LOCKE'S AGNOSTICISM OF SUBSTANCE AND ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN FAITH

Abstract

The concept of substance varies with various philosophers, depending on the school of thought. While the materialists would develop a materialistic concept of substance, the idealist would definitely develop a spiritual or idealistic concept of substance. For the thorough going empiricist, since substance is not something that can be seen or touched, one would expect that he would deny the existence of such a thing. This paper analyses concept of substance in the philosophy of John Locke: first, a study of Locke‟s concept of substance as the substratum to qualities is undertaken, then as general essences and finally as real essences. This is followed by a criticism of his concepts of substance.