CHAPTER EIGHTH. 



THE INLETS TO THE SOUL. — THE SENSES. 



GENERAL REMARKS. 



672. The Senses.— Dependent on the Mind —These are 

 commonly known under the name of senses. Five are usually 

 reckoned, Seeing, Hearing, Tasting, Feeling, and Smelling; 

 and it is by these alone that we are made acquainted with ex- 

 ternal objects. In other words, sensation may be defined as 

 the consciousness of impressions. The mind, for aught we 

 know, might be able to carry on its functions of thinking, 

 reasoning, and memory, and also be conscious of its ow T n ex- 

 istence, if it were deprived of the senses : but it could not 

 make itself felt on other minds, nor increase in knowledge and 

 discipline without their aid. And although the primary ob- 

 ject of the senses is to promote physical enjoyment, yet their 

 highest and noblest use is to subserve the purposes of the 

 mind. 



673. Senses best Developed in Lower Animals. — In 



man the senses are not so fully developed as in most of the 

 lower, animals. But this deficiency is much more than com- 

 pensated by the superiority of his intellect. 



674. Effect of excessive Use of the S e n s c s .—Excessive 

 indulgence of any of the senses is apt to produce painful in- 

 stead of pleasurable sensations. Thus heat of a moderate 



672. What are the inlets of the soul ? Is mind necessary for the existence of sense? 

 What is the primary use of the senses? What should be their highest us?? 673. In 

 what animals are the senses the most perfectly developed? 674. How does excessive 

 indulgence affect the senses? 



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