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vi Preface
Appendices
Many instructors find it highly beneficial to require a consistent style for all assign-
ments. If the style guide in Appendix I conflicts with instructor sentiment or local
customs, however, it is available in electronic form so that it can be modified.
A. The Basic Latin and Latin-1 Subsets F. Tool Summary
of Unicode G. Number Systems
B. Java Operator Summary H. UML Summary
C. Java Reserved Word Summary I. Java Language Coding Guidelines
D. The Java Library J. HTML Summary
E. Java Syntax Summary
Web Resources
This book is complemented by a complete suite of online resources. Go to www.wiley.
com/college/horstmann to visit the online companion sites, which include
Go to wiley.com/go/
javacode to download
a program that dem-
onstrates variables
and assignments.
provides complete programs for FULL CODE EXAMPLE Some people call this loop count-controlled. In con-
trast, the while loop of the preceding section can be
students to run and modify.
Go to wiley.com/go/
javacode to download
a program that
called an event-controlled loop because it executes
uses common loop until an event occurs; namely that the balance reaches
algorithms. the target. Another commonly used term for a
count-controlled loop is definite. You know from
the outset that the loop body will be executed a
definite number of times; ten times in our example.
In contrast, you do not know how many iterations it
takes to accumulate a target balance. Such a loop is
Annotated syntax boxes called indefinite. You can visualize the for loop as
an orderly sequence of steps.
provide a quick, visual overview
of new language constructs. Syntax 6.2 for Statement
In the same way that there can be a street named “Main Street” in different cities,
a Java program can have multiple variables with the same name.
evaluating proposed solutions, often Now how does that help us with our problem, switching the first and the second
using pencil and paper or other half of the array?
Let’s put the first coin into place, by swapping it with the fifth coin. However, as
artifacts. These sections emphasize Java programmers, we will say that we swap the coins in positions 0 and 4:
int width = 20; Declares an integer variable and initializes it with 20.
int perimeter = 4 * width; The initial value need not be a fixed value. (Of course, width
must have been previously declared.)
String greeting = "Hi!"; This variable has the type String and is initialized with the
Example tables support beginners
string “Hi”. with multiple, concrete examples.
height = 30; Error: The type is missing. This statement is not a declaration
but an assignment of a new value to an existing variable—see These tables point out common
Section 2.2.5.
errors and present another quick
Error: You cannot initialize a number with the string “20”.
reference to the section’s topic.
int width = "20";
(Note the quotation marks.)
int width; Declares an integer variable without initializing it. This can be a
cause for errors—see Common Error 2.1 on page 42.
int width, height; Declares two integer variables in a single statement. In this
book, we will declare each variable in a separate statement.
This means “compute the value of width + 10 1 and store that value in the variable
width 2 ” (see Figure 4).
Progressive figures trace code
In Java, it is not a problem that the variable width is used on both sides of the = sym-
bol. Of course, in mathematics, the equation width = width + 10 has no solution.
segments to help students visualize
the program flow. Color is used
1 Compute the value of the right-hand side consistently to make variables and
width = 30
other elements easily recognizable.
width + 10
40
2 Check condition
for (int counter = 1; counter <= 10; counter++)
{
System.out.println(counter);
counter = 1 }
4 Update counter
for (int counter = 1; counter <= 10; counter++)
{
The for loop neatly groups the initialization, condition, and update expressions
together. However, it is important to realize that these expressions are not executed
Self-check exercises at the together (see Figure 3).
end of each section are designed • The initialization is executed once, before the loop is entered. 1
to make students think through • The condition is checked before each iteration. 2 5
• The update is executed after each iteration. 4
the new material—and can
Write the for loop of the Investment class as a while loop.
spark discussion in lecture.
11.
SELF CHECK
12. How many numbers does this loop print?
for (int n = 10; n >= 0; n--)
{
System.out.println(n);
}
13. Write a for loop that prints all even numbers between 10 and 20 (inclusive).
14. Write a for loop that computes the sum of the integers from 1 to n.
Practice It Now you can try these exercises at the end of the chapter: R6.4, R6.10, E6.8, E6.12.
