Introduction to the Philosophy of Saint Augustine (continued)
A. It is evident, then, that you exist; and since that could not be evident unless you were living, it is also evident that you live. Do you understand that these two things are very true?
. I understand thoroughly.
. Therefore this third thing is evident; you understand.
. It is evident.
. Which of these three do you think is most excellent?
. Understanding.
. Why do you think so?
. Because while there are three things: to exist, to live, to undermama & A stand; even a stone exists, and a beast lives, yet I do not think that a stone lives, or that a beast understands. But he who understands assuredly both exists and lives; wherefore, I do not hesitate to judge that one more excellent, in which all three are present, than that in which two or one are lacking. For though what lives certainly also exists, it does not follow that it also understands: of such sort, I judge, is the life of the beast. If something exists, moreover, it by no means follows that it lives and understands; for I may acknowledge that a corpse exists, but no one would say that it lives. But if the thing does not live, much less does it understand.
A. We see then that of these three, two are wanting to the corpse, one to the beast, and none to man.
E, "True:
A. We also hold that to be most excellent of the three which man has with the two others; namely, understanding, whose possession implies both existence and life.
E. Surely.
8. A. Tell me now, whether you know that you have those everyday bodily senses: seeing, and hearing, and smelling, and tasting, and touching.
A. What do you think pertains to the sense of sight; I mean what do you think we perceive by sight?
E. Anything corporeal.
A. Do you think we also perceive hardness and softness by sight?
E. No.
A. What then properly pertains to the eyes, and is perceived by them?
E. Color.