SENSATION WILL FIRST HAVE TO BE EXAMINED.

Let us now examine to what beings sensation belongs, and whereby it

operates. Let us see whether sensation can take place even without

organs. Of what use to the earth could sensation be? For it does not

serve the earth as means of knowledge; the knowledge which consists

in wisdom suffices for the beings to whom sensation is of no use.

This consideration might however be denied, for the knowledge of

sense-objects offers, besides utility, some of the charms of the Muses.

Such is, for example, the knowledge of the sun and the other stars,

whose contemplation itself is agreeable. This problem will therefore

demand solution.

Plotinos: Complete Works, v. 2 In Chronological Order, Grouped in Four Periods · 第 221 / 381 题