CHAPTER VI. 387 As we arrive at the còmplete knowledge of an idea in all its parts, by that act of the mind which is called division, so we come to a comprehensive conception of a thing in its several pro- perties and relations, by that act of the mind which is called abstraction ,' that is, we consider each single relation or proper- ty of the subject alone, and thus we do as it were withdraw and separate it in our minds both from the subject itself, as well as from other properties and relations, in order to make a fuller ob- servation of it. This act of abstraction is said to be twofold, either precisive or negative. Precisive abstraction is, when we consider those things apart which cannot really exist apart ; as when we consider a mode, without considering its substance and subject, or one essential anode without another. Negative abstraction is, when we con- sider one thing separate from another, which may also exist without it; and when we conceive of a subject without conceiving of its accidental modes or relations ; or when we conceive of one accident without thinking of another. If I think of reading or writing without the express idea of Some man, this is precisive abstraction ; or if I think of the attraction of iron, without the express idea of some particular magnetic body. But when I Slink of a needle without an idea of its sharpness, this is negative abstraction :, and it is the same when I think of its sharpness with- out considering its length. SECT. X. -Of the extensive Conception of Things, and of Distribution. AS the completeness of an idea refers to the several parts that compose it, and the comprehension of an idea includes its 'various properties, so the extension of an idea denotes the va- rious sorts or kinds of beings to which the same idea belongs : and if we would be fully acquainted with a subject, we must observe, This fourth rule to direct our conceptions, namely, Con- ceive of things in ill' their extension; that is, we must search out the various species, or special natures which are contained under it, as a genus or general nature. If we would know the nature of an animal perfectly, we must take cognizance of beasts, birds, fishes, and insects, as well as men, all which are, contained under the general nature and name of animal. As an integral whole is distinguished into its several parts by division ; so the word distribution is most properly used when we distinguish an universal whole into its several kinds or spe- cies; and perhaps it had been better if this Word had bred always confined to this signification, though it must be confessed, that we frequently speak of the division of an idea into its seve- ral kinds, as well as into its several parts. a b
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