Actual Engagements

and similarly with the other senses, without there being any agreement between the mental images they receive and the movement that these mental images create; it is not necessary. For it is observed that one and the same force of movement can produce different sensations in different instruments of our senses. As can be realized, for instance, when someone receives a punch in the eyes, they think sparks of fire and lightning shoot from their sight. And if that blow comes near the ears, it creates a sound: The reason is that the threads of the optic nerve are so moved as to create a strong light or fire, akin to what happens with the ears when the movement of some sound or noise occurs. And just as such actions are conveyed to the intellect as false as they are, they cannot be considered deceptions by the intellect, which only receives them passively, as we have previously stated. But one might then lightly err when judging something from received opinions, agreeing or denying, without having clearly and distinctly investigated how and where the heard sounds and visual sparks are made and brought to our understanding.

Now, we must also acknowledge how one can discern, from which side the appearance of an object formed in our eyes and seen by us is turned, or in what position it is located. One should not think that this happens through an action or image that comes from the seen object, but only through the position...

How the Soul understands according to what it is accustomed to the things it sees.

Translation Notes

"Werkelijke besigheden" translates to "Actual Engagements" which indicates practical insights or considerations.