more from René Descartes

Single Idea 6490

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

Full Idea

Descartes denies any similarity between the physical world and ideas, as matter possesses only geometrical properties; Locke allows more primary qualities, but follows Boyle and the atomists in treating secondary qualities as creations of sense.

Gist of Idea

For Descartes, objects have one primary quality, which is geometrical

Source

report of René Descartes (Meditations [1641]) by Howard Robinson - Perception 1.5

Book Reference

Robinson,Howard: 'Perception' [Routledge 2001], p.15


A Reaction

The interesting point to note here is that Descartes' geometrical view of objects (they are defined purely by 'extension') is the view that they have one minimal primary quality. I prefer Locke's view, of which the history (given here) is interesting.