The Cambridge Companion to Locke’s Essay Concerning Human Understanding

First published in 1689, John Locke’s Essay Concerning Human Understanding is widely recognised as among the greatest works in the history of Western philosophy. The Essay puts forward a systematic empiricist theory of mind, detailing how all ideas and knowledge arise from sense experience. Locke was trained in mechanical philosophy and he crafted his account to be consistent with the best natural science of his day. The Essay was highly influential and its rendering of empiricism would become the standard for subsequent theorists. This Companion volume includes fifteen new essays from leading scholars. Covering the major themes of Locke’s work, they explain his views while situating the ideas in the historical context of Locke’s day and often clarifying their relationship to ongoing work in philosophy. Pitched to advanced undergraduates and graduate students, it is ideal for use in courses on early modern philosophy, British empiricism and John Locke.

• Locke’s Essay is widely regarded as one of the greatest works in the history of philosophy and is of ongoing philosophical interest • The 15 essays by leading Locke scholars cover the themes of ongoing historical and philosophical interest in Locke’s Essay • The volume is suitable for both students and scholars

Introduction Lex Newman; 1. The intellectual setting and aims of the Essay G. A. J. Rogers; 2. Locke’s polemic against nativism Samuel C. Rickless; 3. The taxonomy of ideas in Locke’s Essay Martha Brandt Bolton; 4. Locke’s distinctions between primary and secondary qualities Michael Jacovides; 5. Power in Locke’s Essay Vere Chappell; 6. Locke on substance Edwin McCann; 7. Locke on ideas of identity and diversity Gideon Yaffe; 8. Locke on ideas and representation Thomas M. Lennon; 9. Locke on essences and classification Margaret Atherton; 10. Language, meaning, and mind in Locke’s Essay Michael Losonsky; 11. Locke on knowledge Lex Newman; 12. Locke’s ontology Lisa Downing; 13. The moral epistemology of Locke’s Essay Catherine Wilson; 14. Locke on judgment David Owen; 15. Locke on faith and reason Nicholas Jolley.