more from John Locke

Single Idea 15979

[catalogued under 12. Knowledge Sources / B. Perception / 2. Qualities in Perception / d. Secondary qualities]

Full Idea

Secondary qualities, as has been shown, are nothing but bare powers.

Gist of Idea

Secondary qualities are simply the bare powers of an object

Source

John Locke (Essay Conc Human Understanding (2nd Ed) [1694], 2.23.08)

Book Reference

Locke,John: 'Essay Concerning Human Understanding', ed/tr. Nidditch,P.H. [OUP 1979], p.300


A Reaction

I'm not sure here whether 'bare' means 'simple' or 'unconcealed' - probably the latter. This supports Alexander's claim that the secondary qualities are identical to the 'textures' of the object. They certainly aren't in the mind.

Related Idea

Idea 15971 Secondary qualities are powers of complex primary qualities to produce sensations in us [Locke]