What is the meaning of the togetherness of the perceiving mind, in that peculiar modification of perceiving which makes it perceive not a star but a tree, and the tree itself, is a problem for philosophy.
From Samuel Alexander
Curiosity begins as an act of tearing to pieces or analysis.
The perceptive act is a reaction of the mind upon the object of which it is the perception.
Desire then is the invasion of the whole self by the wish, which, as it invades, sets going more and more of the psychical processes; but at the same time, so long as it remains desire, does not succeed in getting possession of the self.
An expectation is a future object, recognised as belonging to me.
Both expectations and memories are more than mere images founded on previous experience.
It is more difficult to designate this form of conation on its practical side by a satisfactory name.
Psychology is the science of the act of experiencing, and deals with the whole system of such acts as they make up mental life.
Hence, in desiring, the more the enjoyment is delayed, the more fancy begins to weave about the object images of future fruition, and to clothe the desired object with properties calculated to inflame the impulse.
It may be added, to prevent misunderstanding, that when I speak of contemplated objects in this last phrase as objects of contemplation, the act of contemplation itself is of course an enjoyment.
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