Impressions form the basis of all human knowledge from "summary" of A Treatise of Human Nature by David Hume
All the perceptions of the human mind resolve themselves into two distinct kinds, which I shall call IMPRESSIONS and IDEAS. The difference between them consists in the degrees of force and liveliness with which they strike upon the mind, and make their way into our thought or consciousness. Those perceptions which enter with most force and violence we may name impressions; and under this name I comprehend all our sensations, passions, and emotions, as they make their first appearance in the soul. By ideas I mean the faint images of these in thinking and reasoning. Our feelings, in their clearest and most distinct form, are impressions; more obscure and faint are the ideas that arise from them. The most lively thought is still inferior to the dullest sensation. All our ideas or more feeble perceptions are copies of our impressions or more lively ones. We can never think of anything that we have not seen or felt. Every idea is copied from a similar impression. Ideas can never be entirely new, but must arise from impressions which are their models. This is the case with every operation of the mind, except in its first efforts. When a new idea arises, it is only because we have experienced a similar impression before. No idea or concept can emerge without a corresponding impression to accompany it. This is the fundamental principle upon which all knowledge and understanding are built. We can only comprehend things that we have previously experienced in some form or another. Impressions are the foundation of all our knowledge, beliefs, and reasoning. Without them, we would have no basis upon which to build our understanding of the world. Our minds are constantly bombarded with impressions from our senses and emotions, shaping our thoughts and perceptions of reality. It is through these impressions that we form our ideas and concepts, allowing us to navigate the complexities of our existence. Every belief, opinion, or judgment we hold is rooted in the impressions we have experienced throughout our lives. Thus, it is imperative to recognize the crucial role that impressions play in shaping our understanding of the world around us.
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