Optional science and business
exercises engage students with •• Business E6.17 Currency conversion. Write a program
realistic applications of Java. that first asks the user to type today’s
price for one dollar in Japanese yen,
then reads U.S. dollar values and
converts each to yen. Use 0 as a sentinel.
occur, and what to do about them. have to remember the correct syntax
for every data type. String a.length()
good programming practices, instance variable is set to 80,000 and status is set to MARRIED. Then the getTax method is called.
In lines 31 and 32 of TaxReturn.java, tax1 and tax2 are initialized to 0.
and encourage students to be 29 public double getTax()
30 {
Call with
showOpenDialog
method
social context” requirements of the us. Your cell phone has a computer consumed on com- This transit card contains a computer.
inside, as do many credit cards and fare puters, and comput-
Web Resources
http://horstmann.com/codecheck/
CodeCheck “CodeCheck” is a new
online service currently in development
by Cay Horstmann that students can
use to check their homework and to
work on additional practice problems.
Visit http://horstmann.com/codecheck
to learn more and to try it out.
a) The code snippet displays the total marks of all ten subjects.
b) The for loop causes a run-time time error on the first iteration.
c) The code snippet causes a bounds error.
d) The code snippet displays zero.
Class Data
IDCard ID number
CallingCard Card number, PIN
DriverLicense Expiration year
Write declarations for each of the subclasses. For each subclass, supply private instance variables. Leave the
bodies of the constructors and the format methods blank for now.
Acknowledgments
Many thanks to Beth Lang Golub, Don Fowley, Elizabeth Mills, Katherine Willis,
Jenny Welter, Wendy Ashenberg, Lisa Gee, Kevin Holm, and Tim Lindner at John
Wiley & Sons, and Vickie Piercey at Publishing Services for their help with this proj-
ect. An especially deep acknowledgment and thanks goes to Cindy Johnson for her
hard work, sound judgment, and amazing attention to detail.
I am grateful to Suchindran Chatterjee, Arizona State University, Jose Cordova,
University of Louisiana, Udayan Das, DeVry University, James Johnson, Aaron
Keen, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo, Norm Krumpe,
Miami University Ohio, Kathy Liszka, University of Akron, Kathleen O’Brien, San
Jose State University, Donald Smith, Columbia College, Mark Thomas, University of
Cincinnati, Laurie White, Mercer University, Brent Wilson, George Fox University,
and David Woolbright, Columbus State University, for their excellent contributions
to the supplementary materials.
Many thanks to the individuals who reviewed the manuscript for this edition,
made valuable suggestions, and brought an embarrassingly large number of errors
and omissions to my attention. They include:
Eric Aaron, Wesleyan University Guy Helmer, Iowa State Bill Mongan, Drexel University
James Agnew, Anne Arundel University George Novacky, University
Community College Ed Holden, Rochester Institute of Pittsburgh
Greg Ballinger, Miami Dade of Technology Mimi Opkins, California State
College Steven Janke, Colorado College University Long Beach
Jon Beck, Truman State Mark Jones, Lock Haven Derek Pao, City University of
University University of Pennsylvania Hong Kong
Matt Boutell, Rose-Hulman Dr. Mustafa Kamal, University of Katherine Salch, Illinois Central
Institute of Technology Central Missouri College
John Bundy, DeVry University Gary J. Koehler, University of Javad Shakib, DeVry University
Chicago Florida Charlie Shu, Franklin University
Michael Carney, Finger Lakes Ronald Krawitz, DeVry Joslyn A. Smith, Florida
Community College University International University
Christopher Cassa, Norm Krumpe, Miami Robert Strader, Stephen F. Austin
Massachusetts Institute of University Ohio State University
Technology Jim Leone, Rochester Institute Jonathan S. Weissman, Finger
Dr. Suchindran S. Chatterjee, of Technology Lakes Community College
Arizona State University Kevin Lillis, St. Ambrose Katherine H. Winters, University
Tina Comston, Franklin University of Tennessee Chattanooga
University Darren Lim, Siena College Tom Wulf, University of
Lennie Cooper, Miami Dade Hong Lin, DeVry University Cincinnati
College Kuber Maharjan, Purdue Qi Yu, Rochester Institute of
Sherif Elfayoumy, University of University College of Technology
North Florida Technology at Columbus
Henry A Etlinger, Rochester Patricia McDermott-Wells,
Institute of Technology Florida International
University
Every new edition builds on the suggestions and experiences of prior reviewers and
users. I am grateful for the invaluable contributions these individuals have made:
Tim Andersen, Boise State University Elliotte Harold Kai Qian, Southern Polytechnic
Ivan Bajic, San Diego State University Eileen Head, Binghamton University State University
Ted Bangay, Sheridan Institute Cecily Heiner, University of Utah Cyndi Rader, Colorado School
