Key Arguments

• Locke observes that one may "truly be said to see darkness" and gives the case of "a hole perfectly dark, from whence no light is reflected" whose figure can be seen or painted, raising the question whether the ink used "makes any other idea" than that of privation.
• He admits that "The privative causes I have here assigned of positive ideas are according to the common opinion;" signalling that his examples follow popular views rather than a settled theory.
• He concludes that "in truth, it will be hard to determine whether there be really any ideas from a privative cause, till it be determined, whether rest be any more a privation than motion," tying the issue to a deeper metaphysical question about rest.

Source Quotes

Whether any ideas are due to causes really privative. And thus one may truly be said to see darkness. For, supposing a hole perfectly dark, from whence no light is reflected, it is certain one may see the figure of it, or it may be painted; or whether the ink I write with makes any other idea, is a question.

For, supposing a hole perfectly dark, from whence no light is reflected, it is certain one may see the figure of it, or it may be painted; or whether the ink I write with makes any other idea, is a question. The privative causes I have here assigned of positive ideas are according to the common opinion; but, in truth, it will be hard to determine whether there be really any ideas from a privative cause, till it be determined, whether rest be any more a privation than motion. 7.

Key Concepts

• And thus one may truly be said to see darkness.
• The privative causes I have here assigned of positive ideas are according to the common opinion; but, in truth, it will be hard to determine whether there be really any ideas from a privative cause
• till it be determined, whether rest be any more a privation than motion.

Context

Book II, chapter VIII, section 6, where Locke expresses caution about firmly ascribing any ideas to truly privative causes.