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| Alphabetical [« »] underfoot 1 underived 1 understand 67 understanding 251 understandings 64 understands 14 understood 87 | Frequency [« »] 258 good 254 duration 253 come 251 understanding 249 my 244 essence 243 does | John Locke An essay concerning human understanding IntraText - Concordances understanding |
Book, Chapter
1 Ded | sure, I should write of the Understanding without having any, if I 2 Read | subject of this treatise—the UNDERSTANDING—who does not know that, 3 Read | the time at least.~For the understanding, like the eye, judging of 4 Read | it admittance into every understanding, or fix it there with a 5 Read | suppose, some service to human understanding; though so few are apt to 6 Quot | AN ESSAY CONCERNING HUMAN UNDERSTANDING~As thou knowest not what 7 Int | INTRODUCTION~1. An Inquiry into the understanding, pleasant and useful. Since 8 Int | useful. Since it is the understanding that sets man above the 9 Int | labour to inquire into. The understanding, like the eye, whilst it 10 Int | and the ways whereby the understanding comes to be furnished with 11 Int | show what knowledge the understanding hath by those ideas; and 12 Int | inquiry into the nature of the understanding, I can discover the powers 13 Int | can find out how far the understanding can extend its view; how 14 Int | this Essay concerning the understanding. For I thought that the 15 Int | this Inquiry into human Understanding. But, before I proceed on 16 Int | whatsoever is the object of the understanding when a man thinks, I have 17 I, I | men, that there are in the understanding certain innate principles; 18 I, I | can be imprinted on the understanding without being perceived, 19 I, I | of innate notions in the understanding, cannot (if he intend thereby 20 I, I | such truths to be in the understanding as it never perceived, and 21 I, I | these words “to be in the understanding” have any propriety, they 22 I, I | understood. So that to be in the understanding, and not to be understood; 23 I, I | and is not in the mind or understanding. If therefore these two 24 I, I | exercise thereof, to make the understanding see what is originally engraven 25 I, I | it, and cannot be in the understanding before it be perceived by 26 I, I | on the operations of the understanding, will find that this ready 27 I, I | abstract ideas, and the understanding of general names, being 28 I, I | were first lodged in the understanding, which, without any teaching, 29 I, I | upon first hearing and understanding the terms, be a certain 30 I, I | assent at first hearing and understanding the terms, that men would 31 I, I | to at first hearing and understanding the terms, must have a place 32 I, I | assent at first hearing and understanding the terms to be a mark of 33 I, I | assent at first hearing and understanding the terms as this general 34 I, I | assent upon hearing and understanding the terms is, I grant, a 35 I, I | observe what passes in the understanding, will certainly find that 36 I, I | assent upon hearing and understanding. For, if that be the certain 37 I, I | assented to by the growing understanding. And as to the usefulness 38 I, I | propositions at first hearing and understanding their terms.” It is fit 39 I, I | assent, when, by being in the understanding, by a natural and original 40 I, I | to at first hearing and understanding the terms must pass for 41 I, I | that the mind is capable of understanding them, or else signifies 42 I, I | nothing. If it be said, the understanding hath an implicit knowledge 43 I, I | say “that they are in the understanding before they are known,”) 44 I, I | principle imprinted on the understanding implicitly, unless it be 45 I, I | that the mind is capable of understanding and assenting firmly to 46 I, I | but a bare explication or understanding of the terms. Under which 47 I, II | impressions of truth on the understanding. I deny not that there are 48 I, II | natural impressions on the understanding are so far from being confirmed 49 I, II | imprinted by nature on the understanding, as the principles of knowledge, 50 I, II | other, that men even of good understanding in other matters, will sooner 51 I, II | and as yet unprejudiced, understanding, (for white paper receives 52 I, II | floating and superficial in his understanding, who hath not some reverenced 53 I, III | it never yet had? Or the understanding draw conclusions from principles 54 I, III | stands for is not in the understanding of children, and a character 55 I, III | impression, any character, on the understanding of men, it is most reasonable 56 I, III | and unknown before to the understanding. Whenever the memory brings 57 I, III | themselves to all men’s understanding; and some sorts of truths 58 I, III | Conclusion. To show how the understanding proceeds herein is the design 59 II, I | I have shown whence the understanding may get all the ideas it 60 II, I | and derived by them to the understanding, I call SENSATION.