Locke on the right use of our abilities

This chapter argues that abilities play a central role in Locke’s project in An Essay Concerning Human Understanding (1689). Although Locke says little about the metaphysical nature of abilities, he understands the project of the Essay to be an examination of our abilities, particularly our cognitive abilities. By thinking about how this examination works, we can better understand Locke’s account of abilities and their significance. This chapter argues that Locke holds that our abilities have aims, and moreover, in some cases, we can know what those aims are. Moreover, this helps explain Locke’s views about morality in general and the possibility of moral demonstration in particular: Locke thinks we might demonstrate the correct use of our abilities, and that the correct use of our abilities is a moral duty. This treatment of abilities and their moral significance is illustrated by considering Locke’s discussion of our ability to use language.