26 Sept. 1814

Logic

2

Ch.2. Ontology

Entities classed

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So much for space taken in the aggregate. But take this or that individual portion of space, the properties of it are very different. Conceive it, as in innumerable, instances it really is, enclosed in bodies, immediately it is, and unavoidably, you conceive it to be endowed with many of the properties of bodies. Of limits it is susceptible, as body is; in point of fact it has limits; and, having these limits, it thereby has not only form but quantity. It not only has limits as truly as body has limits, but it has the same limits.

Having limits, it thereby has form, quantity, and even motion: along with the terraqueous globe, - i.e. with the whole matter of it, - all the portions of space enclosed in that matter describe round the sun, and with the sun, their continually repeated and ever varied round.

Substance being a real physical entity perceptions real psychical entities, - matter, form, quantity, and so on, so many fictitious entities, both descriptions being in part applicable to space, neither of them applicable entirely, - space may be regarded and spoken of as a semi-real entity.

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