---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The cause of Sense, is the External Body…"
description: "\"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 me..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ff0/thomas-hobbes-1127_body_the-cause-of-sense-is-the-external-body_177507.jpg"
---

#  The cause of Sense, is the External Body, or Object, which…

![“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…” quote by Thomas Hobbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ff0/thomas-hobbes-1127_body_the-cause-of-sense-is-the-external-body_177507.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ff0/thomas-hobbes-1127_body_the-cause-of-sense-is-the-external-body_177507.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ff0/thomas-hobbes-1127_body_the-cause-of-sense-is-the-external-body_177507.jpg)

> “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.”

[Thomas Hobbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-hobbes/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

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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[Body](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/body/) [Brain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brain/) [Brain And Heart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brain-and-heart/) [Endeavor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/endeavor/) [Heart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heart/) [Heart and brain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heart-and-brain/) [Human life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-life/) [Mediation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mediation/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) [Nerves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nerves/) [Organs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/organs/) [Pressure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pressure/) [Resistance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/resistance/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/)

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