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The excerpt represents the core issue or deciding factor on which you must meditate, and is drawn from Rasselas, Prince of Abyssinia by Samuel Johnson: perpetual duration as a consequence of exemption from all causes of
decay: whatever perishes is destroyed by the solution of its
contexture and separation of its parts; nor can we conceive how
that which has no parts, and therefore admits no solution, can be
naturally corrupted or impaired."
"I know not," said Rasselas, "how to conceive anything without
extension: what is extended must have parts, and you allow that
whatever has parts may be destroyed."
"Consider your own conceptions," replied Imlac, "and the difficulty
will be less. You will find substance without extension. An ideal
form is no less real than material bulk; yet an ideal form has no
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