~4. The 61 II, I | experience furnisheth the understanding with ideas is,—the perception 62 II, I | consider, do furnish the understanding with another set of ideas, 63 II, I | these operations in the understanding. These two, I say, viz. 64 II, I | the other of these. The understanding seems to me not to have 65 II, I | and the mind furnishes the understanding with ideas of its own operations.~ 66 II, I | thoroughly search into his understanding; and then let him tell me, 67 II, I | compounded and enlarged by the understanding, as we shall see hereafter.~ 68 II, I | lasting ideas, till the understanding turns inward upon itself, 69 II, I | conceive that ideas in the understanding are coeval with sensation; 70 II, I | produces some perception in the understanding. It is about these impressions 71 II, I | reception of simple ideas, the understanding is for the most part passive. 72 II, I | passive. In this part the understanding is merely passive; and whether 73 II, I | offered to the mind, the understanding can no more refuse to have, 74 II, II | and reflection. When the understanding is once stored with these 75 II, II | exalted wit, or enlarged understanding, by any quickness or variety 76 II, II | nor can any force of the understanding destroy those that are there. 77 II, II | little world of his own understanding being muchwhat the same 78 II, II | about to fashion in his understanding one simple idea, not received 79 II, II | ways to convey into the understanding the notice of corporeal 80 II, II | cabinet hath of the senses or understanding of a man; such variety and 81 II, III | and be perceived by the understanding.~The most considerable of 82 II, VI | of thinking is called the Understanding, and the power of volition 83 II, VII | furnished with the faculties of understanding and will, would be a very 84 II, VII | that are suggested to the understanding by every object without, 85 II, VII | or idea, suggests to the understanding the idea of unity.~8. Idea 86 II, VIII | doth thereby produce in the understanding a simple idea; which, whatever 87 II, VIII | real positive idea in the understanding, as much as any other whatsoever; 88 II, VIII | derive those ideas. These the understanding, in its view of them, considers 89 II, VIII | the idea, as it is in the understanding, but to the nature of the 90 II, VIII | perfectly, and distinctly in his understanding, and perhaps more distinctly, 91 II, VIII | perception, thought, or understanding, that I call idea; and the 92 II, IX | being taken notice of in the understanding, and so imprinting no idea 93 II, IX | produced, and present in the understanding.~5. Children, though they 94 II, IX | hears with attention and understanding, takes little notice of 95 II, X | have been produced in the understanding by an object affecting the 96 II, X | vanish quite out of the understanding, leaving no more footsteps 97 II, X | offer themselves to the understanding; and very often are roused 98 II, X | notice of before, by the understanding.~8. Two defects in the memory, 99 II, XI | exercise, or attention in the understanding; or hastiness and precipitancy, 100 II, XI | the prerogative of human understanding, when it has sufficiently 101 II, XI | others they came there, the understanding lays up (with names commonly 102 II, XI | very sober, and of a right understanding in all other things, may 103 II, XI | which it makes use of in understanding; and though they are exercised 104 II, XI | things are brought into the understanding. If other men have either 105 II, XI | find of knowledge to the understanding. These alone, as far as 106 II, XI | room. For, methinks, the understanding is not much unlike a closet 107 II, XI | would very much resemble the understanding of a man, in reference to 108 II, XI | concerning the means whereby the understanding comes to have and retain 109 II, XII | are yet only such as the understanding frames to itself, by repeating 110 II, XIV | succeed one another in his understanding, as long as he is awake. 111 II, XIV | take their turns in his understanding; or else to direct the sort, 112 II, XV | of matter. Solomon, whose understanding was filled and enlarged 113 II, XV | the capacity of his own understanding, who persuades himself that 114 II, XVII | picture, and positive in the understanding: but infinite is still greater. 115 II, XVII | to them their weakness of understanding in this point, and acknowledge 116 II, XIX | entrance of any idea into the understanding by the senses. The same 117 II, XIX | reflection or regard of the understanding, it is that which the French 118 II, XIX | choice or conduct of the understanding at all: and whether that 119 II, XIX | ideas that succeed in the understanding, without directing and pursuing 120 II, XXI | external sensation.~5. Will and understanding two powers in mind or spirit. 121 II, XXI | is that which we call the Understanding. Perception, which we make 122 II, XXI | which we make the act of the understanding, is of three sorts:—1. The 123 II, XXI | these are attributed to the understanding, or perceptive power, though 124 II, XXI | of speaking is, that the understanding and will are two faculties 125 II, XXI | performed those actions of understanding and volition. For when we 126 II, XXI | follows the dictates of the understanding, &c.,—though these and the 127 II, XXI | this clear.