he always treated with respect, and with Baxter, an extreme spiritualist, now a shade. Bishop Butler had argued for spiritualism in his “ Analogy,” hut had contributed nothing new to the defence. It will be enough for us to advert to the Priestley stage of the English controversy; but first let us dispose of De la Mettrie and the continental materialists, who belong to the earlier half of the century. De la Mettrie is introduced to us by Carlyle, among