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Single Idea 16637
[filed under theme 12. Knowledge Sources / D. Empiricism / 4. Pro-Empiricism
]
Full Idea
The simple ideas we receive from sensation and reflection are the boundaries of our thoughts; beyond which the mind, whatever efforts it would make, is not able to advance one jot.
Gist of Idea
The absolute boundaries of our thought are the ideas we get from senses and the mind
Source
John Locke (Essay Conc Human Understanding (2nd Ed) [1694], 2.23.29), quoted by Robert Pasnau - Metaphysical Themes 1274-1671 09.3
Book Ref
Pasnau,Robert: 'Metaphysical Themes 1274-1671' [OUP 2011], p.175
A Reaction
My view is that this is wrong, simply because it takes no account of inference to the best explanation. We reach the boundaries of experience, and then we think about it, and penetrate beyond. His 'reflection' doesn't seem to mean that.
The
20 ideas
with the same theme
[reasons for favouring the empirical view of knowledge]:
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1500
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When we sleep, reason closes down as the senses do
[Heraclitus, by Sext.Empiricus]
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543
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All men long to understand, as shown by their delight in the senses
[Aristotle]
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1822
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Reason can't judge senses, as it is based on them
[Epicurus, by Diog. Laertius]
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5702
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The senses are much the best way to distinguish true from false
[Lucretius]
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5729
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If the senses are deceptive, reason, which rests on them, is even worse
[Lucretius]
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16637
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The absolute boundaries of our thought are the ideas we get from senses and the mind
[Locke]
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3938
|
Geometry is originally perceived by senses, and so is not purely intellectual
[Berkeley]
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2183
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We can only invent a golden mountain by combining experiences
[Hume]
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2186
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We cannot form the idea of something we haven't experienced
[Hume]
|
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2194
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How could Adam predict he would drown in water or burn in fire?
[Hume]
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2702
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Only madmen dispute the authority of experience
[Hume]
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2205
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You couldn't reason at all if you lacked experience
[Hume]
|
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2217
|
When definitions are pushed to the limit, only experience can make them precise
[Hume]
|
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21285
|
Events are baffling before experience, and obvious after experience
[Hume]
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6577
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For Kant, our conceptual scheme is disastrous when it reaches beyond experience
[Kant, by Fogelin]
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16925
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Appearance gives truth, as long as it is only used within experience
[Kant]
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12108
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All real knowledge rests on observed facts
[Comte]
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9082
|
Clear concepts result from good observation, extensive experience, and accurate memory
[Mill]
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5185
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It is further sense-experience which informs us of the mistakes that arise out of sense-experience
[Ayer]
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21685
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Empiricism says evidence rests on the senses, but that insight is derived from science
[Quine]
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