back to ideas for this text


Single Idea 12483

[from 'Essay Conc Human Understanding (2nd Ed)' by John Locke, in 15. Nature of Minds / A. Nature of Mind / 7. Animal Minds ]

Full Idea

The having of general ideas is that which puts a perfect distinction betwixt man and brutes.

Gist of Idea

Unlike humans, animals cannot entertain general ideas

Source

John Locke (Essay Conc Human Understanding (2nd Ed) [1694], 2.11.10)

Book Reference

Locke,John: 'Essay Concerning Human Understanding', ed/tr. Nidditch,P.H. [OUP 1979], p.159


A Reaction

Animals were massively underestimated before the twentieth century. Animals must recognise types of things, as well as individual things. They must register that an individual animal is a dangerous or tasty species. Locke grants them 'some reason'.