________________
THE PSYCHOLOGY OF PERCEPTION
151
ceptions of the movement and position of our limbs, with closed eyes, and those of the weight and resistance of other bodies are said to be based upon the articular sensations. But we have no specific sensations of movement and position, resistance and weight In fact, none of them can be treated as a sense-datim lihe colour and sound. Hence we Tequire no separate senses for their perceptions If, then, the so-culed muscular and articular sensations can be analysed into sensations of pressure and feelings of strain and pain, we see no reason why we must adinit separate senses for them We admit different external senses for the different kinds of sensations, like colour, sound, etc , because we cannot analyse any of them into any other The sensations of one sense are quite distinct from those of any other sense. But even those who speak of the kinæst hetic senses would admit that 'the kinæsthetic sensations are, in general, very like the cutaneou-, aud, in one case, indistinguishable from cutane vus pressure.' Supposing that there are kınæsthetic senses, we ask: What ensa or sense-qualities do they acquaint us with ? Certainly, movement and position, resistance and weight are not sensa like colours and sounds. There being no other distinct sensa for them, we are to say that the kinæsthetic sensations, like the alleged sensation of m ervation, are really feelings produced by bodily movements. Accordingly, the so-called kinæsthetic senses will have to be regarded as organs of action and not of sensation
2
Function of the senses
The function of the senses is to produce perception of objects. For a sense organ, to function is to give us immediate knowledge about certain objects. How, then, do the senses function to give us perception of objects ? Is the activity of the senses conditioned by their contact with the
