Essays on the Intellectual Powers of Man

Thofe that agree in certain attributes are thrown into one parcel, and have a general name given them, which belongs equally to every individual in that parcel. This common name mull therefore fignify thofe attributes which have been obferved to be common to every individual in that parcel, and nothing elfe. That fuch general words may anfwer their intention, all that is neceffary is, that thofe who ufe them fhould affix the fame meaning: or notion, that rs, the lame conception to them. The H ESSAY IV. The H ESSAY IV. C H A P.The common meaning is the ftandard by which I- fuch conceptions are formed, and they are faid ^^'^^^^ to be true or falfe, according as they agree or difagree with it. Thus, my conception of felony is true and juft, when it agrees with the meaning of that word in the laws relating to it, and in authors who underfland the law. The meaning of the word is the thing conceiv- ed ; and that meaning is the conception affixed to it by thofe who bed underfland the language.…