Answer to Question #237285 in Philosophy for Mike

Question

How can you define John Locke: Cognition through experience; primary and secondary properties of objects?

Answer 1

According to John Locke, we acquire these kinds of concepts by reflecting on the cognitive processes they refer to. I acquire the concept of doubting, for example, by becoming aware of myself engaging in doubt. Acquiring knowledge of our mental processes requires a strong awareness. According to John Locke, there are two kinds of experience, which are observation of external objects that is sensation and observation of the internal operations of the mind. For Locke, primary qualities are those properties of an object that are not related by definition to perceivers. The primary qualities are size, shape, motion, number, and solidity. The other secondary qualities are temperature, smell, taste, and sound.