Loc ke

t ep c c i on pir C m e m

Simple ideas Complex ideas Abstractio n is Mind as a tabula rasa

STRENGTH: the argument about innate ideas (e.g. God, infinity) can be refuted WEAKNESSES 1. Counter-examples - missing shade of blue (Hume), God (Descartes), Infinity 2. Carruthers to recognise different shades of red we need a concept redness to begin with

Empiricis m

The strengths and weaknesses of the view that the import of all ideas derives from and is determined by sense experience. The strengths and weaknesses of the view that claims to know about what exists or occurs must be justified by sense experience.
1.

ge led m w Kno iricis p em al ition os Prop ledge w kno

1. Fits with the scientific worldview 2. Doesnt require any supernatural/ metaphysical explanations 5/3/12

Synthetic knowledge Lockes two fountains of knowledge (both) Humes fork (matters of fact)

2.

Counter-examples from intuition I exist, from deduction God exists, ext world exists (Descartes) Problem of induction & scepticism

Part (a) questions

Explain what is meant by the claim that the human mind starts as a tabula rasa and give one reason for holding this view. (Jan 2010) Explain what is meant by the view that all ideas and knowledge are drawn from and justified by sense experience. Explain a strength of the view that all ideas are derived sense experience. Explain a weakness of the view that all ideas are derived from sense experience. Illustrating your answer, explain what is meant by the view that claims to know about what exists or occurs must be justified by sense experience. Explain a strength of the view that all knowledge is drawn from and justified by sense experience. Illustrating your answer, explain a weakness of the view that all knowledge is drawn from and justified by sense experience.

5/3/12

Part (b) questions

Critically discuss the view that all knowledge comes from, and is justified by, sense experience. (June 2009) How convincing is the view that sense experience is the source of all knowledge? (Jan 2010) Assess the claim that all knowledge and ideas derive from sense experience. (June 2011) Assess the view that all ideas are derived from and determined by sense experience. Assess the view that claims to know about what exists or occurs must be justified by sense experience.
5/3/12