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Single Idea 12523

[filed under theme 3. Truth / A. Truth Problems / 5. Truth Bearers ]

Full Idea

The two ideas, of a man and a centaur, supposed to be the ideas of real substances, are the one true and the other false.

Gist of Idea

If they refer to real substances, 'man' is a true idea and 'centaur' a false one

Source

John Locke (Essay Conc Human Understanding (2nd Ed) [1694], 2.32.05)

Book Ref

Locke,John: 'Essay Concerning Human Understanding', ed/tr. Nidditch,P.H. [OUP 1979], p.385


A Reaction

Locke says (Idea 12522) that there is probably a proposition hidden behind this. We might say that 'man' has a reference and 'centaur' does not (strictly). Is successful reference a species of truth? 'Pick out the llama' - child points - 'that's right!'

Related Idea

Idea 12522 It is propositions which are true or false, though it is sometimes said of ideas [Locke]