Six metaphysical meditations · René Descartes
ANSWER.
I have here Explain’d the Difference between _Imagination_, and the Meer _Conception_ of the _Mind_, by reckoning up in my Example of the Wax, what it is therein which we _Imagine_, and what it is that we _conceive_ in our _Mind_ only: but besides this, I have explained in an other Place How we _understand_ one way, and _Imagine_ an other way One and the same Thing, suppose a Pentagone or Five sided Figure. There is in _Ratiocination_ a _Conjunction_ not of _Words_, but of _Things signified_ by _Words_; And I much admire that the _Contrary_ could Possibly enter any Mans Thoughts; For Who ever doubted but that a _Frenchman_ and a _German_ may argue about the _same Things_, tho they use very _Differing Words_? and does not the Philosopher Disprove himself when he speaks of the _Agreements which at pleasure we have made about the significations of Words_? for if he grants that _something_ is _Signified_ by _Words_, Why will he not admit that our Ratiocinations are rather about this _something_, then about _Words_ only? and by the same Right that he concludes the _Mind_ to be a _Motion_, he may Conclude Also that the Earth is Heaven, or What else he Pleases.
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