Single Idea 12482

[catalogued under 12. Knowledge Sources / B. Perception / 6. Inference in Perception]

Full Idea

Mr Molyneux's Question: a blind man, taught by touch to distinguish between a cube and a sphere of the same metal and same bigness. Suppose the cube and sphere placed on a table, and the man made to see - could he distinguish them?

Gist of Idea

Molyneux's Question: could a blind man distinguish cube from sphere, if he regained his sight?

Source

John Locke (Essay Conc Human Understanding (2nd Ed) [1694], 2.09.08)

Book Reference

Locke,John: 'Essay Concerning Human Understanding', ed/tr. Nidditch,P.H. [OUP 1979], p.146


A Reaction

Both Molyneux and Locke agree that the answer is 'no', because he won't yet have learned to associate the new experiences with the old shapes. [Gareth Evans wrote on this question]