Single Idea 12537

[catalogued under 9. Objects / D. Essence of Objects / 13. Nominal Essence]

Full Idea

To make any nominal essence, it is necessary that the ideas whereof it consists have such an union as to make but one idea, how compounded soever.

Gist of Idea

To be a nominal essence, a complex idea must exhibit unity

Source

John Locke (Essay Conc Human Understanding (2nd Ed) [1694], 3.06.28)

Book Reference

Locke,John: 'Essay Concerning Human Understanding', ed/tr. Nidditch,P.H. [OUP 1979], p.455


A Reaction

This distinguishes nominal essences from his other 'mixed modes', which are just collocations of ideas, but not necessarily exhibiting unity.