BOOK I PART I
SECTIONVII. OFABSTRACTIDEAS
A very material question has been started
concerningabstractorgeneralideas,whether they
be general or particular in the mind’s conception of
them. A great philosopher (Dr. Berkeley.) has
disputed the received opinion in this particu-
lar, and has asserted, that all general ideas are
nothing but particular ones, annexed to a cer-
tain term, which gives them a more extensive
signification, and makes them recall upon oc-
casion other individuals, which are similar to
them. As I look upon this to be one of the great-
est and most valuable discoveries that has been
made of late years in the republic of letters, I
shall here endeavour to confirm it by some ar-
guments, which I hope will put it beyond all
doubt and controversy.