d in colour, with smooth surface, and
two feet in diameter. Now this particular object is defined through the
qualities spherical, red, smooth, etc. But these notions of quality are
all general, although here applied to building up the image of a
particular thing.

PROCESSES OF ACQUIRING KNOWLEDGE SIMILAR

If what has already been noted concerning the law of universal method is
correct, and if all learning is a process of building up a new
experience in accordance with the law of apperception, then all of the
above modes of gaining either particular or general knowledge must
ultimately conform to the laws of general method. Keeping in view the
fact that applied knowledge is always general in character, it will not
be difficult to demonstrate that these various processes do not differ
in their essential characteristics; but that any process of acquiring
either particular or general knowledge conforms to the method of
selection and relation, or of analysis-synthesis, as already described
in our study of the learning process. To demonstrate this, however, it
will be necessary to examine and illustrate the different modes of
learning in the light of the principles of general method already laid
down in the text.

CHAPTER XV

MODES OF LEARNING

DEVELOPMENT OF PARTICULAR KNOWLEDGE

A. LEARNING THROUGH THE SENSES

In many lessons in nature study, elementary science, etc., pupils are
led to acquire new knowledge by having placed before them some
particular object which they may examine through the senses. The
knowledge thus gained through the direct observation of some individual
thing, since it is primarily knowledge about a particular individual, is
to be classified as particular knowledge. As an example of the process
by which a pupil may gain particular knowledge through the senses, a
nature lesson may be taken in which he would, by actual observation,
become acquainted with one of the constellations, say the Great Dipper.
Here the learner first receives through his senses certain impressions
of colour and form. Next he proceeds to read into these impressions
definite meanings, as stars, four, corners, bowl, three, curve, handle,
etc. In such a process of acquiring knowledge about a particular thing,
it is to be noted that the acquisition depends upon two important
conditions:

1. The senses receive impressions from a particular thing.

2. The mind reacts upon these impressions with certain phases of i