Toward ‘Perfect Collections of Properties’: Locke on the Constitution of Substantial Sorts

摘要: Summing up the lessons of final book his Essay Concerning Human Understanding, Locke describes two ‘ways to enlarge our Knowledge, as far we are capable.’ One involves cultivation capacity for demonstrative reasoning, other proper framing ideas from which any such reasoning must issue and on mere ‘experimental Knowledge’ (IV .iii.29: 560) is likewise founded. Under latter heading, urged aim not only ‘clear’ ‘distinct’ ideas, but also ‘perfect’ ones. Finally, a laconic insertion in fourth edition specifies how perfection one class be pursued: And if they specific Ideas Substances, should endeavor make them complete can, whereby I mean, that put together many simple Ideas, being constantly observed co-exist, may perfectly determine Species…. (IV.xii.14: 648)