Single Idea 15980

[catalogued under 27. Natural Reality / C. Space / 5. Relational Space]

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]