If intellection and knowledge were mere passion from without, or the bare reception of extraneous and adventitious forms, then no reason could be given at all why a mirror or looking-glass should not understand; whereas it cannot so much as sensibly perceive those images which it receives and reflects to us.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- If knowledge were passive, even a mirror would understand, but it does not show understanding requires active mind.
- In plain terms
- Passive reception does not equal understanding; active mind is needed.
- What can you take from it?
- True understanding requires active mental engagement.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Can passive learning ever be understanding?
- What makes a mind active?
Another view
Some knowledge is intuitive and not purely analytical.
More from Ralph Cudworth
Truth is the most unbending and uncompliable, the most necessary, firm, immutable, and adamantine thing in the world.
Permalink to quote #3 Knowledge is not a passion from without the mind, but an active exertion of the inward strength, vigour and power of the mind, displaying itself from within.
Permalink to quote #2 The true knowledge or science which exists nowhere but in the mind itself, has no other entity at all besides intelligibility; and therefore whatsoever is clea…
Permalink to quote #1
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