John Locke, the founder of modern empiricism, proposes that all ideas originate from experience, and cannot possibly be inborn. His argument is that firstly, the theory of “innate ideas” is the result of universal consent on certain notions, which does not prove them innate at all. Furthermore, there is no such consent in the first place—Locke offers the example of children, who do not know certain concepts until they are educated. Additionally, if reasoning activates these ideas in us, it proves that they are not innate, as innate ideas do not need to be taught.
Instead, Locke advocates that experience is the sole producer of our ideas. Experience can be defined as sensation (external) and reflection (internal). All concepts are devised by
Instead, Locke advocates that experience is the sole producer of our ideas. Experience can be defined as sensation (external) and reflection (internal). All concepts are devised by