10. Why the genus is ordina- 11. General and universal are 12. Abstract ideas are the es- 13. They are the workmanship CHAP. IV. 11. Simple ideas, why unde. 17. Sixthly, Names of simple 1. They stand for abstract ideas 2. First, The ideas they stand 3. Secondly, made arbitrarily, 5. Evidently arbitrary, in that 6. Instances, murther, incest, 7. But still subservient to the 8. Whereof the intranslatable 9. This shows species to be 12. For the originals of mixed shows them to be the work- 13. Their being made by the 23. Species not distinguished 24. Not by substantial forms. 28. But not so arbitrary as 29. Though very imperfect. mon converse. 31. But make several essences, 34. Instance in cassuaries. 36. Though nature makes the 37. And continues it in the 38. Each abstract idea is an essence. 39. Genera and species are in 40. Species of artificial things. 42. Substances alone have pro- 43. Difficulty to treat of words 44, 45. Instances of mixed modes 48. Their ideas imperfect, and no use. 51. Conclusion. OF HUMAN UNDERSTANDING. BOOK I. CHAP. I. Introduction. useful. 1. SINCE it is the understanding, that An enquiry sets man above the rest of sensible beings, into the unand gives him all the advantage and domi- derstanding, nion, which he has over them; it is cer- pleasant and tainly a subject, even for its nobleness, worth our labour to inquire into. The understanding, like the eye, whilst it makes us see and perceive all other things, takes no notice of itself; and it requires art and pains to set it at a distance, and make it its own object. But, whatever be the difficulties that lie in the way of this inquiry; whatever it be, that keeps us so much in the dark to ourselves; sure I am, that all the light we can let in upon our own minds, all the acquaintance we can make with our own understandings, will not only be very pleasant, but bring us great advantage, in directing our thoughts in the search of other things. §2. This, therefore, being my purpose, Design. to inquire into the original, certainty, and extent of human knowledge; together with the grounds and degrees of belief, opinion, and assent; I shall not at present meddle with the physical consideration of the mind; or trouble myself to examine, wherein its essence consists, or by what motions of our spirits, |