196 DOGMATISM AND EVOLUTION 



Berkeley s theory is further amplified by Hume upon two im 

 portant points; first, with respect to the part played by language 

 in making possible the function of general ideas, and, secondly, 

 with respect to the part played by custom or association in the 

 function of representation. Upon the latter point, Hume remarks 

 that representation implies a certain subdued tendency to revival, 

 such that where the representative idea is used in a connection in 

 which its peculiarities make it no longer typical of the class, the 

 tendency shows itself by the replacement of the unfit representa 

 tive by a more appropriate member of the class. With regard to 

 the part played by language, Hume commits himself to the 

 extreme view, that it is absolutely essential. The association is 

 not so much between the various ideas of the class, as between 

 each idea and the identical term which denotes them all. Making 

 allowance for this exaggeration, we must acknowledge that Hume 

 strengthens the Berkeleyan theory in no small degree. On the 

 other hand, he fails to notice the structural modification of the 

 representative idea to which Berekley calls attention most clear 

 ly, we may observe, in the latest (1734) edition of the Principles, 

 w r hich Hume may easily not have seen while working upon this 

 part of his Treatise. 



Regarding the mutually complementary theories of Berkeley 

 and Hume as substantially one, we find ourselves in fundamental 

 agreement upon the following points : that ideas connected by a 

 relation of resemblance, reinforced by association with a common 

 term, may form a more or less closely unified organization, such 

 that the presence of one of these ideas (or even of the term 

 alone) in consciousness may be accompanied by nascent tend 

 encies to revival of the others; and that it is this complex phe 

 nomenon which is referred to under the name of general ideas 

 or concepts. 



Our leading divergencies from their view may be summarily 

 expressed as follows: 



I. The general concept is not identified with the representative 

 idea, but with the total organization. 



