Memory Analysis in Leviathan

Memory is the “decaying sense” of imagination. When the image of an object is retained in one’s imagination, that image begins to decay and degrade over time in one’s memory. Memory and imagination are the same thing, only they are known by different names, and multiple memories of many things is known as experience. According to Hobbes, philosophy includes only that knowledge that comes from reason, not knowledge that comes from memory, like experience and prudence.

Memory Quotes in Leviathan

The Leviathan quotes below are all either spoken by Memory or refer to Memory. For each quote, you can also see the other terms and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:

Nature, War, and Civil Society Theme Icon

Yet still the object is one thing, the image or fancy is another. So that Sense in all cases, is nothing els but originall fancy, caused (as I have said) by the pressure, that is, by the motion, of externall things upon our Eyes, Eares, and other organs thereunto ordained.

Related Characters: Thomas Hobbes (speaker), Aristotle

Page Number and Citation: 86

Explanation and Analysis:

Whatsoever we imagine, is Finite. Therefore there is no Idea, or conception of anything we call Infinite. No man can have in his mind in Image of infinite magnitude; nor conceive infinite swiftness, infinite time, or infinite force, or infinite power. When we say any thing is infinite, we signifie onely, that we are not able to conceive the ends, and bounds of the thing named; having no Conception of the thing, but of our own inability. And therefore the Name of God is used, not to make us conceive him; (for he is Incomprehensible; and his greatnesse, and power are unconceivable;) but that we many honour him. Also because whatsoever (as I said before,) we conceive, has been perceived first by sense, either all at once, or by parts; a man can have no thought, representing any thing, not subject to sense.

Related Characters: Thomas Hobbes (speaker), God

Page Number and Citation: 99

Explanation and Analysis:

Memory Term Timeline in Leviathan

The timeline below shows where the term Memory appears in Leviathan. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...imagination (meaning when the sense of an object begins to fade and pass) is called memory. Memory and imagination are the same thing, but they have different names and different considerations.... (full context)

...Species of things,” which is delivered to the senses, to the Fancy, and to the memory, but there is very little understanding to be had in the convoluted theories of the... (full context)

...is not born within each person as is the ability to sense objects and create memory, nor is reason accumulated through experience like prudence. Reason is obtained through the naming of... (full context)

Power, Common-wealths, and Monarchies Theme Icon

...serious and light. When one’s thoughts have a specific purpose and contain much experience and memory, this is known as prudence, and prudence applied to unjust ends is called craft. (full context)

...The first kind is “Knowledge of Fact,” which is absolute and nothing but sense and memory. In the case of knowledge of fact (the kind of knowledge expected in a witness),... (full context)

...fear, hate, love, anger). A “good” judge has patience to listen, interest to hear, and memory to retain facts. (full context)

...does not include knowledge that comes from experience or prudence, as such knowledge comes from memory not reason. A false conclusion is not philosophy, nor is any supernatural revelation. Philosophy is... (full context)

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Memory Term Analysis

Memory Quotes in Leviathan

Memory Term Timeline in Leviathan

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