of Technology Brian Howard, Depauw University of Mines
Ian Barland, Radford University Lubomir Ivanov, Iona College Neil Rankin, Worcester Polytechnic
George Basham, Franklin University Norman Jacobson, University of Institute
Sambit Bhattacharya, Fayetteville California, Irvine Brad Rippe, Fullerton College
State University Curt Jones, Bloomsburg University Pedro I. Rivera Vega, University
Rick Birney, Arizona State University Aaron Keen, California Polytechnic of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez
Paul Bladek, Edmonds Community State University, San Luis Obispo Daniel Rogers, SUNY Brockport
College Mugdha Khaladkar, New Jersey Chaman Lal Sabharwal, Missouri
Joseph Bowbeer, Vizrea Corporation Institute of Technology University of Science and
Timothy A. Budd, Oregon State Elliot Koffman, Temple University Technology
University Kathy Liszka, University of Akron John Santore, Bridgewater State
Robert P. Burton, Brigham Young Hunter Lloyd, Montana State College
University University Carolyn Schauble, Colorado State
Frank Butt, IBM Youmin Lu, Bloomsburg University University
Jerry Cain, Stanford University John S. Mallozzi, Iona College Brent Seales, University of Kentucky
Adam Cannon, Columbia University John Martin, North Dakota State Christian Shin, SUNY Geneseo
Nancy Chase, Gonzaga University University Jeffrey Six, University of Delaware
Archana Chidanandan, Rose-Hulman Jeanna Matthews, Clarkson University Don Slater, Carnegie Mellon
Institute of Technology Scott McElfresh, Carnegie Mellon University
Vincent Cicirello, The Richard University Ken Slonneger, University of Iowa
Stockton College of New Jersey Joan McGrory, Christian Brothers Donald Smith, Columbia College
Teresa Cole, Boise State University University Stephanie Smullen, University of
Deborah Coleman, Rochester Institute Carolyn Miller, North Carolina Tennessee, Chattanooga
of Technology State University Monica Sweat, Georgia Institute
Jose Cordova, University of Louisiana, Sandeep R. Mitra, State University of Technology
Monroe of New York, Brockport Peter Stanchev, Kettering University
Valentino Crespi, California State Teng Moh, San Jose State University Shannon Tauro, University of
University, Los Angeles John Moore, The Citadel California, Irvine
Jim Cross, Auburn University Jose-Arturo Mora-Soto, Jesica Ron Taylor, Wright State University
Russell Deaton, University Rivero-Espinosa, and Julio-Angel Russell Tessier, University of
of Arkansas Cano-Romero, University Massachusetts, Amherst
Geoffrey Decker, Northern Illinois of Madrid Jonathan L. Tolstedt, North Dakota
University Faye Navabi, Arizona State University State University
H. E. Dunsmore, Purdue University Parviz Partow-Navid, California State David Vineyard, Kettering University
Robert Duvall, Duke University University, Los Angeles Joseph Vybihal, McGill University
Eman El-Sheikh, University of Kevin O’Gorman, California Xiaoming Wei, Iona College
West Florida Polytechnic State University, San Todd Whittaker, Franklin University
John Fendrich, Bradley University Luis Obispo Robert Willhoft, Roberts Wesleyan
David Freer, Miami Dade College Michael Olan, Richard Stockton College
John Fulton, Franklin University College Lea Wittie, Bucknell University
David Geary, Sabreware, Inc. Kevin Parker, Idaho State University David Womack, University of Texas
Margaret Geroch, Wheeling Jesuit Jim Perry, Ulster County Community at San Antonio
University College David Woolbright, Columbus State
Ahmad Ghafarian, North Georgia Cornel Pokorny, California University
College & State University Polytechnic State University, Catherine Wyman, DeVry University
Rick Giles, Acadia University San Luis Obispo Arthur Yanushka, Christian Brothers
Stacey Grasso, College of San Mateo Roger Priebe, University of Texas, University
Jianchao Han, California State Austin Salih Yurttas, Texas A&M University
University, Dominguez Hills C. Robert Putnam, California State
Lisa Hansen, Western New England University, Northridge
College
Preface iii
Special Features xxii
Chapter 1 Introduction 1
1.1 Computer Programs 2
1.2 The Anatomy of a Computer 3
1.3 The Java Programming Language 6
1.4 Becoming Familiar with Your Programming Environment 8
1.5 Analyzing Your First Program 12
1.6 Errors 15
1.7 Problem Solving: Algorithm Design 16
xv
Appendices
103 In illustration of the fact, that sensations and ideas, which are
essential to some of the most important 104 operations of our minds,
serve only as antecedents to more important consequents, and are
themselves so 105 habitually overlooked, that their existence is
unknown, we may recur to the remarkable case which we have just
explained, of the ideas introduced by the sensations of sight. The
minute gradations of colour, which accompany varieties of extension,
figure, and distance, are insignificant. The figure, the size, the
distance, themselves, on the other hand, are matters of the greatest
importance. The first having introduced the last, their work is done.
