Single Idea 12947

[catalogued under 12. Knowledge Sources / C. Rationalism / 1. Rationalism]

Full Idea

The senses could not convince us of the existence of sensible things without help from reason.

Gist of Idea

We only believe in sensible things when reason helps the senses

Source

Gottfried Leibniz (New Essays on Human Understanding [1704], 2.07)

Book Reference

Leibniz,Gottfried: 'New Essays on Human Understanding', ed/tr. Remnant/Bennett [CUP 1996], p.129


A Reaction

This nicely pinpoints the big difficulty which keeps besetting orthodox empiricism. I've been educated as an empiricist, but I prefer Leibniz to Berkeley or Hume, and even to the more sensible Locke.