# Section VII: Of Contiguity and Distance in Space and Time explained — A Treatise of Human Nature > Chapter companion for A Treatise of Human Nature by David Hume. ## What happens Hume explores how spatial and temporal distance affects the force and vivacity of our ideas and passions. Objects contiguous to us in space or time are conceived with greater vivacity because of their relation to self. Distance weakens ideas by interrupting the mind's action, with temporal distance having a greater effect than spatial distance. Furthermore, future events have a stronger influence than past ones because the imagination naturally flows forward in time, making future objects seem closer and more vivid. ## Themes in this chapter ### Empiricism and the Primacy of Impressions Hume's analysis of how distance weakens ideas is grounded in the principle that ideas derive from impressions, and the vivacity of ideas is tied to their proximity to impressions. ### Association of Ideas The chapter illustrates how the imagination transitions between ideas based on contiguity in space and time, a key principle of association. ## Character check-ins ### David Hume Author of the Treatise, presenting his reasoning on the effects of contiguity and distance on the imagination and passions. ## Key lines > Ourself is intimately present to us, and whatever is related to self must partake of that quality. Since we are always aware of ourselves, anything closely connected to us gains vividness in our mind. _Hume explains the special force of contiguous objects by their relation to the self._ > The fewer steps we make to arrive at the object, and the smoother the road is, this diminution of vivacity is less sensibly felt, but still may be observed more or less in proportion to the degrees of distance and difficulty. The less distance and difficulty in conceiving an object, the less its vividness is reduced, but the reduction is still noticeable. _Hume describes how the weakening of ideas is proportional to the distance and difficulty of the mental transition._ > Talk to a man of his condition thirty years hence, and he will not regard you. Speak of what is to happen tomorrow, and he will lend you attention. People are indifferent to events far in the future but pay attention to what happens soon. _Hume uses common life examples to illustrate the influence of temporal distance on passions._ > A West-Indian merchant will tell you, that he is not without concern about what passes in Jamaica; though few extend their views so far into futurity, as to dread very remote accidents. A merchant cares about distant places but not about very distant future events. _Hume contrasts the effects of spatial and temporal distance on concern._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_treatise_of_human_nature_se/chapters/section-vii-of-contiguity-and-distance-in-space-and-time - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_treatise_of_human_nature_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_treatise_of_human_nature_se/chapters