~9. Supposes understanding and will. A tennis-ball, 128 II, XXI | as we make the will and understanding to be faculties, by which 129 II, XXI | will chooses, or that the understanding conceives; or, as is usual, 130 II, XXI | that the will directs the understanding, or the understanding obeys 131 II, XXI | the understanding, or the understanding obeys or obeys not the will: 132 II, XXI | the will operates on the understanding, or the understanding on 133 II, XXI | the understanding, or the understanding on the will.~19. Powers 134 II, XXI | intellectual faculty, or the understanding, understood; and the elective 135 II, XXI | something able to move, and understanding by something able to understand. 136 II, XXI | contemplation greater or less to the understanding, which is the state of all 137 II, XXI | determined, never lets the understanding lay by the object, but all 138 II, XXI | which is judged good by his understanding, yet it excuses him not; 139 II, XXI | check this precipitancy, our understanding and reason were given us, 140 II, XXI | thereupon. Without liberty, the understanding would be to no purpose: 141 II, XXI | no purpose: and without understanding, liberty (if it could be) 142 II, XXI | not making that use of his understanding he should. The rewards and 143 II, XXI | thought and judgment of the understanding, as well as to the decree 144 II, XXI | after the judgment of the understanding, and before the determination 145 II, XXI | follows the judgment of the understanding: and to place liberty in 146 II, XXI | thought and judgment of the understanding, seems to me to place liberty 147 II, XXI | after the judgment of the understanding, yea, even after the determination 148 II, XXII | they were consistent in the understanding, without considering whether 149 II, XXII | are put together in the understanding. For the man who first framed 150 II, XXIII | ourselves, as thinking, understanding, willing, knowing, and power 151 II, XXIII | extension of body, without understanding wherein consists the union 152 II, XXIII | his own, or another man’s understanding.~26. The cause of coherence 153 II, XXV | comparison one with another. The understanding, in the consideration of 154 II, XXVII | founded, and of use to the understanding.~Identity of modes and relations. 155 II, XXXI | does not conceive that any understanding hath, or can have, a more 156 II, XXXIII| any time comes into the understanding, but its associate appears 157 II, XXXIII| habits of thinking in the understanding, as well as of determining 158 II, XXXIII| one another orderly in his understanding, without any care or attention, 159 II, XXXIII| mind, and terminate in the understanding or passions, have been much 160 II, XXXIII| those relating purely to the understanding, have, as I suspect, been 161 II, XXXIII| proceed to show, what use the understanding makes of them, and what 162 III, II | precisely the same to which the understanding men of that country apply 163 III, III | place in the most capacious understanding. If it be looked on as an 164 III, III | universal are creatures of the understanding, and belong not to the real 165 III, III | inventions and creatures of the understanding, made by it for its own 166 III, III | they are put into, by the understanding, of signifying or representing 167 III, III | is the workmanship of the understanding that abstracts and makes 168 III, III | are the workmanship of the understanding, but have their foundation 169 III, III | is the workmanship of the understanding, taking occasion, from the 170 III, III | are the workmanship of the understanding, who considers that at least 171 III, III | simple ideas, which the understanding put together, and then, 172 III, IV | a trumpet. Just such an understanding of the name of any other 173 III, V | stand for are made by the understanding. The first particularity 174 III, V | mixed modes, are made by the understanding, wherein they differ from 175 III, V | had no being but in the understanding, as well as now, that they 176 III, V | are the creatures of the understanding, where they have a being 177 III, V | are the workmanship of the understanding. And there is nothing more 178 III, V | else but an artifice of the understanding, for the easier signifying 179 III, V | mixed modes are “made by the understanding”; yet, I think, it can by 180 III, V | he the workmanship of the understanding. Conformable also to what 181 III, V | are the creatures of the understanding rather than the works of 182 III, V | right, appertaining to the understanding.