Memory essays

Memory essays What exactly is memory? In Book ten, more specifically, Chapters eight through fourteen of The Confessions of St. Augustine, Augustine examines what he believes the memory to be, and how it functions. Augustine first addresses memory specifically in Chapter eight of Book ten where he describes memory as where are treasures of countless images of things of every manner . . . [and] also whatever we think about . . . (p. 236). He can recall any of these memories that forgetfulness has not yet swallowed up and buried away . . . (p. 236). It may take longer to remember some things than others, for some things may have to be searched for, sifting through other memories that jump into his mind that he must brush away until they are needed. Inside ones memory everything is kept distinct and according to kind . . . (p. 236). Each is obtained through its respective sensory organ and stored for whenever it may be needed. Although the things themselves do not enter . . . (p. 237), images of them are kept. But Augustine ponders how these images are remembered. For when one remembers remembers a sound, he can still hear other things. Also in the memory, Augustine talks of remembering things he has done or others have told him of, and these can be conjured up at any moment in order to influence his many decisions which he must make. Augustine ends the chapter by proclaiming Great is the power of memory, exceedingly great is it, O God, and inner chamber, vast and unbounded! (p. 238). In this final paragraph he amazes at that which is memory. He says that men go to great lengths in order to gaze at mountain heights, at huge waves in the sea, at the broad expanse of flowing rivers, at the wide reaches of the ocean, and at the circuits of the stars . . . (p. 238), but they fail to observe the wonder which is within themselves. They do not appreciate...