The senses and the intellect.

  • Bain, Alexander, 1818-1903.
Date:
1885
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The senses and the intellect. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by UCL Library Services. The original may be consulted at UCL (University College London)

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    that the celebrated apple fell to the ground before his eyes; a proximity so very close would powerfully aid in bringing on the stroke of identification. THE ELEMENT OF EMOTION. 11. We have already seen under Contiguity that associa- tions grow up between objects and emotional states, whereby the one can recal the other,—the object reviving the emotion, and the emotion the object Anything, for example, that has been strongly associated with a disgust, is apt to recal the feeling at a future time. This link may now be noted as entering into composite associations. In remembering some past object that has been linked in the mind with a certain emotion, the presence of the emotion will contribute to the recal. Although perhaps insuf- ficient of itself this bond will often be found co-operating with others to effect the revival of an old recollection. While luxuriating in a state of agreeable warmth, we are very easily reminded of former situations and circumstances that have had this accompaniment. When the mind is immersed in any of the special emotions, as Terror, Anger, Tenderness, Beauty, objects connected with the emotion are favoured, while all others are repelled. In moods of tenderness objects of affection rise by preference; this link co-operating with any other that may be present makes the restoration of such objects more certain. If the mind is disposed to indulge in the irascible emotion, objects of anger and hatred find an easy opening, while others are repelled even although strongly suggested by other links of association. Something occurs to remind a person of a good deed performed to him by the object of his wrath; but the recollection is refused admittance. When an emotion possesses the mind in anything like fury, nothing that discords with it can find a place though ever so powerfully suggested, while the feeblest link of connexion is sufficient to recal circum- stances in harmony with the dominant state.