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I do not even know if it is tangible, as in the case of figures formed by vapors which are imper ceptible to the touch. 7 Without extension there can be neither sight, nor touch, nor any other sensation. As to taste, it is clear that it requires touch, and cannot exist without it. Our asser tion is less clear with regard to sound and smell; for, although we cannot separate these sensations from the idea of extension as they always involve this idea in one way or another, we do not know how it would be with a man who was deprived of all the other senses, and retained only those of smelling and hearing. But without speculating on this hypothesis, it is enough to know : I That nothing which is not extended can act upon our organs, unless by means wholly unknown to us, and which would give no idea of what we understand by body. prev next |