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An essay concerning human understanding
It has been many years since I pondered and repondered over this volume. Locke is an important figure in the history of Western Philosophy. He is really the founding figure of the great empirical tradition which would go through Hume all the way up to the various analytical philosophies of the twentieth century.He is also a major political thinker whose importance for the great founders of America cannot be overestimated.Locke talks about the mind as tabula rasa as a blank slate which experience writes upon, and reflection compounds into ' complex ideas' The simple ideas come through experience. This total rejection of inherent ideas, and inherent structures of the mind is something which a lot of modern linguistic theory rejects.As to the way we apprehend experience immediately I think here too Locke is in some way contradicted by modern psychological theory which would speak in some sense about our structuring that experience through our own participation in perception. In other words Locke's model of perception is I believe a far too ' passive one'. I cannot however judge, as I do not know enough about the subject whether or not Lockean categories in these areas of perception, reflection and in general description of the way we experience and know the world have any force today.Locke's political thinking is incorporated in the Declaration of Independence with its formulation of rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. As strong opponent of tyrannical authority in the political world Locke's thinking made a real impact on the world. He is one of those thinkers at the foundation of modern democratic thought.The book is not easy reading. I can remember going back over it again and again to try and understand the difference between primary and secondary qualities- I can remember trying to understand how much of what Locke says has validity and is ' really the truth'.Parenthetically I think of how as a young person knowing the truth finding the truth was such a supreme value for me. And how I thus felt it so important to know whether Locke was ' right' or not. Time and experience perhaps have made me worse. And I see this work as yet one more effort to interpret and understand Reality . This is as if to say I at this age anyway seem to accept the idea that I myself will not know and find the truth in regard to everything, including the philosophy of Locke.Again. This is one of the major works of Western philosophy and it should be read and studied by one who cares to know the Western philosophical tradition.
An essay concerning human understanding
The book is great, it's exactly what I need for a class I'm taking on Modern Philosophy. It appears to be an unabridged edition of Locke's Essay Concerning Human Understanding. It's clear and understandable as printed. The only compaint I have is that simply opening this book to read it split the cover away from the pages. The book is effectively coming unravelled. I have other books from the Prometheus lineup which have no such problem, however, they are all relatively short books of less than 150 pages. This one is over 600 pages and from what I can tell it appears that the binding just isn't up to task for the amount of pages in the book. I'm not sure if this is just a fluke or not. But to Amazon's credit they refunded me the price of the book. I'm very glad I ordered an Amazon.com product due to the excellent customer service I received and feel very safe in future purchases from Amazon.
An essay concerning human understanding
The highest compliment I can pay this book is the fact that throughout my entire reading I found myself repeating (in my mind), "I already knew that!" This is evidence of how influential Locke's philosophy has been on our present-day understanding of human nature. Also, aesthetically, the book was enjoyable because of its "courtly" English.
An essay concerning human understanding
The book looks like new and has good notes. And it is very cheap. I think it is better than the new one.
An essay concerning human understanding
This book is a required read for most philosophy programs across the country for both undergraduate and graduate studies. If you're not in a college class where you can find other minds to chew this with I would recommend reading journal articles or other writings from philosophers that responded in some way to the premise this author is putting forth.
An essay concerning human understanding
The boos is a great synthesis of Locke`s book. Not just as a synthesis, it is still complete and the author wrote it in more understandable words than the pridinal, so it`s easier to read and understand Locke`s ideas, which are aplicable to nowadays