We may say that feelings have two kinds of intensity. One…
“We may say that feelings have two kinds of intensity. One is the intensity of the feeling itself, by which loud sounds are distinguished from faint ones, luminous colors from dark ones, highly chromatic colors from almost neutral tints, etc. The other is the intensity of consciousness that lays hold of the feeling, which makes the ticking of a watch actually heard infinitely more vivid than a cannon shot remembered to have been heard a few minutes ago.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Two kinds of intensity: the raw strength of a sensation and the conscious focus that amplifies its perceived vividness.
In simple terms: Sensations have strength; attention makes them feel stronger.
Key Takeaway
Pay attention to how focus changes perception.
Themes
perception
consciousness
intensity
Mood
analytical
introspective
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
scientific
When to use this quote
- listening to music
- watching art
- mindfulness practice
Key Concepts
psychophysics
attention
subjective experience
Questions to Reflect On
- How does attention alter your experience of stimuli?
- Can you separate sensation strength from mental amplification?
A Different Perspective
Intensity of feeling can be misinterpreted without awareness of focus.