According to Locke, power is two-fold. Active power is able to make any change, while passive power is able to be changed. For example, fire has a power to meld gold, while gold has a power to be melted. Similarly, the sun has a power to blanch wax, while wax is able to be blanched by the sun. To define a clear idea of active power, Locke analyses thinking and motion. We do not have the clearest idea of the power from thinking as it affords us no idea of power at all. It is a power to receive ideas or thoughts from the operation of any external substance, but it is a passive power. Any idea of the beginning of motion of body is neither an active power. When it is set in motion itself, this motion is rather a passion like that of the ball that obeys the motion of a billiard stick. The ball may set another ball in motion by impulse; however, it only communicates the motion it had received from another. Locke concludes that we have the idea of the beginning of motion only from reflection. The idea of power starts from the observation on what passes in ourselves. Barely by a thought of mind, we can begin or refrain, continue or end several actions of our minds and motions of our bodies. This power of the mind to consider or to refrain an action in any particular instance is called the will, while the actual exercise of that power is called volition or willing.

To summarize, active power is when the substance or agent puts itself into action of its own power. By this action, a solid substance by motion operates on, or alters the sensible qualities of another substance. If an agent receives motion only from some external agent, this action is considered as a passive power. Ideas of colors, sounds, tastes, smells, and all other ideas that we receive from sensation is an act of passive power. Ideas of reflection, that is ideas on what passes in ourselves, we can call an act of active power. Active or passive power do not always signify action. Locke gives an example of looking at the sun. As soon as I feel the heat of the sun, the sun starts operating on me. It is not me who act. I only receive ideas of light, roundness, and heat. I am passive as I cannot avoid receiving them in that position of my eyes or body. However, if I turn my eyes another way, I start operating on my mind. I make a choice. My will considers not to look at the sun and prefers the motion of a part of my body to avoid it. In this case, I am properly active, since, by a power within myself, I put myself into that action.

Bibliography:

  • Locke, John, Essay Concerning Human Understanding in Modern Philosophy, an anthology of primary sources, second edition, edited by Roger Ariew and Eric Watkins, Hackett Publishing Company, Inc. 2009