Primary and Secondary Qualities

Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference paperChapterpeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

John Locke had a surprisingly robust and coherent conception of primary qualities. II.viii of the Essay contains Locke's most sustained thought about primary and secondary qualities that are considered in this chapter. The chapter presents a fairly straightforward reading of what Locke says about the distinction in II.viii, one that, in its general outlines, represents a sympathetic understanding of Locke's discussion. It then considers a few of the ways in which interpreting Locke on primary and secondary qualities has proven more complicated. The chapter also talks about the Berkeleyan interpretation of Locke, the understanding of Locke's resemblance thesis, and Locke's views of qualities and their relationship to powers. The chapter presents a discussion on the context and location of Locke's discussion, and then turns to the apparent structure of II.viii itself.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationA Companion to Locke
EditorsMatthew Stuart
Place of PublicationJapan
PublisherWiley-Blackwell
Chapter10
Pages193-211
Number of pages19
ISBN (Electronic)9781118328705
ISBN (Print)9781405178150
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 21 Oct 2015
Externally publishedYes

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Primary and Secondary Qualities'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this