Locke essay concerning

Such diversity of religious and moral opinion cannot not be explained by the doctrine of innate ideas but can be explained, Locke held, on his own account of the origins of ideas. In Book II he turns to that positive account.

In his prefatory chapter, Locke explains that the Essay is not offered as a contribution to knowledge itself but as a means of clearing away some of the intellectual rubbish that stands in the way of knowledge. He had in mind not only the medieval Scholastics and their followers but also some of his older contemporaries.

He set down the principles of modern English empiricism. An Essay Concerning Human Understanding (1690)- An inquiry into the nature of knowledge that attempts to settle what questions hu- man understanding is and is not equipped to handle. Locke states that all knowledge is derived from experience and the use of the five senses.

John Locke Locke, John (1632-1704)- English philosopher who had a tremendous influ- ence on human knowledge and on political theory. He set down the principles of modern English empiricism.