How would you describe the mind? During the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, philosophers invoked a number of metaphors to aid them in this tricky task: John Locke described the mind as a cabinet; Joseph Addison compared thinking to walking; and John Milton imagined that the muse Urania descended upon his bed at night to inspire poetry. Sean Silver, a scholar of eighteenth-century literature, has created this born-digital museum dedicated to the various metaphorical imaginings of the mind. On this website, visitors can learn more about these imaginings via short, intriguing essays and digitized images of related artifacts. Artifacts of note include Milton's bedframe, Joshua Reynolds's camera obscura, and a number of late eighteenth-century sketches by anatomist William Hunter. These items are organized into five exhibits, each one centering on a common theme: Metaphor, Design, Digression, Interiority, Conception, and Dispossession. Silver's unique museum provides insight into eighteenth-century literature, philosophy, and science. Those interested in learning more will want to check out Silver's 2015 book of the same title.
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