PHIL 534 - A1 - What does a word signify, according to Locke? What is a general term, and how PDF

Preview

Summary

What does a word signify, according to Locke?
What is a general term, and how do general terms acquire their signification?
...

Description

What does a word signify, according to Locke? Words signifying ideas that are in the mind of the speaker, even when we in our thoughts give words a secret reference to two other things. According to Locke, people tend to suppose their words represent the same in the minds of other people that they interact with. That is why we communicate with others; otherwise, if e were not sure if other people understand what we are saying, we must assume they have the same meaning for the words we are saying. In this way, privative words cannot signify ideas, because no one would understand, making it impossible further communication or understanding. What is a general term, and how do general terms acquire their signification? It is impossible that every particular thing should have a different and special name, because it is beyond our capacity to organize and retain distinct ideas of all the particular things we meet with. Even if it were possible, it would be useless. We would learn names of specific things in vain because it would not help us communicate our thoughts. Also, knowing the name of every particular thing would not improve our knowledge. With all that in mind, general terms were created. As Locke states, “... general and universal belong not to the real existence of things; but are the inventions and creatures of the understanding, made by it for its use, and concern only signs, whether words or ideas.” (page 6). He also supposes that because word signifies idea, every general term is an abstract idea, that relates to any particular things in our mind. Moreover, essences are abstract ideas, and abstract ideas might differ from individual to individual. If it can change from person to person, then there is a problem over the applicability of the general terms. General does not belong to the real existence of things because it is a mere invention of the understanding, created to be used....