An Essay Concerning Human UnderstandingJohn Locke's classic work An Essay Concerning Human Understanding laid the foundation of British empiricism and remains of enduring interest today. Rejecting doctrines of innate principles and ideas, Locke shows how all our ideas, even the most abstract and complex, are grounded in human experience--attained by sensation of external things or reflection upon our mental activities. A thorough examination of the communication of ideas through language and the convention of taking words as signs of ideas paves the way for his penetrating critique of the limitations of ideas and the extent of our knowledge of ourselves, the world, God and morals. This abridgement, based on P.H. Nidditch's acclaimed critical edition, retains in full all key passages, thus enabling Locke's arguments to be more clearly followed. The new introduction by Pauline Phemister provides valuable background on Locke's essay, illuminating its arguments and conclusions. The book also includes a chronological table of significant events, select bibliography, succinct explanatory notes, and an index--all of which supply additional historical information and aids to navigating the text. About the Series: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the broadest spectrum of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, voluminous notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more. |
Contents
Introduction | vii |
Note on the Text | xlii |
A Chronology of John Locke | lii |
Copyright | |
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abstract Ideas Actions Agreement or Disagreement annexed Aqua Regia Assent Bishop of Worcester Body capable Certainty clear and distinct co-exist Colour complex Idea conceive concerning connexion consciousness consider Demonstration depend determined Discourse discover distinct Ideas distinguish doubt Duration Edward Stillingfleet Enquiry Essay eternal evident Extension Faculties farther Figure Gold Happiness hath Ideas of Substances Identity immaterial infinite innate Ideas innate Principles intuitive intuitive Knowledge John Locke Knowledge Language Leibniz Liberty Locke Locke's Lordship Matter Maxims Mind mixed Modes moral Motion Names Nature never nominal Essence Number Objects observe Operations Pain Particles particular perceive Perception personal Identity Philosophy Pleasure Power primary Qualities produce Propositions real Essence Reason Reflection Relation Robert Boyle Secondly Sensation Senses shew signification simple Ideas Solidity sort Soul Space Species specifick Spirit stand supposed Syllogism Terms thing Thoughts true Truth Understanding uneasiness universal universal Propositions whereby wherein whereof whilst Words