Single Idea 3934

[catalogued under 12. Knowledge Sources / B. Perception / 2. Qualities in Perception / e. Primary/secondary critique]

Full Idea

A mite must be supposed to see his own foot as a body of some considerable dimension, though they appear to you scarcely discernible.

Clarification

A mite is a small insect

Gist of Idea

A mite would see its own foot as large, though we would see it as tiny

Source

George Berkeley (Three Dialogues of Hylas and Philonous [1713], I p.170)

Book Reference

Berkeley,George: 'The Principles of Human Knowledge etc.', ed/tr. Warnock,G.J. [Fontana 1962], p.170


A Reaction

Berkeley is confused. Hot is secondary, but temperature is primary. Bigness is secondary, size primay. Midgets and tall people don't disagree over the size of a table.