Berkeley, George
"Three Dialogues Between Hylas And Philonous"
. Have all other animals as good grounds to think the
same of the figure and extension which they see and feel?
. Without doubt, if they have any thought at all.
. Answer me, Hylas. Think you the senses were bestowed
upon all animals for their preservation and well-being in life?
or were they given to men alone for this end?
. I make no question but they have the same use in all
other animals.
. If so, is it not necessary they should be enabled by
them to perceive their own limbs, and those bodies which are
capable of harming them?
. Certainly.
. A mite therefore must be supposed to see his own
foot, and things equal or even less than it, as bodies of some
considerable dimension; though at the same time they appear to
you scarce discernible, or at best as so many visible points?
. I cannot deny it.
. And to creatures less than the mite they will seem
yet larger?
. They will.
. Insomuch that what you can hardly discern will to
another extremely minute animal appear as some huge mountain?
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