on memory and reminiscence-第4章
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ZH? Is it not because as AG is to AB; so is O to I? These movements
therefore (sc。 in AB; BE; and in O:I) he has simultaneously。 But if he
wishes to construct to thought ZH; he has in mind BE in like manner as
before (when constructing GD); but now; instead of (the movements of
the ratio) O:I; he has in mind (those of the ratio K:L; for
K:L::ZA:BA。 (See diagram。)
When; therefore; the 'movement' corresponding to the object and that
corresponding to its time concur; then one actually remembers。 If
one supposes (himself to move in these different but concurrent
ways) without really doing so; he supposes himself to remember。
For one may be mistaken; and think that he remembers when he
really does not。 But it is not possible; conversely; that when one
actually remembers he should not suppose himself to remember; but
should remember unconsciously。 For remembering; as we have conceived
it; essentially implies consciousness of itself。 If; however; the
movement corresponding to the objective fact takes place without
that corresponding to the time; or; if the latter takes place
without the former; one does not remember。
The movement answering to the time is of two kinds。 Sometimes in
remembering a fact one has no determinate time…notion of it; no such
notion as that e。g。 he did something or other on the day before
yesterday; while in other cases he has a determinate notion…of the
time。 Still; even though one does not remember with actual
determination of the time; he genuinely remembers; none the less。
Persons are wont to say that they remember (something); but yet do not
know when (it occurred; as happens) whenever they do not know
determinately the exact length of time implied in the 'when'。
It has been already stated that those who have a good memory are not
identical with those who are quick at recollecting。 But the act of
recollecting differs from that of remembering; not only
chronologically; but also in this; that many also of the other animals
(as well as man) have memory; but; of all that we are acquainted with;
none; we venture to say; except man; shares in the faculty of
recollection。 The cause of this is that recollection is; as it were
a mode of inference。 For he who endeavours to recollect infers that he
formerly saw; or heard; or had some such experience; and the process
(by which he succeeds in recollecting) is; as it were; a sort of
investigation。 But to investigate in this way belongs naturally to
those animals alone which are also endowed with the faculty of
deliberation; (which proves what was said above); for deliberation
is a form of inference。
That the affection is corporeal; i。e。 that recollection is a
searching for an 'image' in a corporeal substrate; is proved by the
fact that in some persons; when; despite the most strenuous
application of thought; they have been unable to recollect; it (viz。
the anamnesis = the effort at recollection) excites a feeling of
discomfort; which; even though they abandon the effort at
recollection; persists in them none the less; and especially in
persons of melancholic temperament。 For these are most powerfully
moved by presentations。 The reason why the effort of recollection is
not under the control of their will is that; as those who throw a
stone cannot stop it at their will when thrown; so he who tries to
recollect and 'hunts' (after an idea) sets up a process in a
material part; (that) in which resides the affection。 Those who have
moisture around that part which is the centre of sense…perception
suffer most discomfort of this kind。 For when once the moisture has
been set in motion it is not easily brought to rest; until the idea
which was sought for has again presented itself; and thus the movement
has found a straight course。 For a similar reason bursts of anger or
fits of terror; when once they have excited such motions; are not at
once allayed; even though the angry or terrified persons (by efforts
of will) set up counter motions; but the passions continue to move
them on; in the same direction as at first; in opposition to such
counter motions。 The affection resembles also that in the case of
words; tunes; or sayings; whenever one of them has become inveterate
on the lips。 People give them up and resolve to avoid them; yet
again they find themselves humming the forbidden air; or using the
prohibited word。 Those whose upper parts are abnormally large; as。
is the case with dwarfs; have abnormally weak memory; as compared with
their opposites; because of the great weight which they have resting
upon the organ of perception; and because their mnemonic movements
are; from the very first; not able to keep true to a course; but are
dispersed; and because; in the effort at recollection; these movements
do not easily find a direct onward path。 Infants and very old
persons have bad memories; owing to the amount of movement going on
within them; for the latter are in process of rapid decay; the
former in process of vigorous growth; and we may add that children;
until considerably advanced in years; are dwarf…like in their bodily
structure。 Such then is our theory as regards memory and remembering
their nature; and the particular organ of the soul by which animals
remember; also as regards recollection; its formal definition; and the
manner and causes…of its performance。
…THE END…
。