The consequents remain the sole objects of attention, the
antecedents are forgotten; in the present instance, not completely;
in other instances, so completely, that they cannot be recognised.33
34
33 Perhaps the most remarkable case of sensations overlooked on their own
account, and considered only as a means of suggesting something else, is the
visual, or retinal, magnitude of objects seen by the eye. This is probably the most
delicate sensibility within the compass of the mind; and yet we habitually
disregard it for all things near us, and use it solely for perceiving real magnitude
as estimated by our locomotive and other members. The visual magnitude of a
table, or other article in a room, is never thought of for itself; although incessantly
fluctuating we never think of the fluctuations; we pass from these to the one
constant perception, named the true or real magnitude. It is only for remote
objects, as the sun and moon, the clouds, the distant hills, that the retinal
magnitude abides with us in its own proper character. In looking down a vista, we
may also be aroused to the feeling of retinal magnitude. For perspective drawing,
it is necessary that we should arrest the strong tendency to pass from the visible,
to the real, forms and dimensions of things.—B.
34 The reader, it may be hoped, is now familiar with the important psychological
fact, so powerfully grasped and so discerningly employed by Hartley and the
author of the Analysis,—that when, through the frequent repetition of a series of
sensations, the corresponding train of ideas rushes through the mind with extreme
rapidity, some of the links are apt to disappear from consciousness as completely
as if they had never formed part of the series. It has been a subject of dispute
among philosophers which of three things takes place in this case. Do the lost
ideas pass through the mind without consciousness? Do they pass consciously
through the mind and are they then instantly forgotten? Or do they never come
into the mind at all, being, as it were, overleaped and pressed out by the rush of
the subsequent ideas?
It would seem, at first sight, that the first and third suppositions involve
impossibilities, and that the second, therefore, is the only one which we are at
liberty to adopt. As regards the first, it may be said—How can we have a feeling
without feeling it, in other words, without being conscious of it? With regard to the
third, how, it may be asked, can any link of the chain have been altogether
absent, through the pressure of the subsequent links? The subsequent ideas are
only there because called up by it, and would not have arisen at all unless it had
arisen first, however short a time it may have lasted. These arguments seem
strong, but are not so strong as they seem.
In favour of the first supposition, that feelings may be unconsciously present,
various facts and arguments are adduced by Sir William Hamilton in his Lectures;
but I think I have shewn in another work, that the arguments are inconclusive,
and the facts equally reconcilable with the second of the three hypotheses. That a
feeling should not be felt appears to me a contradiction both in words and in
nature. But, though a feeling cannot exist without being felt, the organic state
which is the antecedent of it may exist, and the feeling itself not follow. This
happens, either if the organic state is not of sufficient duration, or if an organic
state stronger than itself, and conflicting with it, is affecting us at the same
moment. I hope to be excused for quoting what I have said elsewhere on this
subject (Examination of Sir William Hamilton’s Philosophy, ch. 15).
