16. Simple ideas have few ascents in linea praedicamentali.
Fifthly, This further may be observed concerning
simple ideas and their names, that they have but few ascents in lineâ prædicamentali, (as they call it,) from the
lowest species to the summum genus. The reason whereof is, that the lowest species being but one simple idea,
nothing can be left out of it, that so the difference being taken away, it may agree with some other thing in one
idea common to them both; which, having one name, is the genus of the other two: v.g. there is nothing that can
be left out of the idea of white and red to make them agree in one common appearance, and so have one general
name; as rationality being left out of the complex idea of man, makes it agree with brute in the more general idea
and name of animal. And therefore when, to avoid unpleasant enumerations, men would comprehend both white
and red, and several other such simple ideas, under one general name, they have been fain to do it by a word
which denotes only the way they get into the mind. For when white, red, and yellow are all comprehended under
the genus or name colour, it signifies no more but such ideas as are produced in the mind only by the sight, and
have entrance only through the eyes. And when they would frame yet a more general term to comprehend both
colours and sounds, and the like simple ideas, they do it by a word that signifies all such as come into the mind
only by one sense. And so the general term quality, in its ordinary acceptation, comprehends colours, sounds,
tastes, smells, and tangible qualities, with distinction from extension, number, motion, pleasure, and pain, which
make impressions on the mind and introduce their ideas by more senses than one.
