An Essay Concerning Human Understanding
by John Locke · An Essay Concerning Humane Understanding
Assigned by 3 of the 9 reading lists, catalogue entry only
- Written
- 1689 (dated 1690)
- Form
- Treatise
- Language
- English
- Length
- Long · 720 pp300 to 700 pages
- Difficulty
- Demanding3 of 5 for a first-year reader
We recommendAn Essay Concerning Human UnderstandingOxford University Press, 1979Peter Nidditch's critical text is the scholarly standard; the Penguin abridgement by Roger Woolhouse is a good classroom substitute.
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Locke's attempt to map the limits of human knowledge. Book one denies that there are any innate ideas or principles. Book two argues that all ideas come from sensation and reflection and analyses simple and complex ideas, including the ideas of power, substance and personal identity, which Locke locates in continuity of consciousness. Book three treats language and the abuse of words. Book four asks what knowledge is, distinguishes it from probability and faith, and concludes that we know far less with certainty than we suppose.
No reading guide yet
The catalogue entry above is complete: the dates, the form, the themes and every program that assigns An Essay Concerning Human Understanding are verified against each program's published list.
What is missing is the part that takes real work: the summary, the key passages, and a recommended translation. The edition named below is the one most programs assign, so the buy links are useful already.