“In the case, for instance, of a soldier who receives a wound in battle, but in the
excitement of the moment is not aware of the fact, it is difficult not to believe that
if the wound had been accompanied by the usual sensation, so vivid a feeling
would have forced itself to be attended to and remembered. The supposition
which seems most probable is, that the nerves of the particular part were affected
as they would have been by the same cause in any other circumstances, but that,
the nervous centres being intensely occupied with other impressions, the affection
of the local nerves did not reach them, and no sensation was excited. In like
manner, if we admit (what physiology is rendering more and more probable) that
our mental feelings, as well as our sensations, have for their physical antecedents
particular states of the nerves; it may well be believed that the apparently
suppressed links in a chain of association, those which Sir William Hamilton
considers as latent, really are so; that they are not, even momentarily, felt; the
chain of causation being continued only physically, by one organic state of the
nerves succeeding another so rapidly that the state of mental consciousness
appropriate to each is not produced. We have only to suppose, either that a
nervous modification of too short duration does not produce any sensation or
mental feeling at all, or that the rapid succession of different nervous modifications
makes the feelings produced by them interfere with each other, and become
confounded in one mass. The former of these suppositions is extremely probable,
while of the truth of the latter we have positive proof. An example of it is the
experiment which Sir W. Hamilton quoted from Mr. Mill, and which had been
noticed before either of them by Hartley. It is known that the seven prismatic
colours, combined in certain proportions, produce the white light of the solar ray.
Now, if the seven colours are painted on spaces bearing the same proportion to
one another as in the solar spectrum, and the coloured surface so produced is
passed rapidly before the eyes, as by the turning of a wheel, the whole is seen as
white. The physiological explanation of this phenomenon may be deduced from
another common experiment. If a lighted torch, or a bar heated to luminousness,
is waved rapidly before the eye, the appearance produced is that of a ribbon of
light; which is universally understood to prove that the visual sensation persists for
a certain short time after its cause has ceased. Now, if this happens with a single
colour, it will happen with a series of colours: and if the wheel on which the
prismatic colours have been painted, is turned with the same rapidity with which
the torch was waved, each of the seven sensations of colour will last long enough
to be contemporaneous with all the others, and they will naturally produce by their
combination the same colour as if they had, from the beginning, been excited
simultaneously. If anything similar to this obtains in our consciousness generally
(and that it obtains in many cases of consciousness there can be no doubt) it will
follow that whenever the organic modifications of our nervous fibres succeed one
another at an interval shorter than the duration of the sensations or other feelings
corresponding to them, those sensations or feelings will, so to speak, overlap one
another, and becoming simultaneous instead of successive, will blend into a state
of feeling, probably as unlike the elements out of which it is engendered, as the
colour white is unlike the prismatic colours. And this may be the source of many of
those states of internal or mental feeling which we cannot distinctly refer to a
prototype in experience, our experience only supplying the elements from which,
by this kind of mental chemistry, they are composed. The elementary feelings may
then be said to be latently present, or to be present but not in consciousness. The
truth, however, is that the feelings themselves are not present, consciously or
latently, but that the nervous modifications which are their usual antecedents have
been present, while the consequents have been frustrated, and another
consequent has been produced instead.”
In this modified form, therefore, the first of the three hypotheses may possibly
be true. Let us now consider the third, that of the entire elision of some of the
ideas which form the associated train. This supposition seemed to be inadmissible,
because the loss of any link would, it was supposed, cause the chain itself to
break off at that point. To make the hypothesis possible, it is only, however,
necessary to suppose, that, while the association is acquiring the promptitude and
rapidity which it ultimately attains, each of the successive ideas abides for a brief
interval in our consciousness after it has already called up the idea which is to
succeed it. Each idea in the series, though introduced, not by synchronous, but by
successive association, is thus, during a part of its continuance, synchronous with
the idea which introduced it: and as the rapidity of the suggestions increases by
still further repetition, an idea may become synchronous with another which was
originally not even contiguous to it, but separated from it by an intervening link; or
may come into immediate instead of mediate sequence with such an idea. When
either of these states of things has continued for some time, a direct association of
the synchronous or of the successive kind will be generated between two ideas
which are not proximate links in the chain; A will acquire a direct power of exciting
C, independently of the intervening idea B. If, then, B is much less interesting than
C, and especially if B is of no importance at all in itself, but only by exciting C, and
has therefore nothing to make the mind dwell on it after C has been reached, the
association of A with C is likely to become stronger than that of A with B: C will be
habitually excited directly by A; as the mind runs off to the further ideas
suggested by C, B will cease to be excited at all; and the train of association, like a
stream which breaking though its bank cuts off a bend in its course, will
thenceforth flow in the direct line AC, omitting B. This supposition accounts more
plausibly than either of the others for the truly wonderful rapidity of thought, since
it does not make so large a demand as the other theories on our ability to believe
that a prodigious number of different ideas can successively rush through the
mind in an instant too short for measurement.
