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Single Idea 6711

[from 'The Principles of Human Knowledge' by George Berkeley, in 15. Nature of Minds / C. Capacities of Minds / 3. Abstraction by mind ]

Full Idea

We are told that the mind being able to consider each quality of things singly, or abstracted from those other qualities with which it is united, does by that means frame to itself abstract ideas.

Gist of Idea

The mind creates abstract ideas by considering qualities separated from their objects

Source

George Berkeley (The Principles of Human Knowledge [1710], Intro §7)

Book Reference

Berkeley,George: 'The Principles of Human Knowledge etc.', ed/tr. Warnock,G.J. [Fontana 1962], p.47


A Reaction

A helpful explanation of 'abstract' ideas. Berkeley gives colour and movement as examples. Fodor suggests that abstraction is the key strategy in empiricist epistemology. The difficulty is to decide whether the qualities are natural or conventional.