Table of Contents
Definition of innate ideas
Descartes views on the inborn ideas of human nature
Locke’s views on human nature and innate ideas
Comparative analysis of Descartes’ and Locke’s philosophy on inborn ideas
In conclusion
Over the years, philosophers have evaluated and written on many topics in philosophy. Sometimes, they agree with one another’s ideas. Two distinct ideas were held by two scholars about where and how innate ideas are derived. These two philosophers had opposing views on the origin of innate ideas. This is notable (Brandhorst 2010, p. 56). Descartes found his views in Meditations of First Philosophy. Locke found his position in An Essay Concerning human Understanding. The paper draws on these sources in order to critically compare the theories of Descartes and Locke regarding innate ideas. The paper examines the similarities and differences between Locke’s and Descartes’ philosophies.
Innate Ideas DefinitionInnate concepts are ideas that are supposedly born in the brain of a person and are not derived from experience. (Tooby & Barrett (2005), p. 23). Innate ideas are ideas that can be attributed to some things, such as God, infinity and substance. This is because they have no proven experimental origin. Descartes was the pioneer of the idea of innate and natural ideas. Descartes was joined by other delegates to focus on the theory about innate thoughts that God created in the human mind during childbirth. Descartes described the essence of innate ideas as the idea that God exists, which is something that can’t be found in experience. Descartes proposed that everyone is born with information about God through their faith and beliefs (Brandhorst (2010), p. 44). Despite the apparent differences in individuals’ lives due to socio-cultural and economic influences, it is believed that innate ideas have a significant influence on human life.
Descartes’ epistemology was based on his belief that all people are born with inborn ideas. Descartes begins his argument by stating that we only know that our minds exist. He asserts that only our judgments and ideas are wrong. Meditation 3:22 is Descartes’ proof that God exists. He asserts that all effects have a greater cause than their source. Descartes already understands God and is convinced that God is all-perfect. Descartes isn’t perfect. Descartes is not perfect. Additionally, the idea God cannot possibly be wrong because ideas can never be wrong.
Rene Descartes is a mathematician. He was also a brilliant person. His theory was founded on the idea that God. Descartes further argues against ideas to find God’s thoughts and wonders what innate ideas are. Descartes concludes by saying that two things are necessary. The first is the idea that nothing can create something. He recognizes that God can only be described as a perfect being. Therefore, to arrive at the conclusion that God exists, it is necessary to consider certain thoughts. Descartes must ask himself, “Where do thoughts come from?” Because the world has material items, Descartes concludes ideas cannot come from imagination. Also, perfection is not possible. Descartes further demonstrates that God cannot even be imagined, since no one is able to make the world as perfect and God-like. In this instance, he says that God was not created by him, but that the idea was already engraved in his brain.
Locke’s view about innate human ideas. Locke was among those who disagreed with this theory. He argued that all knowledge is based on experience and not as defined by Descartes. John Locke argues against inborn ideas by using various arguments in his book “An essay Concerning Human Understanding”. The pragmatists believed true knowledge could only be gained from experience. Descartes was one example of a philosopher who believed there were ideas and information present at childbirth (Locke & Yolton 1975, p. 78). John Locke believed, unlike Descartes that knowledge comes from life experiences.
Locke’s first argument against Descartes is that there is not widespread agreement. Locke argues in this instance that for there be innate thoughts, it would make sense that everyone around the globe agrees on the idea. He says, “There is no thought that all people have, and there are no ideas that everyone recognizes.” His second argument states that children don’t share ideas.
Critical comparison between Locke philosophy and Descartes philosophy about innate ideas Descartes tries to discover the basic principle that leads to the belief in God. Locke on the contrary, asserts that ideas are obtained through sensation, direct experience of the external world, and reflection to generate new thoughts.
Locke denies the existence of innate ideas, citing two reasons. Locke claims there are no innate thoughts since children would be able to know if they were. (Newman 2009, p.73). Locke confirms that any thought, if it is innately formed, then the belief in God’s existence is innate. The thought of God is not innate, however, as there is no universal belief about God’s existence. Locke clarifies that the brain does not contain innate thoughts. Instead, it is a blank sheet of paper devoid of any characters and no ideas. Human brains learn new things and knowledge only through experience.
Descartes claimed that innate thoughts are existence. His idea was based on the idea that human beings perceive God as real. Locke, however, argues that humans are not made to know all things. Instead, they are equipped with sufficient information to enable them to avoid trouble. Locke’s conviction is that ideas are formed from the experiences of individuals and not by imaginable responses. Locke believes that knowledge can be gained from experience and is accessible to the brain after it has been developed.
John Locke doesn’t agree with Descartes’ view that human nature is born with certain ideas. Locke believes knowledge that can be equated to a substantial degree is more valuable than knowledge that is based only on perception. Locke explains this in “Essay Concerning Personal Understanding”, a book he wrote. Locke cites the importance of perception and reflection as key factors in ideas (Locke & Yolton 1973, p. 87). He concludes that all ideas are formed from observation and reflection. This is why knowledge is built upon experience.
There are similarities between Descartes’ and Locke’s philosophies, despite their differences. There are many examples where both authors can agree, as shown by multiple sources. Locke’s “Essay Concerning human Understanding” is therefore not written to challenge Descartes’ claims about innate ideas. It is an account of epistemology that Locke read Descartes’s works. Here, there is a striking similarity: Locke was influenced by Descartes’ philosophy and criticisms. He also adopted many of Descartes’ terminologies.
Locke’s notion of the concept is one example where Descartes was used. Locke defines a concept as anything that the brain sees in it or is the quick object of thought, perception, and comprehension. This is how Descartes defines an idea. Descartes describes idea as any thing that can be quickly perceived by the mind.
Conclusion. The paper examined the similarities and differences in Descartes’ and Locke’s philosophies, primarily based on the inherent ideas of human nature. Locke is citing Descartes’ works in many ways. However, Locke also opposes some his ideas at one point. Locke, particularly, disagrees with Descartes on the origins and nature of inborn ideas. These two philosophers have differing philosophical answers. Descartes philosophy is my favorite philosophy, even though they may have different philosophies. Because everything that happens relies on God’s nature, the creator of all things. Everything that exists or happens can eventually be reduced to brain and matter. Descartes claimed that God’s will is above human understanding.
