Elements of the philosophy of the human mind. By Dugald Stewart. Rev. and abridged, with critical and explanatory notes, for the use of colleges and schools. By Francis Bowen ...

INTRODUCTION. 3
Our notions both of Matter and Mind are merely relative.The notion we annex to the words, matter and mind, as is well
remarked by Dr. Reid, (in his Essays on the Active Powers of
Man,) are merely relative. If I am asked, what I mean by
matter? I can only explain myself by saying, it is that which
is extended, figured, colored, movable, hard or soft, rough or
smooth, hot or cold; —that is, I can define it in no other way
than by enumerating its sensible qualities. It is not matter, or
body, which I perceive by my senses; but only extension, figure,
aolor, and certain other qualities, which the constitution of my nature leads me to refer to SOMETHING, which is extended, fiyured,
and colored. The case is precisely similar with respect to mrind
We are not immediately conscious of its existence, but we are
conscious of sensation, thought, and volition; operations, which
imply the existence of SOMETHING which feels, thinks, and wills.
Every main, too, is impressed with an irresistible conviction,
that all these sensations, thoughts, and volitions, belong to one
and the same being; to that being, which he calls himself; a
being, which he is led, by the constitution of his nature, to consider as something distinct from his body, and as not liable to be
impaired by the loss or mutilation of any of its organs.
Proof of the separate existence of l3ind. From these con.
siderations, it appears, that we have the same evidence for the existence of mind, that we have for the existence of body; nay, it
there be any difference between the two cases, that we have
stronger evidence for it; inasmuch as the one is suggested to us
by the subjects of our own consciousness,* and the other merely
* [ Consciousness is usually defined to be the notice which the mind takes oJ
its own operations. If I think or remember, I know, or am conscious, that I
think or remember; if I am pained or pleased, I know that I am so pained
or pleased. Thus, Consciousness is the witness or reporter of all mental
phenomena, just as the senses witness and report the phenomena of the
external universe. Consciousness reports the present phenomena of mind,
as memory reports its past phenomena.
By most writers, Consciousness is spoken of as if it were a separate
faculty of mind, whose special office it is to take cognizance of whatever
is passing within us. But Dr. Thomas Brown, Mr. James Mill, Sir W