The Star in the West

222 THE STAR IN THE WEST known . “ Beyond the constant conjunction of similar objects , and the consequent inference from one to the other , we have no notion of any necessity or con nexion . ” 1 “ Their bodies ) secret nature , and consequently all their effects and influence , may change , without any change in their sensible qualities . This happens some times , and with regard to some objects : Why may it happen always , and with regard to all objects ? What logic , what process of argument secures you against this supposition ? My practice , you say , refutes my doubts . But you mistake the purport of my question . As an agent , I am quite satisfied in the point ; but as a philosopher , who has some show of curiosity ,I will not say scepticism , I want to learn the foundation of this inference . No reading , no inquiry has as yet been able to remove my difficulty , or give me satisfaction in a matter of such importance . Can I do better than propose the difficulty to the public , even though , per haps ,I have small hopes of obtaining a solution ? We shall , at least , by these means , be sensible of our ignorance , if we do not augment our knowledge . “ I must confess that a man is guilty of unpardon able arrogance who concludes , because an argument has escaped his own investigation , that therefore it does not really exist .” ? And he continues further on : “ And though he should be convinced that his under standing has no part in the operation , he would never theless continue in the same course of thinking . There is some other principle which determines him to form such a conclusion ." 3 1 An Enquiry concerning Human Understanding , p . 85 . Ibid . pp . 37-38 . 3 Ibid . p . 43 .