Single Idea 7507

[catalogued under 12. Knowledge Sources / A. A Priori Knowledge / 3. Innate Knowledge / c. Tabula rasa]

Full Idea

Let us suppose the mind to be, as we say, white paper, void of all characters, without any ideas.

Clarification

'Characters' are writing

Gist of Idea

The mind is white paper, with no writing, or ideas

Source

John Locke (Essay Conc Human Understanding (2nd Ed) [1694], 2.01.02)

Book Reference

Locke,John: 'Essay Concerning Human Understanding', ed/tr. Nidditch,P.H. [OUP 1979], p.104


A Reaction

This is normally referred to as Locke's 'tabula rasa' idea, and is his denial of the existence of innate ideas. It is generally thought to be absurd, but note that he only 'supposes' it, presumably as a theoretical strategy, to investigate empiricism.