Body Quote by Thomas Hobbes
“The cause of Sense, is the External Body, or Object, which presseth the organ proper to each Sense, either immediately, as in theTaste and Touch; or mediately, as in Seeing, Hearing, and Smelling: which pressure, by the mediation of Nerves, and other strings, and membranes of the body, continued inwards to the Brain, and Heart, causeth there a resistance, or counter- pressure, or endeavor of the heart, to deliver it self: which endeavor because Outward, seemeth to be some matter without.”
About This Quote
Source Book: De Corpore, 1655
The senses arise when external objects press on the body’s organs, transmitting signals through nerves to the brain and heart, creating resistance that we perceive as external matter.
In simple terms: Senses work by external pressure transmitted to the brain.
Key Takeaway
Recognize how perception is mediated by the body.
Themes
philosophy
biology
perception
Mood
analytical
curious
Type
explanatory
scientific
When to use this quote
- medical diagnosis
- design of sensory equipment
- education on perception
- virtual reality interfaces
Key Concepts
mechanics of sensation
mind‑body interaction
Questions to Reflect On
- How does bodily condition affect what we perceive?
- Can technology extend our natural senses?
A Different Perspective
Physical limits of sensory organs can distort perception.
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