Single Idea 12479

[catalogued under 12. Knowledge Sources / B. Perception / 2. Qualities in Perception / c. Primary qualities]

Full Idea

The original or 'primary' qualities of body produce simple ideas in us, viz. solidity, extension, figure, motion or rest, and number.

Gist of Idea

Primary qualities produce simple ideas, such as solidity, extension, motion and number

Source

John Locke (Essay Conc Human Understanding (2nd Ed) [1694], 2.08.09)

Book Reference

Locke,John: 'Essay Concerning Human Understanding', ed/tr. Nidditch,P.H. [OUP 1979], p.135


A Reaction

The tricky word here is 'simple', which clearly won't be enough on its own to distinguish primary from secondary qualities. Notice that there is a germ of an empirical theory of arithmetic in the word 'number'.