Question

Identify which among the following is NOT a characteristic of a simple idea according to John Locke.

• A. Varying in its appearance or conception
• B. Cannot be further divided into other simple ideas
• C. Distinctly clear
• D. Unambiguous

Hint:

For Locke, simple ideas are passive impressions of the mind and remain constant whenever experienced

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding John Locke’s concept of simple ideas.
According to John Locke, in his work An Essay Concerning Human Understanding, simple ideas are the most basic units of knowledgeThey are received passively by the mind through sensation or reflection and cannot be created, altered, or broken down by the intellect
Step 2: Examining the defining characteristics of simple ideas.
Simple ideas are uniform, clear, and unambiguousThey cannot be resolved into smaller components and remain the same in conception whenever they are apprehended
Step 3: Evaluating option (A).
The statement “varying in its appearance or conception” contradicts Locke’s viewSimple ideas do not vary in conceptionEach simple idea presents itself to the mind in a fixed and uniform manner
Step 4: Evaluating the remaining options.
Option (B) correctly states that simple ideas cannot be dividedOption (C) aligns with Locke’s claim that simple ideas are clear and definiteOption (D) is also consistent, as simple ideas do not admit ambiguity
Step 5: Final conclusion.
Since variation in appearance or conception is not a feature of simple ideas, option (A) is the correct answer