"In the perception of a tree we can distinguish the act of experiencing, or perceiving, from the thing experienced, or perceived."
"Desire then is the invasion of the whole self by the wish, which, as it invades, sets going more and more of the psychical processes; but at the same time, so long as it remains desire, does not succeed in getting possession of the self."
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Source: Opening Statement to Senate Judiciary Committee, delivered 9 January 2006
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More quotes by Samuel Alexander
"But though cognition is not an element of mental action, nor even in any real sense of the word an aspect of it, the distinction of cognition and conation has if properly defined a definite value."
"Psychology is the science of the act of experiencing, and deals with the whole system of such acts as they make up mental life."
"The interval between a cold expectation and a warm desire may be filled by expectations of varying degrees of warmth or by desires of varying degrees of coldness."
"Hence, in desiring, the more the enjoyment is delayed, the more fancy begins to weave about the object images of future fruition, and to clothe the desired object with properties calculated to inflame the impulse."
"Curiosity begins as an act of tearing to pieces or analysis."