Single Idea 12545

[catalogued under 26. Natural Theory / D. Laws of Nature / 8. Scientific Essentialism / d. Knowing essences]

Full Idea

Other spirits, who see and know the nature and inward constitution of things, how much must they exceed us in knowledge?

Gist of Idea

Other spirits may exceed us in knowledge, by knowing the inward constitution of things

Source

John Locke (Essay Conc Human Understanding (2nd Ed) [1694], 4.03.06)

Book Reference

Locke,John: 'Essay Concerning Human Understanding', ed/tr. Nidditch,P.H. [OUP 1979], p.543


A Reaction

I take it that Locke was describing his own posterity, without realising it. It seems to me that modern physics has reached a place which Locke firmly pronounced impossible for human beings, and it has revealed many 'inward constitutions'.