The Validity of Knowledge
Lia Thompson
Mr. Faria
HZT 4U1
Wednesday January 18, 2012
The Validity of Knowledge
This paper will explain the validity of John Locke’s Theory of Knowledge. Epistemology has been the topic of discussion for many philosophers over the centuries. The study of knowledge is important because as humans, it is necessary to understand where the basis for our knowledge originates. Locke, like many philosophers believed that all knowledge about the world is derived from sensory perceptions. Empiricists such as Locke believe this “posteriori” view of knowledge. He explains in his theory that we are born with “blank slates” or Tabula Rasa, the term used in Locke’s theory in his writing, “An Essay Concerning Human Understanding” (Locke 163). Philosophical arguments are as varied as the philosophers who construct them. For each theory, there is an opposing view. Rationalists, such as Rene Descartes would argue against Locke and his empiricist view of knowledge, believing knowledge to be innate. Descartes believed that all humans are innately born with these truths without the aid of our senses as argued in his first, second and third Meditations (Descartes 3). Locke’s theory goes against not only Descartes views but Plato’s as well. But Despite the arguments against Locke’s empiricist view, he is most reasonable. I agree with John Locke’s theory of sensory perception because we would not be able to survive without our senses.
John Locke was born on August 29, 1632 in a village in Somerset, England (John Locke-Biography). He wrote several major works that have made a big impact on today’s view of the world, but his major theory on knowledge was in his book, “An Essay Concerning Human Understanding”, where he outlined his views as well as argued against rationalist’s view on innate knowledge. He wrote his book based on his belief that true knowledge is gained through experience, “a posteriori” (Velasquez 330). “Locke holds that the mind is a tabula
Mr. Faria
HZT 4U1
Wednesday January 18, 2012
The Validity of Knowledge
This paper will explain the validity of John Locke’s Theory of Knowledge. Epistemology has been the topic of discussion for many philosophers over the centuries. The study of knowledge is important because as humans, it is necessary to understand where the basis for our knowledge originates. Locke, like many philosophers believed that all knowledge about the world is derived from sensory perceptions. Empiricists such as Locke believe this “posteriori” view of knowledge. He explains in his theory that we are born with “blank slates” or Tabula Rasa, the term used in Locke’s theory in his writing, “An Essay Concerning Human Understanding” (Locke 163). Philosophical arguments are as varied as the philosophers who construct them. For each theory, there is an opposing view. Rationalists, such as Rene Descartes would argue against Locke and his empiricist view of knowledge, believing knowledge to be innate. Descartes believed that all humans are innately born with these truths without the aid of our senses as argued in his first, second and third Meditations (Descartes 3). Locke’s theory goes against not only Descartes views but Plato’s as well. But Despite the arguments against Locke’s empiricist view, he is most reasonable. I agree with John Locke’s theory of sensory perception because we would not be able to survive without our senses.
John Locke was born on August 29, 1632 in a village in Somerset, England (John Locke-Biography). He wrote several major works that have made a big impact on today’s view of the world, but his major theory on knowledge was in his book, “An Essay Concerning Human Understanding”, where he outlined his views as well as argued against rationalist’s view on innate knowledge. He wrote his book based on his belief that true knowledge is gained through experience, “a posteriori” (Velasquez 330). “Locke holds that the mind is a tabula