Transcript Document

The Empiricists: Locke, Introduction
and the Criticism of Innate Ideas
Soazig Le Bihan - University of
Montana
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Outline
1. Introduction
2. Against Innate Ideas
3. Conclusion on Book I
Soazig Le Bihan - University of
Montana
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Introduction
Locke: Life and Work
Life:
- Familial background
- Historical background
- Education
- Intellectual life
- Political life
Works:
- Essay
- Two Treatises of Government
- Letter on Toleration
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Montana
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Introduction
Locke’s Essay: Topic, Method, Horizon
The Essay ‘s topic: the limits of human understanding
Method:
- Empiricism
- Naturalism – methodological vs ontological
- Historical Method – descriptive account of ideas and
understanding
Horizon: practice and morals
Soazig Le Bihan - University of
Montana
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Introduction
Locke’s Essay: Organization
Locke announced plan:
1.Origin of ideas
2.Kinds of knowledge
3.Nature and grounds of faith and opinion
In fact:
Book I: against innate ideas
Book II: origin of ideas
Book III: analysis of language
Book IV: faith and opinion
Soazig Le Bihan - University of
Montana
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Outline
1. Introduction
2. Against Innate Ideas
3. Conclusion on Book I
Soazig Le Bihan - University of
Montana
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Against Innate Ideas
Introduction
Why does Locke need to criticize the opposite view? –
biased readers expected
The question of Locke’s target:
- Descartes?
- Broad range of English philosophers
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Montana
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Against Innate Ideas
Innate ideas = Universal Assent
The argument from universal assent:
P1 There exists propositions which are the object of
universal consent
P2 Universal consent  Innateness
CC: there exists innate propositions
Locke’s criticism
- Against P1– the child and the idiot
- Against P2 – well-watered grass is green
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Montana
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Against Innate Ideas
I.I. = Unconscious but Self-Evident
A weaker take on P1: actual vs dispositional innate ideas
The argument:
P1 There exists propositions in our understanding of which
we are not conscious of
P2 Such propositions universally appear as self-evident to
the attentive human mind
P3 Universal self-evidence is a sufficient mark of innateness
CC: there exists dormant but innate propositions in our
minds
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Montana
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Against Innate Ideas
I.I. = Unconscious but Self-Evident
Locke’s criticism
- Against P1: either false or trivial
Core thesis: all thoughts are conscious
- Against P3: infinite number of such propositions
- Note that Locke accepts P2: There exists propositions
which universally appear self-evident to the attentive human
mind
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Montana
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Against Innate Ideas
The Moral Viewpoint
Reminder: Locke’s target
Innate Ideas and Morality: the common view
Innate principles against moral relativism
Innate Ideas and Morality: Locke’s view
Authority, ignorance, laziness and servitude vs Critical use
of reason
Soazig Le Bihan - University of
Montana
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Outline
1. Introduction
2. Against Innate Ideas
3. Conclusion on Book I
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Montana
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Conclusion
Locke: a man engaged in modern times
Locke’s aim: naturalistic and empiricist description of the
mechanisms by which our understanding constructs and use
ideas
Preliminary duty: Against innate ideas
Locke does not deny that universally self-evident
propositions exists. He denies that this proves them innate.
Our duty: In all domains, our duty is to use our reason for
critical thinking.
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Montana
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