Single Idea 12554

[catalogued under 7. Existence / A. Nature of Existence / 6. Criterion for Existence]

Full Idea

The existence of things is to be known only from experience.

Gist of Idea

Existences can only be known by experience

Source

John Locke (Essay Conc Human Understanding (2nd Ed) [1694], 4.03.31)

Book Reference

Locke,John: 'Essay Concerning Human Understanding', ed/tr. Nidditch,P.H. [OUP 1979], p.562


A Reaction

This is the clearest statement you could wish for of the standard empiricist view of such things. Locke might take a broad view of experience, since he unshakably infers the existence of God from merely thinking about being.