The result is, that all the three theories of this mental process seem to be quite
possible; and it is not unlikely that each of them may be the real process in some
cases, either in different persons, or in the same persons under different
circumstances. I can only remit the question to future psychologists, who may be
able to contrive crucial experiments for deciding among these various possibilities.
—Ed.
106 11. Mr. Hume, and after him other philosophers, have said that
our ideas are associated according to 107 three principles; Contiguity
in time and place, Causation, and Resemblance. The Contiguity in
time and 108 place, must mean, that of the sensations; and so far it
is affirmed, that the order of the ideas follows that 109 of the
sensations. Contiguity of two sensations in time, means the
successive order. Contiguity of two 110 sensations in place, means
the synchronous order. We have explained the mode in which ideas
are associated, in the synchronous, as well as the successive order,
and have traced the principle of contiguity to its proper source.
The two considerations now advanced, namely, the want of strict concomitance
between strength of feeling and the stimulus to memory, and the operation of the
will in the abeyance of present feeling, make it desirable to find some other mode
of stating the element or condition that qualifies the influence of Frequency or
Repetition, in the growth of memory and association. Perhaps the best mode of
singling out the operative circumstance is to describe it as “Concentration of
Mind;” the devotion of the mental forces to the thing to be done or remembered—
the withdrawal of power from other exercises, to expend it on the exercise in
hand. Every circumstance that at once rouses the mental and nervous energies,
and keeps them fixed upon any subject of study or the practice of any art, is a
circumstance in aid of acquisition. No fact more comprehensive, more exactly in
point, can be assigned than the one now stated. What remains is to apply it in the
detail, or to point out the occasions and conditions that favour, and those that
obstruct, the concentration of the mental energy. It is under this view that we can
best appreciate the efficacy of pleasure (interest in the subject), of pain, of mere
excitement, and of voluntary attention. We can also see, as an obvious corollary,
the advantage of having the mind unoccupied, or disengaged for the work, and
the disadvantage of being diverted, or distracted by other objects. Fear, care,
anxiety, are hostile to culture by lowering the tone or energy of the mind; while
what power is left concentrates itself upon the subject matter of the anxious
feeling. On the other hand, general vigour of the 119 system, good health, easy
circumstances, are all in favour of mental improvement, provided the force thus
made available can be reserved and devoted to that end.
Thus the two leading conditions of the plastic process are Frequency of
Repetition, and Mental Concentration. For practical purposes, these are all that we
need to consider, at least as regards the same individual. We have no art or device
for training either body or mind but what is comprised under one or other of these
heads. There are methods of superseding the labour of new acquirement, by
adapting existing acquirements to new cases; but no means can be assigned for
the original construction of adhesive links, apart from these two circumstances.
Still, in a large and exhaustive view of the Retentive power of the mind, we
should not omit to allow for the differences between one mind and another in
respect of Natural Aptitude for acquiring. When two persons engaged in the same
lesson, for equal periods of time, and with about equal concentration of mind,
make very unequal progress, we must admit a difference in natural or
constitutional plasticity on that particular subject. Sometimes we find extraordinary
progress made in acquisition generally; the same person excelling in languages, in
sciences, in practical arts, and in fine arts. More commonly, however, we find an
aptitude for some subject in particular, combined with deficiency in other things.
One person has great mechanical acquirements, another lingual, and so on.
120 The second case, the inequality of the same person’s progress in different
subjects, may be looked at in another way. We may view it as incident to the
better or worse quality, for all purposes, of the special organs concerned. Thus to
take musical acquisition. This is commonly attributed to a good ear, meaning a
delicate sense of musical notes, as shown in their nice discrimination.
