Single Idea 10326

[catalogued under 13. Knowledge Criteria / C. External Justification / 8. Social Justification]

Full Idea

The floating of other Mens Opinions in our brains makes us not one jot the more knowing, though they happen to be true.

Gist of Idea

Other men's opinions don't add to our knowledge - even when they are true

Source

John Locke (Essay Conc Human Understanding (2nd Ed) [1694], 1.04.23)

Book Reference

Locke,John: 'Essay Concerning Human Understanding', ed/tr. Nidditch,P.H. [OUP 1979], p.101


A Reaction

Kusch calls this thought of Locke's 'notorious'. Locke is certainly expressing extreme individualism in epistemology, and Kusch's views are the exact opposite. I'm more with Kusch.