Common Courtesy in Eighteenth-century English LiteratureIn one of his Idlers, Johnson indicated the problems involved in such an achievement as follows: "As a question becomes more complicated and involved, and extends to a greater number of relations, disagreement of opinion will always be multiplied: not because we are irrational, but because we are finite beings, furnished with different kinds of knowledge, exerting different degrees of attention, one discovering consequences which escape another, none taking in the whole concatenation of causes and effects, and most comprehending but a very small part, each comparing what he observes with a different criterion and each referring it to a different purpose. "Where, then, is the wonder, that they who see only a small part should judge erroneously of the whole? |
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Page 124
... circle of solicitation allowed Mr. Rambler , that is , to give a maximum em- phasis to the broader circle , that circle which includes us all , and to project that , not only in its social comprehensiveness , but as a topic of social ...
... circle of solicitation allowed Mr. Rambler , that is , to give a maximum em- phasis to the broader circle , that circle which includes us all , and to project that , not only in its social comprehensiveness , but as a topic of social ...
Page 142
... circle of opinion is tactfully indicated here with the terms “ instituted and established " and with the passive voice of the opening clause , whereas the circle of experts is denominated . In bridging from his exposition of the ...
... circle of opinion is tactfully indicated here with the terms “ instituted and established " and with the passive voice of the opening clause , whereas the circle of experts is denominated . In bridging from his exposition of the ...
Page 171
... circle of admirers and friends " and the loss to " the world . " These two circles , however , overflow their banks in the full tide of the Life's development — an effect to which the passive constructions obvi- ously contribute . The ...
... circle of admirers and friends " and the loss to " the world . " These two circles , however , overflow their banks in the full tide of the Life's development — an effect to which the passive constructions obvi- ously contribute . The ...
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acknowledges actually agreement allows apparent argument asserts attention Author believe Berkeley Boswell common sense concern Consider continually conversation course courteous courtesy critics described discourse discussion doubt effect enforces epistle Essay established evident example existence experience explains expression figures finally further give hope human Hylas ideas imagine immediately indicated individual instance intellectual Johnson judgment kind knowledge learned least letter literary Lord matter meaning mind nature never notice objects observed occasion once opinion particular passage passive philosophers poem poet polite Pope Pope's position possible practice present Press question quotes Rambler readers reason recognizes reference remarkable represented respondent seems Shandy share social society sometimes Sterne style suggests things thought throughout tion Toby's topics train Treatise Tristram truth turn uncle understanding universal writing