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Full Idea
Nothing beyond qualities is perceived by the senses. …When we refer to the substance in which the qualities inhere, we do this through induction, by which we reason that some subject lies under the quality.
Gist of Idea
We observe qualities, and use 'induction' to refer to the substances lying under them
Source
Pierre Gassendi (Syntagma [1658], II.1.6.1), quoted by Robert Pasnau - Metaphysical Themes 1274-1671 07.1
Book Ref
Pasnau,Robert: 'Metaphysical Themes 1274-1671' [OUP 2011], p.116
A Reaction
He talks of 'induction' (in an older usage), but he seems to mean abduction, since he never makes any observations of the substances being proposed.
3400 | Things must have parts to intermingle [Gassendi] |
16668 | Modes of things exist in some way, without being full-blown substances [Gassendi] |
16593 | Atoms are not points, but hard indivisible things, which no force in nature can divide [Gassendi] |
16729 | How do mere atoms produce qualities like colour, flavour and odour? [Gassendi] |
16730 | If matter is entirely atoms, anything else we notice in it can only be modes [Gassendi] |
16619 | We observe qualities, and use 'induction' to refer to the substances lying under them [Gassendi] |