/lit/ - Literature

>>21651942
4.6 Perception and Memory

Memory is not adequately explained as an impression upon the mind like a stamp engraving into wax

If memory is to accept imprints of the objects of our vision, it isn’t the objects themselves we see but the vestiges they leave within us, shadows; the things themselves are different

We should base our understanding of memory upon the capacity within the Soul
-Soul deals with both intellectual and sensible perceptions
Of the intellectual memory the Soul has an intuition which establishes certain identity with intellectual memories
Sense-perception memories
-The Soul provides a radiance from itself which gives for the sensible visibility

Children are better at remembering things because their attention is still limited and not multivaried
-Older people have experienced more things, so their memory is busier and can’t focus on one or another intently as commonly
Memory as seal-impressions on wax
-Passive explanation of memory
-Memory is an active activity, since someone has to sometimes focus hard to remember something, so should be thought of as a kind of fitness. We have to train ourselves to remember some things, so they aren’t just impressed seals
-A multiplicity of memories shouldn’t affect someone’s recalling of now trivial thoughts if they were all retained seals

Quick memory and quick wit is like runner and boxer