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Single Idea 12812

[from 'Letters to William Molyneux' by John Locke, in 9. Objects / D. Essence of Objects / 13. Nominal Essence ]

Full Idea

This I do say, that there are real constitutions in things from whence simple ideas flow, which we observe combin'd in them. But we distinguish particular substances into sorts or genera not by real essences or constitutions, but by observed simple ideas.

Gist of Idea

Things have real essences, but we categorise them according to the ideas we receive

Source

John Locke (Letters to William Molyneux [1692], 1693.01.20)

Book Reference

'Leibniz: Critical and Interpretive Essays', ed/tr. Hooker,Michael [Manchester 1982], p.179


A Reaction

This is the clearest statement I can find of Locke's position on essences. He is totally committed to their reality, but strongly aware of the empirical constraints which keep us from direct knowledge of them. He would be amazed by modern discoveries.