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Single Idea 12476

[from 'Essay Conc Human Understanding (2nd Ed)' by John Locke, in 15. Nature of Minds / C. Capacities of Minds / 4. Objectification ]

Full Idea

Existence and unity are two other ideas that are suggested to the understanding, by every object without, and every idea within. ..And whatever we can consider as one thing, whether a real being, or idea, suggests to the understanding the idea of unity.

Gist of Idea

Every external object or internal idea suggests to us the idea of unity

Source

John Locke (Essay Conc Human Understanding (2nd Ed) [1694], 2.07.07)

Book Reference

Locke,John: 'Essay Concerning Human Understanding', ed/tr. Nidditch,P.H. [OUP 1979], p.131


A Reaction

It seems to me blatantly obvious that there is a close tie between this fact of metaphysics or psychology (or both) and the notion of a 'unit' in mathematics. Without this faculty of 'identifying' things, there would be no numbers or counting.