Are we born with innate ideas? According to Locke, a child's mind is at a "blank" state or "tabula rasa" when born,it does not contain innate ideas. The knowledge we acquire is due to the experiences we perceive throughout life. Locke states that an educated mind deals with a healthy body and a good source of knowledge. Locke argues, that if we are able to distinguish such things as colors, shapes, and tastes, is because we are exposed to it at an early age, beginning with the womb, not because they are innate ideas. This also applies to the idea of God. According to Locke, since we do not have innate ideas then we do not have innate principles which means that how do we know we should worship God? We don't even know if he exist.
Locke does make some good arguments but i do not agree with him entirely. The whole idea that we are born at a "blank" state can be controversial. I am going to have to agree with Descartes on the idea that we are born with innate ideas, one of them being the idea of God. If we are born with a blank mind, then where does the idea of God come from and our senses? We have to be born with some type of knowledge, not everything can be known because of experiences, i don't think we are born at a "blank" state. How can this be? How is it that everything we know is due to experiences? Can we honestly say without argument that we are born at a "blank" state?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Locke
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3 comments:
I also disagree with Locke about us bein born with a blank state of mind. I think we have innate ideas in us but they start coming out as we have experiences. For example, a baby can distinguish his mother from other people. I wonder where does he(baby) get this idea from? Im not sure if this is a good example but i made my point.
I don't agree with Locke. Innateness does come at birth. You could be born to a family of star athletes, and your body would be created in a such a way that one day you will be ready to be one as well. Families who have really well educated parents can have really smart kids. The traits are past on through the parents to their kids.
roach, i think your a bit confused. what your are talking about is talent not ideas. i do agree that such talents as playing basketball can be inherited but the idea of knowing what basketball is, is not innate,you see the difference?
jasmin, i kind of disagree, i believe that there are some ideas that are innate. i do not agree with the whole blank mind completely.
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