Single Idea 15974

[catalogued under 8. Modes of Existence / C. Powers and Dispositions / 3. Powers as Derived]

Full Idea

In substances the most frequent [ideas] are of powers; v.g. 'a man is white' signifies that the thing that has the essence of a man has also in it the essence of whiteness, which is nothing but the power to produce the idea of whiteness in one with eyes.

Gist of Idea

The essence of whiteness in a man is nothing but the power to produce the idea of whiteness

Source

John Locke (Essay Conc Human Understanding (2nd Ed) [1694], 3.08.01)

Book Reference

Locke,John: 'Essay Concerning Human Understanding', ed/tr. Nidditch,P.H. [OUP 1979], p.474


A Reaction

Alexander cites this to support his claim that the powers are the same as the textures, but the quotation seems neutral about what actually constitutes the powers, and Idea 15971, seems to separate powers from textures.

Related Ideas

Idea 15971 Secondary qualities are powers of complex primary qualities to produce sensations in us [Locke]

Idea 15973 In my view Locke's 'textures' are groups of corpuscles which are powers (rather than 'having' powers) [Locke, by Alexander,P]

Idea 15976 What is the texture - the real essence - which makes substances behave in distinct ways? [Locke]