4. Our idea of space boundless.
This, I think, is the way whereby the mind gets the idea of infinite space. It is a
quite different consideration, to examine whether the mind has the idea of such a boundless space actually
existing; since our ideas are not always proofs of the existence of things: but yet, since this comes here in our
way, I suppose I may say, that we are apt to think that space in itself is actually boundless, to which imagination
the idea of space or expansion of itself naturally leads us. For, it being considered by us, either as the extension of
body, or as existing by itself, without any solid matter taking it up, (for of such a void space we have not only the
idea, but I have proved, as I think, from the motion of body, its necessary existence), it is impossible the mind
should be ever able to find or suppose any end of it, or be stopped anywhere in its progress in this space, how far
soever it extends its thoughts. Any bounds made with body, even adamantine walls, are so far from putting a stop
to the mind in its further progress in space and extension that it rather facilitates and enlarges it. For so far as that
body reaches, so far no one can doubt of extension; and when we are come to the utmost extremity of body, what
is there that can there put a stop, and satisfy the mind that it is at the end of space, when it perceives that it is not;
nay, when it is satisfied that body itself can move into it? For, if it be necessary for the motion of body, that there
should be an empty space, though ever so little, here amongst bodies; and if it be possible for body to move in or
through that empty space;--nay, it is impossible for any particle of matter to move but into an empty space; the
same possibility of a body's moving into a void space, beyond the utmost bounds of body, as well as into a void
space interspersed amongst bodies, will always remain clear and evident: the idea of empty pure space, whether
within or beyond the confines of all bodies, being exactly the same, differing not in nature, though in bulk; and
there being nothing to hinder body from moving into it. So that wherever the mind places itself by any thought,
either amongst, or remote from all bodies, it can, in this uniform idea of space, nowhere find any bounds, any end;
and so must necessarily conclude it, by the very nature and idea of each part of it, to be actually infinite.
