Single Idea 12475

[catalogued under 18. Thought / D. Concepts / 2. Origin of Concepts / b. Empirical concepts]

Full Idea

External material things, as the objects of sensation; and the operations of our own minds within, as the objects of reflection, are to me the only originals from whence all our ideas take their beginning.

Gist of Idea

All our ideas derive either from sensation, or from inner reflection

Source

John Locke (Essay Conc Human Understanding (2nd Ed) [1694], 2.01.04)

Book Reference

Locke,John: 'Essay Concerning Human Understanding', ed/tr. Nidditch,P.H. [OUP 1979], p.105


A Reaction

The obvious opposition comes from claims about innate ideas. That a great deal is innate is fairly obvious, but it seems very hard to demonstrate that any of it qualifies as 'ideas'.