Empiricism is the belief that knowledge is gained through experience. Empiricism was a way for philosophers to answer the question of skepticism. Both John Locke and George Berkeley believed the theory of empiricism to a certain extent. Locke believed our knowledge is not inherited but came from our senses and our senses could be split into two group: primary and secondary qualities. The main disagreement Berkeley had with Locke was his view concerning primary and secondary qualities. Berkeley was
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opposing philosophies of René Descartes and John Locke. Descartes was a rationalist who believed in innate ideas‚ solid reasoning‚ and the ability of deduction. In contrast‚ Locke was an empiricist that believed in sensory perception‚ induction‚ and attaining knowledge through experience which he argued was our only source of ideas. This brings us to the prompt; describe the difference between Descartes’ and Locke’s theories of how we acquire knowledge of the external world. According to Descartes’
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researching Locke’s ideas and how they ultimately derive from experience‚ as well as examining his account of the origin of the idea of God‚ it is evident that Descartes’ alternative source of our idea of God challenges and contradicts Locke’s account. Locke states‚ “Experience is the source of all our ideas” (366b). On the other hand‚ Descartes says the following about God: “ God a certain substance that is infinite‚ independent supremely intelligent and superbly powerful…” (51b). Following these concrete
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Hobbes vs. Locke: Political Theories Both Hobbes and Locke shared similarities within their political theories; however their theories also had some major differences. Both men were responding to the crisis of the 17th century and they were highly influenced by the scientific revolution. Hobbes and Locke rejected all previous theories regarding human nature. They used the same methodology‚ and the men accepted an atomistic view of society. They believed that individuals were rational and were motivated
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In analyzing the works of Plato and John Locke I feel that Plato presents a more accurate idealism in how a society should be maintained. Plato puts ultimate power in those with the highest knowledge. I feel that this concept is necessary in order to have a successful regime‚ thus I support in my argument. Plato’s theory hand picks guardians to become Philosopher Kings. These kings are those with "Gold" Souls‚ and in fact do not wish to become such a hierarchal figure. Plato chooses Guardians who
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the most influential political philosopher and social contract theorists of all time‚ John Locke and Thomas Hobbes both used ‘The State of Nature’ as a medium in order to understand the basic human nature and natural human rights in their writings. Both‚ then used their own understanding of the human nature in order to determine and justify the ideal form of government‚ its role and its powers. However‚ Locke and Hobbes reach markedly different conclusions. Hobbes argues that every man should concede
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In this paper‚ I will examine the political philosophies of Thomas Hobbes and John Locke. I will investigate both men’s ideas individually and offer my own views on their theories. I will conclude the paper by comparing and contrasting the notions introduced in their respective writings. Thomas Hobbes was born in Wiltshire‚ England in 1588. He lived in one of the most unsettled periods in English history. Following a rebellion against King Charles‚ there resulted a civil war‚ which began in 1642
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Political Philosophy Hobbes‚ Locke‚ and the Social Contract The concept of human security‚ which has had a crucial place in human’s societal history‚ has been argued over by many great philosophers throughout mankind’s existence. Two pioneer thinkers of political philosophy‚ Thomas Hobbes and John Locke‚ theorized state of nature typologies‚ which are the core of social contract theory‚ and created a concept of modern security‚ even in the 17th century. Hobbes created a contract entrusting
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involved with scientific methods to acquire new knowledge. The philosophical scientific method is based on inquiry through solid empirical evidence‚ rather than just theory like Aristotle and Plato. Along with this scientific method is the Mind’s Eye Model of Perception‚ which is the theory that any object you look at is just your own perception and others will have a different perception of the seemingly same object. Three philosophers of the time‚ Locke‚ Hume‚ and Kant‚ were big proponents of the scientific
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Thomas Hobbes and John Locke both had very different views on society and government. For Locke‚ natural rights could co-exist within a civil society and that natural rights and civil society were not mutually exclusive categories. While Hobbes thinks that the absolute power of the sovereign is simply the price mankind must pay for peace‚ Locke believes that absolute power is never a remedy for the state of nature. Hobbes and Locke also greatly differed in their opinions on the role of the state
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