Volume 1

An inquiry into the nature and origin of mental derangement. Comprehending a concise system of the physiology and pathology of the human mind and a history of the passions and their effects / by Alexander Crichton ... [etc.].

  • Crichton, Alexander, Sir, 1763-1856.
Date:
1798
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: An inquiry into the nature and origin of mental derangement. Comprehending a concise system of the physiology and pathology of the human mind and a history of the passions and their effects / by Alexander Crichton ... [etc.]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Leeds Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Leeds Library.

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    and future events. The judgments we form as to the probable ilTue of diftant events, has been confidered by many as a diftincl: faculty, called Khz faculty of forefight, or prediction. As the fubjecl is naturally allied to that which we have analyzed, it may be expected that it alfo mould be fubiected to examination. All men pofTefs this faculty in a certain de- gree ; every man foretels that the fun will rife to-morrow, that the night will follow day. An experienced fcaman foretels a change of weather, long before it happens; a wife and unimpaflioned flatefman can forefee the con- vulfions that will happen in ftates which are in apparent tranquillity, vigour, and power. Although the laft mentioned circumftances feem to be the efFedt of a prophetic fpirit, when compared with the firft, yet they both depend on the fame principle. We have feen the fun fet often, and regularly rife fometime afterwards ; when, therefore, we fee the fun fet again, we judge it will again arife; wc have no moral certainty that the event will take