Single Idea 12559

[catalogued under 9. Objects / C. Structure of Objects / 7. Substratum]

Full Idea

The complex ideas that our names of the species of substances properly stand for are collections of qualities, as have been observed to co-exist in an unknown substratum which we call 'substance'.

Gist of Idea

Complex ideas are collections of qualities we attach to an unknown substratum

Source

John Locke (Essay Conc Human Understanding (2nd Ed) [1694], 4.06.07)

Book Reference

Locke,John: 'Essay Concerning Human Understanding', ed/tr. Nidditch,P.H. [OUP 1979], p.582


A Reaction

Locke refers to a substratum, but this is not actually a 'bare' substratum, as he believes in real essences (see other quotations), but believes we have absolutely no chance of knowing them.