Discriminating is a different function from remembering; yet, we can only doubt
that the fact of being able to discriminate acutely is accompanied by the power of
remembering or retaining the impressions of the sense. The superiority of
endowment that shows itself in the one function, embraces also the other. Hence
we are entitled to say that the special retentiveness for any one subject, or
department of training, varies with the local endowment involved: which is not to
maintain an identical proposition, for the local endowment may be held as tested
by delicacy of discrimination, a distinct fact from memory. Thus, a delicate sense
of shades of colour would entail a good visual memory for spectacle; a delicate ear
for articulation would indicate a memory for shades and varieties of pronunciation,
thereby counting as a part of the verbal memory. So, delicate discrimination in the
tactile muscles would be followed by rapid acquirements in manipulative or manual
art.
The Ultimate Analysis of the Laws of Association.—It is easy to reduce all the
laws ever assigned, as governing the reproduction of our ideas, to three,
Contiguity, Similarity, and Contrast. It is open to question whether these can be
resolved any farther. The author has endeavoured to reduce Similarity to
Contiguity, but his reasons show that he had not deeply considered the workings
of similarity. Hamilton’s criticisms on the attempt (Reid, p. 914) are just and
irrefragable. By far the most important examples of the working of similarity are
such as, by their very nature, preclude a former contiguity: as, for example,
Franklin’s identification of Electricity and lightning.
Let us try and express the consecutive steps of this case of reproduction. The
thing now present to the mind has certain 122 peculiarities in common with one or
more things formerly present; as when, in a portrait, the outline and colouring
resembles a subject original. These sensible effects make alive the previous
recurrence of them, or put us in the cerebral and mental attitude formerly
experienced by the corresponding effects of the resembling object. We are aware,
by the liveliness of our impression, that we have gone in upon an old track; we
have the peculiar consciousness called the consciousness of Identity or
Agreement. This is one step, but not the whole. In order that the complete
restoration may be effected, the features of community must be in such firm
contiguous alliance with the features of difference—the special part of the previous
subject that the one shall reinstate the idea of the other. The points common to a
present portrait and a past original must be so strongly coherent with the
remaining features of the original, that the one cannot be awakened without the
other following. Here, then, in the very heart of Similarity, is an indispensable
bond of Contiguity; showing that it is not possible for either process to be
accomplished in separation from the other. The mutual coherence of parts, now
described as essential to reproduction, may be too weak for the purpose, and the
recovering stroke of similarity will in that case fail.
It might, therefore, be supposed that Similarity is, after all, but a mode of
Contiguity, namely, the contiguity or association of the different features or parts
of a complex whole. The inference is too hasty. Because contiguity is a part of the
fact of the restoration of similars, it is not the entire fact. There is a distinct and
characteristic step preceding the play of this mutual coherence of the parts of the
thing to be recovered. The striking into the former track of the agreeing part of
the new and the old, is a mental movement by itself, which the other follows, but
does not do away with. The effect above described, as the consciousness of
agreement or identity, the flash of a felt similarity, is real and distinct. We are
conscious of it by itself; there are occasions when we have it without the other,
that is to say, without the full re-instatement of the former 123 object in its
entireness. We often aware of an identity without being able to say what is the
thing identified; as when a portrait gives us the impression that we have seen the
original, without enabling us to say who the original is. We have been affected by
the stroke of identity or similarity; but the restoration fails from the feebleness of
the contiguous adherence of the parts of the object identified. There is thus a
genuine effect of the nature of pure similarity, or resemblance, and a mode of
consciousness accompanying that effect; but there is not the full energy of
reproduction without a concurring bond of pure contiguity. A portrait may fail to
give us the consciousness of having ever seen the original. On the supposition that
we have seen the original, this would be a failure of pure similarity.
127
CHAPTER IV.
NAMING .
The sensations and ideas of one man are hidden from all other
men; unless they have recourse to some expedient for disclosing
them. We cannot convey to another man our sensations and ideas
directly. Our means of intercourse with other men are through their
senses exclusively. We must therefore choose some SENSIBLE OBJECTS,
as SIGNS of our inward feelings. If two men agree, that each shall use
a certain sensible sign, when one of them means to make known to
the other that he has a certain sensation, or idea, they, in this, and
in no other way, can communicate a knowledge of those feelings to
one another.
