Association Quote by Joseph Priestley
“Will is nothing more than a particular case of the general doctrine of association of ideas, and therefore a perfectly mechanical thing.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The History of the Rise, Progress, and Present State of Electricity, 1767
Will is described as a mechanical result of mental association, implying thoughts follow predictable patterns.
In simple terms: Will is a mechanical product of mental association.
Recognize thought patterns as predictable.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- learning
- decision making
- creative writing
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How do emotions alter associative thinking?
- Can we break mechanical thought patterns?
Human thought is not always purely mechanical; emotions intervene.