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Single Idea 15982

[from 'Essay Conc Human Understanding (2nd Ed)' by John Locke, in 12. Knowledge Sources / B. Perception / 2. Qualities in Perception / c. Primary qualities ]

Full Idea

In Locke, the needs of scientific explanation are what determine which qualities are to be taken as primary.

Gist of Idea

Qualities are named as primary if they are needed for scientific explanation

Source

report of John Locke (Essay Conc Human Understanding (2nd Ed) [1694]) by Peter Alexander - Ideas, Qualities and Corpuscles 6

Book Reference

Alexander,Peter: 'Ideas, Qualities and Corpuscles' [CUP 1985], p.142


A Reaction

Not a sharp distinction, but interesting. It must concern 'objective' explanations to cut out the secondary qualities.