"心が単純なアイデアに力を発揮する行為は、主に次の三つです。1. 複数の単純なアイデアを組み合わせて、一つの複合的なアイデアにすることです。このようにしてすべての複雑なアイデアが作られます。2. 次に、二つのアイデア、単純なものでも複雑なものでも、一緒にし、同時にそれらを観察することによって、結合せずに、それらの関係のすべてのアイデアを得ます。3. 三つ目は、現実の存在においてそれに伴う他のすべてのアイデアからそれらを分離することです。これは抽象と呼ばれ、このようにしてすべての一般的なアイデアが作られます。"
— John Locke
Simplified Meaning:
Our minds can do three main things with ideas. First, we can put together simple ideas to create more detailed and complex ones. Imagine how we combine simple blocks to build a castle. Second, we can compare two ideas side by side without mixing them. This helps us understand how they are related. For instance, if you look at an apple and an orange next to each other, you can see both similarities and differences without merging them into one fruit. Third, we can focus on an idea by removing details that aren't important at the moment, allowing us to think in general terms. It's like when you think of a 'dog' in general, not a specific dog you know, but the idea of any dog. Together, these abilities help us better understand and create new thoughts, solve problems, and learn about the world around us. Knowing how to use these mental tools can make our thinking clearer and more flexible in different situations.