Single Idea 15967

[catalogued under 18. Thought / C. Content / 2. Ideas]

Full Idea

Idea being that term which serves best to stand for the object of understanding when a man thinks, I use it to express what is meant by Phantasm, Notion, Species, or whatever it is, which the Mind can be employ'd about in thinking.

Gist of Idea

The word 'idea' covers thinking best, for imaginings, concepts, and basic experiences

Source

John Locke (Essay Conc Human Understanding (2nd Ed) [1694], 1.01.08), quoted by Peter Alexander - Ideas, Qualities and Corpuscles 04.1

Book Reference

Alexander,Peter: 'Ideas, Qualities and Corpuscles' [CUP 1985], p.92


A Reaction

Compare my earlier Idea 6486, which caricatures Locke. Alexanders says Phantasms are uncaused mental images, Notions are concepts, and Species is an appearance of an object or quality to the mind. Locke deliberately covered them all.

Related Idea

Idea 6486 Ideas are the objects of understanding when we think [Locke]