Simple Ideas from Reflection

Simple Ideas are the Operations of Mind about its other Ideas.

Simple ideas are the mind's activities involving its other ideas.

The mind receiving the ideas mentioned in the foregoing chapters from without, when it turns its view inward upon itself, and observes its own actions about those ideas it has, takes from thence other ideas, which are as capable to be the objects of its contemplation as any of those it received from foreign things.

The mind receives the ideas discussed in the previous chapters from outside itself. When the mind turns inward and observes how it works with those ideas, it gains other ideas from this observation. These new ideas are just as suitable for contemplation as any ideas the mind receives from external things.

The Idea of Perception, and Idea of Willing, we have from Reflection.

We get our ideas of perception and willing from reflecting on our own minds.

The two great and principal actions of the mind, which are most frequently considered, and which are so frequent that every one that pleases may take notice of them in himself, are these two:—

The mind’s two main activities are the ones most often considered. These activities occur so frequently that anyone who wishes can notice them in themselves. The two activities are:

PERCEPTION, or THINKING; and VOLITION, or WILLING.

Perception, or thinking, and volition, or willing.

The power of thinking is called the UNDERSTANDING, and the power of volition is called the WILL; and these two powers or abilities in the mind are denominated faculties.

The ability to think is called the UNDERSTANDING, and the ability to choose is called the WILL. These two powers or abilities of the mind are called faculties.

Of some of the MODES of these simple ideas of reflection, such as are REMEMBRANCE, DISCERNING, REASONING, JUDGING, KNOWLEDGE, FAITH, &c., I shall have occasion to speak hereafter.

Some MODES of these simple ideas of reflection include REMEMBERING, DISTINGUISHING, REASONING, JUDGING, KNOWLEDGE, FAITH, and others. I will discuss these later.