Reblogged: John Locke on innate ideas

[Practice Good Theory Blog]

Rand says that ideas are not innate. Even the broad axioms like "existence exists" that everyone takes for granted have to be gleaned from experience. This is contrary to epistemology that says that certain fundamental axioms are known a priori (e.g. see Ludwig von Mises). However, Rand was not unique in rejecting innate ideas.

John Locke (Book 1 of "An Essay Concerning Human Understanding") argues against the notion of innate propositions. His opponents consider notions like "What is is" (similar to "existence exists") as being innate in the human mind. Locke sets out to refute this view. Broad "speculative propositions" about existence, non-contradiction and identity are not innate, but must be discovered by man, through the use of reason. Moreover, other knowledge is not derived are a deductive conclusion from these broad propositions.

Reason is the faculty to discover all knowledge: Having addressed "speculative" propositions, Locke then turns to moral and practical propositions. Ideas like justice, "do unto others as you would have them do unto you", worship and even the idea of God ... ... none of these are innate to man. While he agrees that many of these concepts and propositions are valid, true and useful, one cannot simply take these on trust or faith. One look purely within oneself for knowledge. Instead, man has to use reason.

Reject faith, and base the concept of God on reason: Locke explains that many men learn these broad principles at a very young age, and think of them as innate because they are so ingrained, and because all their neighbors seem to agree. Yet, says Locke, principles held like this stand on the shaky foundations that also include the superstitions of childrens' nurses and the fear of being different from one's neighbors. By his nature, man needs principles; therefore, a man who cannot or will not use reason to find true principles, will accept principles by default (e.g. from his culture).

Link to Original

[Devil's Advocate]

John Locke was (and remains) very influential in forming my philosophical views.  I see a strong connection with Objectivism in promoting a rational standard for rights that begins to transition away from Divine endorsement...

 

"Sec. 25. Whether we consider natural reason, which tells us, that men, being once born, have a right to their preservation... or revelation, which gives us an account of those grants God made of the world to Adam...   I will not content myself to answer... that God gave the world to Adam... But I shall endeavour to shew, how men might come to have a property in several parts of that which God gave to mankind in common, and that without any express compact of all the commoners." http://www.constitution.org/jl/2ndtr05.htm

 

Heady stuff in a world presumed to be created by God, which leads to delimiting God to nature, as penned later by Jefferson in the form of "Nature's God".  One can appreciate the persuasive use of heresy in the words, "Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason, than that of blind-folded fear." ~ Thomas Jefferson

 

Check you premises.

Edited March 29, 2014 by Devil's Advocate

[dream_weaver]

"One can appreciate the persuasive use of heresy . . ."  interestingly stated.

 

John Locke does represent another important contributor to the intellectual melting-pot that influenced the thinkers of the new world, even though his philosophy fell short as did many of the other intellectuals we've discussed.

[New Buddha]

Fix reason firmly in her seat, and call to her tribunal every fact, every opinion. Question with boldness even the existence of a god; because, if there be one, he must approve the homage of reason rather than of blind-folded fear. Do not be frightened from this inquiry by any fear of its consequences.... If it end in a belief that there is no god, you will find incitements to virtue in the comfort and pleasantness you feel in its exercise and in the love of others it will procure for you.

-- Thomas Jefferson, to Peter Carr, 10 August 1787. (capitalization of the word god is retained per original)

 

This is as close to he could ever come to saying he was an Atheist without actually saying it.