Take here in brief my meaning: --
It is evident that the things I perceive are my own ideas, and
that no idea can exist unless it be in a mind: nor is it less
plain that these ideas or things by me perceived, either
themselves or their archetypes, exist independently of my mind,
since I know myself not to be their author, it being out of my
power to determine at pleasure what particular ideas I shall be
affected with upon opening my eyes or ears: they must therefore
exist in some other Mind, whose {215} Will it is they should be
exhibited to me. The things, I say, immediately perceived are
ideas or sensations, call them which you will. But how can any
idea or sensation exist in, or be produced by, anything but a
mind or spirit? This indeed is inconceivable. And to assert that
which is inconceivable is to talk nonsense: is it not?
. Without doubt.
. But, on the other hand, it is very conceivable that
they should exist in and be produced by a spirit; since this is
no more than I daily experience in myself, inasmuch as I perceive
numberless ideas; and, by an act of my will, can form a great
variety of them, and raise them up in my imagination: though, it
must be confessed, these creatures of the fancy are not
altogether so distinct, so strong, vivid, and permanent, as those
perceived by my senses -- which latter are called .
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