Single Idea 12551

[catalogued under 15. Nature of Minds / A. Nature of Mind / 4. Other Minds / c. Knowing other minds]

Full Idea

That there are minds and thinking beings in other men as well as himself, every man has a reason, from their words and actions, to be satisfied.

Gist of Idea

We are satisfied that other men have minds, from their words and actions

Source

John Locke (Essay Conc Human Understanding (2nd Ed) [1694], 4.03.27)

Book Reference

Locke,John: 'Essay Concerning Human Understanding', ed/tr. Nidditch,P.H. [OUP 1979], p.558


A Reaction

Locke is aware of the question of other minds, but is rather easily fobbed off with an answer. He hadn't thought enough about good robots, for all his imagination, and Descartes' mention of them.