John Locke and Innate Ideas
INTRODUCTION John Locke (1632-1704), like Bacon and Descartes before him, renewed theories into more urban concepts. ... The doctrine of the innate ideas was the first step to its renewal project. Locke also criticizes the theory of the simple ideas, corresponding to individuated qualities of things in the world as a red round patch. These simple ideas cannot be created by the mind; they only come from sensation or reflection. Locke evaluated also the complex ideas; which are a combination of simple ideas. The processes of combination, comparison, and abstraction which build the complex ideas are done by the mind. ... In the following essay, I will discuss more about the Locke’s doctrine on the innate ideas, and also about the nature and limits of knowledge according to Locke. DEVELOPMENT Innate Ideas Locke’s theory on the innate ideas was the first doctrine that he wanted to remove. ... The innate ideas claimed that some types of ideas, principles, or knowledge are not obtained through experience. Instead, these ideas, principles, or knowledge are developed into the mind itself; human beings are born with knowledge. Locke was objected to this doctrine of innate ideas and he claimed that knowledge came from experiences.