[CHAPTER VII.]
ANALYSIS OF THE OBJECTIVENESS OF SENSATIONS.
37. Is the external world such as we believe it to be? Are the beings, called bodies, which cause our sensations in reality what we believe them? May we not, even after having demonstrated the existence of these beings, and their necessary subjection to constant laws, still doubt whether we have demonstrated the existence of bodies? Does it suffice for this to have proved the existence of external beings in relation among themselves and with us by means of laws fixed and independent of them as of ourselves?
38. Thoroughly to understand this question, it will be well to simplify it, and confine it to a single object.
I hold in my hand and see an orange. I am certain, from what has just been demonstrated, that an external object exists in relation with other beings, and with myself, by necessary laws; I am also certain that I may receive different impressions from it; I see its color, size, and shape, perceive its odor, try its taste; feel in my hand its size, weight, and form, its concavities and convexities, and also hear a little noise when I press it with my hand.
The idea of body is composite, and such is that of the orange; for it is that of something external, extended, colored, odorous, and savory. Whenever all these circumstances exist together, whenever I receive from an object these same impressions, I say that I see an orange.
39. Let us now examine how far the object corresponds to the sensations it causes in us.