mixed mode

is made by men alone, and has no standard anywhere except the name and the usage of those thought to speak properly.

Recast in definition form from: “the abstract ideas of mixed modes, being men's voluntary combinations of such a precise collection of simple ideas, and so the essence of each species being made by men alone, whereof we have no other sensible standard existing anywhere but the name itself, or the definition of that name; we having nothing else to refer these our ideas of mixed …”

are fleeting combinations with no lasting home except their names, which is why we take the words for the ideas themselves.

Recast in definition form from: “which being fleeting and transient combinations of simple ideas, which have but a short existence anywhere but in the minds of men, and there too have no longer any existence than whilst they are thought on, have not so much anywhere the appearance of a constant and lasting existence as in their names: which are therefore, in this sort of …”

have names that end in the idea in the mind and lead the thoughts no further — unlike names of substances, which point at some real existence.

Recast in definition form from: “First, the names of SIMPLE IDEAS and SUBSTANCES, with the abstract ideas in the mind which they immediately signify, intimate also some real existence, from which was derived their original pattern. But the names of MIXED MODES terminate in the idea that is in the mind, and lead not the thoughts any further”

are assemblages the mind puts together at its own pleasure — whoever first said "sham", "wheedle" or "banter" simply made up what they meant.

Recast in definition form from: “He that first brought the word SHAM, or WHEEDLE, or BANTER, in use, put together as he thought fit those ideas he made it stand for”

is its own archetype and so cannot be chimerical unless its parts contradict each other; calling liberality 'justice' is a fault of speech, not of reality.

Recast in definition form from: “These ideas themselves, being archetypes, cannot differ from their archetypes, and so cannot be chimerical, unless any one will jumble together in them inconsistent ideas as if a man would give the name of justice to that idea which common use calls liberality. But this fantasticalness relates more to propriety of speech, than reality of ideas.”

are the one place where real and nominal essence coincide: referring to nothing beyond the idea the mind made, their names always signify their real essence.

Recast in definition form from: “the names of mixed modes always signify (when they have any determined signification) the REAL essences of their species. For, these abstract ideas being the workmanship of the mind, and not referred to the real existence of things, there is no supposition of anything more signified by that name, but barely that complex idea the mind itself has formed”

can hardly disagree with reality, since they are not copies of nature but patterns of our own making lodged in memory; the only error is giving them the wrong name.

Recast in definition form from: “but, as it were, patterns lodged in my memory, with names annexed to them, to denominate actions and relations by, as they come to exist. But the mistake is commonly in my giving a wrong name to my conceptions”

are made in three moves: the mind chooses a number of ideas, joins them into one, and ties them together with a name — so the species themselves are of men's making.

Recast in definition form from: “Wherein the mind does these three things: First, It chooses a certain number; Secondly, It gives them connexion, and makes them into one idea; Thirdly, It ties them together by a name.”

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Back in My Day

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mixed mode, n.All

mixed mode