Full Idea
We have no idea of the place of the universe, though we can of all the parts of it.
Gist of Idea
We can locate the parts of the universe, but not the whole thing
Source
John Locke (Essay Conc Human Understanding (2nd Ed) [1694], 2.13.10)
Book Reference
Locke,John: 'Essay Concerning Human Understanding', ed/tr. Nidditch,P.H. [OUP 1979], p.171
A Reaction
Locke evidently agrees with the Leibniz view of space as relative, rather than with Newton's absolute view. …But see Idea 15981.
Related Idea
Idea 15981 Absolute space either provides locations, or exists but lacks 'marks' for locations [Alexander,P]