For an image, being a finite thing, cannot possibly represent the Infinite.
"Yet," argued Bouvard, "when I think of a forest, of a person, of a dog, I see this forest, this person, this dog. Therefore the ideas do represent them."
And they proceeded to deal with the origin of ideas.
According to Locke, there are two originating causes—sensation and reflection; and Condillac reduces everything to sensation.
But then reflection will lack a basis. It has need of a subject, of a sentient being; and it is powerless to furnish us with the great fundamental truths: God, merit and demerit, the Just, the Beautiful—ideas which are all innate, that is to say, anterior to facts, and to experience, and universal.
"If they were universal we should have them from our birth."
"By this word is meant dispositions to have them; and Descartes——"
"Your Descartes is muddled, for he maintains that the fœtus possesses them, and he confesses in another place that this is in an implied fashion."
Pécuchet was astonished. "Where is this found?"
"In Gérando." And Bouvard tapped him lightly on the stomach.