Single Idea 12567

[catalogued under 27. Natural Reality / G. Biology / 3. Evolution]

Full Idea

It is as impossible to conceive that ever bare incogitative matter should produce a thinking intelligent being, as that nothing should of itself produce matter.

Gist of Idea

It is inconceivable that unthinking matter could produce intelligence

Source

John Locke (Essay Conc Human Understanding (2nd Ed) [1694], 4.10.10)

Book Reference

Locke,John: 'Essay Concerning Human Understanding', ed/tr. Nidditch,P.H. [OUP 1979], p.623


A Reaction

This is still a strongly intuitive objection that some people have to materialistic evolution. If you don't think the mind can be reduced to the physical, you still have this problem. You'll probably have to concoct an idea called 'emergence'.