more from John Locke

Single Idea 12501

[catalogued under 15. Nature of Minds / C. Capacities of Minds / 4. Objectification]

Full Idea

There are no things so remote, nor so contrary, which the mind cannot, by its art of composition, bring into one idea, as is visible in that signified by the name 'Universe'.

Gist of Idea

The mind can make a unity out of anything, no matter how diverse

Source

John Locke (Essay Conc Human Understanding (2nd Ed) [1694], 2.24.03)

Book Reference

Locke,John: 'Essay Concerning Human Understanding', ed/tr. Nidditch,P.H. [OUP 1979], p.318


A Reaction

This encourages ideas like unrestricted mereological composition, and the existence of the trout-turkey, but Locke is only saying that we can think of things that way. We can still strongly resist bizarre unities, and look only for natural ones, or none.