Almost all the advantages, which man possesses above the inferior
animals, arise from his power of acting in combination with his
fellows; and of accomplishing, by the united efforts of numbers,
what could 129 not be accomplished by the detached efforts of
individuals. Without the power of communicating to one another
their sensations and ideas, this co-operation would be impossible.
The importance, therefore, of the invention of signs, or marks, by
which alone that communication can be effected, is obvious.
Among sensible objects, those alone which are addressed to the
senses of seeing and hearing have sufficient precision and variety to
be adapted to this end. The language of Action, as it has been
called, that is, certain gesticulations and motions, has very generally,
especially among rude people, whose spoken language is scanty,
been found in use to indicate certain states, generally complicated
states, of mind. But, for precision, variety, and rapidity, the flexibility
of the voice presented such obvious advantages, not to mention that
visible signs must be altogether useless in the dark, that sounds,
among all the varieties of our species, have been assumed as the
principal medium by which their sensations and ideas were made
known to one another.
4. But all this power depends upon the order of our ideas. The
importance, therefore, is unspeakable, of being able to insure the
order of our ideas; to make, in other words, the order of a train of
ideas correspond unerringly with a train of past sensations. We have
not, however, a direct command over the train of our ideas. A train
of ideas may have passed in our minds corresponding to events of
great importance; but that train will not pass again, unvaried, except
in very simple cases, without the use of expedients.
6. To one of the two sets of occasions, upon which Signs are thus
useful, evanescent Signs are the best adapted; permanent signs are
absolutely necessary for the other. For the purposes of speech, or
immediate communication, sounds are the most convenient marks.
Sounds, however, perish in the making. But for the purpose of
retracing a train of ideas, which we have formerly had, it is
necessary we should have marks which do not perish. Marks,
addressed to the sight, or the touch, have the requisite permanence;
and, of the two, those addressed to the eye have the advantage. Of
marks addressed to the eye, two kinds have been adopted; either
marks immediately of the ideas intended to be recalled; such as the
picture-writing, or hieroglyphics, of some nations: or, visible marks,
by letters, of the audible marks employed in oral communication.
This latter kind has been found the most convenient, and in use
among the largest, and most intelligent portion of our species.
134
SECTION I.
NOUNS SUBSTANTIVE .
If any person were asked, whether the word BEING is the name of
a Sensation, or of an Idea; he would immediately reply, that it is the
name of an Idea. In like manner, if he were asked, whether the word
ANIMAL is the mark of a cluster of Sensations, or of a cluster of Ideas;
he would with equal readiness say, of a cluster of Ideas. But if we
were to ask, whether the name Sheep is the name of a cluster of
Sensations, or of a cluster of Ideas; he would probably say, that
Sheep is the name of Sensations; in the same manner as rose, or
apple. Yet, what is the difference? Only this, that ANIMAL is the more
general name, and includes sheep along with other species; and that
BEING is still more general, and includes animal along with vegetable,
mineral, and other 139 genera. If sheep, therefore, or stone, be a
name of sensations, so is animal or being; and if animal, or being,
be a name of ideas, so is sheep or stone a name of ideas. The fact
is, they are all names of both. They are names of the Sensations,
primarily; but are afterwards employed as names also of the Ideas
or copies of those sensations.
It thus appears, that the names generally of what are called the
objects of sense are equivocal; and whereas it would have been a
security against confusion to have been provided with appropriate
names, one, in each instance, for the Sensation, and one for the
Idea, the same name has been made to serve as the mark for both.
The term horse is not only made to stand for the sensations of sight,
of hearing, of touch, and even of smell, which give me occasion for
the use of the term horse; but it stands also for the ideas of those
sensations, as often as I have occasion to speak of that cluster of
ideas which compose my notion of a horse. The term tree denotes
undoubtedly the Idea in my mind, when I mean to convey the idea
tree into the mind of another man; but it also stands for the
sensations whence I have derived my idea of a tree.
The names of the ideas which are thus mentally clustered, are
exempt from that ambiguity which we saw belonged to the names of
both classes of sensible ideas. The names of sensible ideas generally
stand for the sensations as well as the ideas. The names of the
mental ideas are not transferable to sensations. But they are subject
to another uncertainty, still more fertile in confusion, and
embarrassment.
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