Single Idea 7049

[catalogued under 12. Knowledge Sources / B. Perception / 2. Qualities in Perception / c. Primary qualities]

Full Idea

Readers of Locke have been wrong to imagine that primary qualities are not themselves powers.

Clarification

'Powers' initiate causal sequences

Gist of Idea

In Locke, the primary qualities are also powers

Source

report of John Locke (Essay Conc Human Understanding (2nd Ed) [1694], 2.08.15) by John Heil - From an Ontological Point of View 17.2

Book Reference

Heil,John: 'From an Ontological Point of View' [OUP 2005], p.197


A Reaction

This is part of the move to connect Locke with modern essentialism about natural laws. If a disposition is a power, then clearly being hard or square will affect the dispositions, and hence be a power. Secondary qualities result from powers.