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The merit of Locke 's 'Essay Concerning Human…

“The merit of Locke 's 'Essay Concerning Human Understanding' is its adequacy, and not its consistency. . . He should have widened the title of his book into 'An Essay Concerning Experience.” quote by Alfred North Whitehead
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““The merit of Locke 's 'Essay Concerning Human Understanding' is its adequacy, and not its consistency. . . He should have widened the title of his book into 'An Essay Concerning Experience.””

Alfred North Whitehead

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Locke's work is valuable for its thorough coverage of human experience, even if it lacks logical consistency.

In simple terms: The book is strong in detail but weak in logical harmony.

Key Takeaway

Value depth over perfect consistency.

Themes

philosophy epistemology human understanding

Mood

thoughtful analytical

Type

philosophical academic

When to use this quote

  • academic research
  • teaching
  • writing
  • policy making

Key Concepts

empiricism critical analysis intellectual humility

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does breadth affect credibility?
  • When is inconsistency acceptable?
A Different Perspective

Depth may obscure contradictions that need resolution.

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