Single Idea 12491

[catalogued under 2. Reason / F. Fallacies / 8. Category Mistake / a. Category mistakes]

Full Idea

To ask whether man's will be free is as improper as to ask whether sleep be swift, or virtue square.

Gist of Idea

Asking whether man's will is free is liking asking if sleep is fast or virtue is square

Source

John Locke (Essay Conc Human Understanding (2nd Ed) [1694], 2.21.14)

Book Reference

Locke,John: 'Essay Concerning Human Understanding', ed/tr. Nidditch,P.H. [OUP 1979], p.240


A Reaction

Beautiful illustrations of category mistakes, long before the actual phrase was coined.