Locke's Essay Concerning Human Understanding
from Introduction to Philosophy
The third of the "British Empiricists" is John Locke, also known for his political philosophy and his Treatises on Government (check out our episode on the second treatise). Locke's Essay Concerning Human Understanding, presented here in excerpts, explores the origins and nature of human knowledge. Locke argues against the existence of innate ideas, proposing instead that all knowledge stems from sensory experience (sensation) and reflection on mental processes. He details various types of ideas, including simple and complex ideas, modes, substances, and relations, analyzing their formation and potential for error. The text also discusses the nature of personal identity, free will, and morality, ultimately aiming to establish a framework for understanding the limits and capabilities of human understanding.
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