John Locke Blank Slate Quote
John locke s blank slate theory tabula rasa is a latin phrase often translated as blank slate in english and originates from the roman tabula used for notes which was blanked by heating the wax and then smoothing it.
John locke blank slate quote. The theory proposes that beyond a very few basic instincts our experiences shape us entirely. This roughly equates to the english term blank slate or more literally erased slate which refers to the emptiness of a slate prior to it being written on with chalk. Skinner s version draws on english philosopher john locke who developed a theory of knowledge as formed by the.
Here is the famous passage from an essay concerning human understanding. John locke in his essay concerning human understanding restated the importance of the experience of the senses over speculation and sets out the case that the human mind at birth is a complete but receptive blank slate scraped tablet or tabula rasa upon which experience imprints knowledge. The blank slate idea has a long history in philosophy that goes back to aristotle.
Blank slate is a loose translation of the medieval latin term tabula rasa literally scraped tablet it is commonly attributed to the philosopher john locke 1632 1704 though in fact he used a different metaphor. The blank slate theory is a theory proposed by british philosopher john locke that human minds start off empty as blank slates and are filled in by personal experiences. According to locke thoughts begin by absorbing sensation and become more complex through reflection on what is sensed.
