What does "tabula rasa" mean and how does it relate to what John Locke believed about humas?

Answer 1

"Tabula rasa" is a Latin phrase that translates to "blank slate" in English. It refers to the philosophical concept that individuals are born without innate knowledge, ideas, or understanding. According to this view, the human mind is like a blank slate at birth, and all knowledge and ideas are acquired through sensory experiences and perception of the external world.

This notion of tabula rasa is closely associated with the British philosopher John Locke, who developed it as a central tenet of his empiricist theory of knowledge. Locke believed that the mind begins as a blank slate and that all ideas and knowledge are derived from experiences and impressions on this blank slate. He argued that individuals are not born with any pre-existing ideas, but rather acquire them gradually through observation and reflection.

In his influential work "An Essay Concerning Human Understanding," Locke posited that the mind is initially devoid of content and that individuals acquire knowledge through sensory experiences and the subsequent reflection upon those experiences. He argued against the idea of innate ideas or pre-existing knowledge, asserting that humans are born with a blank slate that is filled in over time through their experiences in the world.

Overall, the concept of tabula rasa aligns with Locke's belief in empirical knowledge and the idea that human understanding is shaped by personal experiences and sensory perception rather than predetermined or innate ideas.