The sensation caused by the appearance of that work is still
remembered by many.
Brougham.
Syn. -- Perception. -- Sensation, Perseption. The distinction between
these words, when used in mental philosophy, may be thus stated; if I
simply smell a rose, I have a sensation; if I refer that smell to the
external object which occasioned it, I have a perception. Thus, the
former is mere feeling, without the idea of an object; the latter is
the mind's apprehension of some external object as occasioning that
feeling. "Sensation properly expresses that change in the state of the
mind which is produced by an impression upon an organ of sense (of
which change we can conceive the mind to be conscious, without any
knowledge of external objects). Perception, on the other hand,
expresses the knowledge or the intimations we obtain by means of our
sensations concerning the qualities of matter, and consequently
involves, in every instance, the notion of externality, or outness,
which it is necessary to exclude in order to seize the precise import
of the word sensation." Fleming.
Sen*sa"tion*al (?), a. 1. Of or pertaining to sensation; as,
sensational nerves.
2. Of or pertaining to sensationalism, or the doctrine that sensation
is the sole origin of knowledge.
3. Suited or intended to excite temporarily great interest or emotion;
melodramatic; emotional; as, sensational plays or novels; sensational
preaching; sensational journalism; a sensational report.
Sen*sa"tion*al*ism (?), n. 1. (Metaph.) The doctrine held by Condillac,
and by some ascribed to Locke, that our ideas originate solely in
sensation, and consist of sensations transformed; sensualism; --
opposed to intuitionalism, and rationalism.
2. The practice or methods of sensational writing or speaking; as, the
sensationalism of a novel.
Sen*sa"tion*al*ist, n. 1. (Metaph.) An advocate of, or believer in,
philosophical sensationalism.