The Enlightenment period was marked by a renewed interest in determining the nature of reality and knowledge. In pursuit of this understanding, philosophers expounded ideas that aligned with either of two theories: empiricism or rationalism. John Locke was one of the most eminent philosophers of the time to consider this subject. He largely subscribed to the empiricist philosophy, according to which knowledge of reality comes only from the experience of its perception, that is, knowledge is a representation of reality in the mind, which is shaped by the unique processing of sensory information from real objects. This contrasts with rationalism, which holds that knowledge comes from logic, which is innate to human cognition. In his Theory of Perception, Locke argues that the perception of objects is determined by their properties, which he divides into two categories – primary and secondary qualities – and it is this distinction that allows Locke to explain perception in a manner to provide an argument in favor of his empiricist philosophy. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay In Locke's theory of perception, primary qualities are those that are intrinsic to the object. These are qualities that the object retains regardless of the conditions under which they are perceived, by whom they are perceived, or whether or not they are perceived. He lists them as solidity, extension (whether the object occupies space), figure, and movement (or lack thereof). Locke uses the example of division to demonstrate the existence of intrinsic qualities. Citing wheat, he explains that if a grain of wheat is divided, it will always retain the same solidity, extension, figure and movement. Locke again uses division to illustrate secondary qualities and the difference between them and primary qualities. Almonds (or rather almond particles), he explains, retain their solidity, their extension, their shape and their movement when they are divided, and it is this capacity to be retained which qualifies these four qualities primaries. On the other hand, their taste, smell and texture change when they are divided, and it is the fact that division modifies them (or general handling) that demonstrates that they are secondary qualities. Locke also uses the example of fire to demonstrate heat as a secondary quality. The heat of the fire modifies the primary qualities of the wax, for example, changing its color and shape. Likewise, it induces pain on contact. However, Locke argues that this heat is not intrinsic to fire, but rather it is its unique interactions with wax and people that give it this definition of heat. It is the unique property of wax that causes it to melt on contact with fire, and it is the individual perception of heat that results in the idea of ​​pain. If the fire comes into contact with, for example, steel, it will not melt due to the quality of the steel, and if it comes into contact with a person with calloused hands, they will not feel pain . Locke postulates that this variability of perception or interaction based on the qualities of the perceiver makes warmth a secondary quality. Thus, he defines secondary qualities as those that are not present in objects, but rather as properties that only exist within our perception. In other words, secondary qualities are not properties of objects, but rather the power of objects to affect other objects and our perception. The exact nature of these secondary qualities depends and.