~13. Their being made by 183 III, V | Their being made by the understanding without patterns, shows 184 III, V | being the workmanship of the understanding, pursuing only its own ends, 185 III, VI | leave neither sense, nor understanding, no, nor life. Other creatures 186 III, VI | confound the most enlarged understanding. Though the familiar use 187 III, VI | is plain, depends on the understanding of man, making this or that 188 III, VI | a grown man, with a good understanding, but in a strange country, 189 III, VIII | get to be current amongst understanding men. Indeed, humanitas was 190 III, IX | combination only from the understanding which unites them under 191 III, IX | began this Discourse of the Understanding, and a good while after, 192 III, IX | be, very fallible in the understanding of it. Nor is it to be wondered, 193 III, X | pretended to inform the understanding. For we see that other well-meaning 194 III, X | in the weakness of human understanding, serves so well to palliate 195 III, X | things are apt to mislead the understanding, the attentive reading of 196 III, X | applies them, however his own understanding may be filled with truth 197 III, X | of true knowledge in his understanding, and hath instead thereof 198 III, XI | shall accompany only a good understanding; or that men’s talking much 199 III, XI | convincing or bettering a man’s understanding. For if the idea be not 200 IV, II | demonstration; it being shown to the understanding, and the mind made to see 201 IV, III | unintelligible to an unbiassed understanding. This serves not only to 202 IV, III | fear the weakness of human understanding is scarce able to substitute 203 IV, III | the idea of ourselves, as understanding, rational creatures, being 204 IV, III | and irreconcilable to the understanding as a lie. For though many 205 IV, IV | the want of reason and understanding, not? This is to bring all 206 IV, VI | convey certainty to the understanding. Of the truth of general 207 IV, VII | when any one is in his understanding, and what it is; and that 208 IV, VII | whence, by slow degrees, the understanding proceeds to some few general 209 IV, VII | For when a man has in his understanding the ideas of one and of 210 IV, VII | and improvement of human understanding in the enlarging of knowledge, 211 IV, VII | less self-evident to the understanding than the general maxims 212 IV, VII | use for enlightening the understanding: and it will not be found 213 IV, VII | is enough to satisfy the understanding. But this, I say, is more 214 IV, VII | and the same, but in the understanding as distinct as the ideas 215 IV, VII | of ideas together in his understanding makes up the single complex 216 IV, VIII | they add no light to our understanding; bring no increase to our 217 IV, VIII | monkey’s hunger, or a man’s understanding, and they would have improved 218 IV, VIII | contained all knowledge, and the understanding were led into all truth 219 IV, VIII | for the enlightening the understanding in any part of knowledge, 220 IV, VIII | propositions, in order to give the understanding any new light, or inlet 221 IV, VIII | one by another, that the understanding may see the agreement or 222 IV, IX | existence but what it has in the understanding,) gives us no knowledge 223 IV, X | eternal being was void of all understanding; I reply, that then it was 224 IV, X | think that he has a mind and understanding in him, but yet in all the 225 IV, X | with one who is so void of understanding as to own it. If, therefore, 226 IV, XI | formed, and antecedent to the understanding that at any time makes them; 227 IV, XII | praecognita from whence the understanding was to take its rise, and 228 IV, XIII | Just thus is it with our understanding: all that is voluntary in 229 IV, XIV | want something else. The understanding faculties being given to 230 IV, XV | infallibly determines the understanding and produces certain knowledge, 231 IV, XVI | to an authority which the understanding of man acknowledges not. 232 IV, XVI | but if we will compare the understanding and abilities of some men 233 IV, XVII | methods of syllogizing: the understanding is not taught to reason 234 IV, XVII | instruct and inform the understanding. And hence it is that men, 235 IV, XVII | taking away any helps to the understanding in the attainment of knowledge. 236 IV, XVII | they are proposed to his understanding. In the discovery of and 237 IV, XVIII | clear evidence of his own understanding. For, since no evidence 238 IV, XIX | dealing with others, whose understanding is not accustomed to them 239 IV, XIX | be able to enlighten the understanding by a ray darted into the 240 IV, XIX | of any other light in the understanding is to put ourselves in the 241 IV, XX | enslaved, who is so in his understanding.~In the foregoing instances 242 IV, XX | strong bias put into his understanding, which will unavoidably 243 IV, XX | dawning of any notions in his understanding, hath had this principle 244 IV, XX | their practices be, who, understanding nothing but the French, 245 IV, XX | it is the nature of the understanding constantly to close with 246 IV, XX | atoms, not guided by an understanding agent, should frequently 247 IV, XXI | within the compass of human understanding, being either, First, the 248 IV, XXI | mind makes use of for the understanding of things, or conveying 249 IV, XXI | besides itself, present to the understanding, it is necessary that something 250 IV, XXI | division of the objects of our understanding. This seems to me the first 251 IV, XXI | division of the objects of our understanding. For a man can employ his