more from John Locke

Single Idea 12499

[catalogued under 9. Objects / A. Existence of Objects / 1. Physical Objects]

Full Idea

The primary ideas we have peculiar to body are the cohesion of solid, and consequently separable parts, and a power of communicating motion by impulse.

Gist of Idea

Bodies distinctively have cohesion of parts, and power to communicate motion

Source

John Locke (Essay Conc Human Understanding (2nd Ed) [1694], 2.23.17)

Book Reference

Locke,John: 'Essay Concerning Human Understanding', ed/tr. Nidditch,P.H. [OUP 1979], p.306


A Reaction

Defining bodies by motion seems unusual. I would be more inclined to mention inertia and solidity before impulse to move things. Depends on your physics I suppose, and Locke was writing only a year or two after Newton's book.