Plato and Lockes Views on an Innate Idea Essay - 2118 Words

Plato and Lockes Views on an Innate Idea What is an innate idea? This can be defined as some idea or mental representation that is produced by outside perception or created anew by our imagination. It exists in the mind in virtue of the nature of the human mind. According to Plato most if not all of our knowledge is innate. However, John Locke feels that we do not have any innate ideas. Then the question arises of who is right or are they both wrong. In this paper I will attempt to examine the conflicting views of Plato and Locke. The problem that I will be dealing with involves the different views of Locke and Plato. The main focus of the paper will be to deal with†¦show more content†¦Like many others Meno believes he knows what the virtues are. However, Socrates is not pleased by Menos response to the question. Meno states that, it is easy to say that a mans virtue consists of being able to manage public affairs and in so doing to benefit his friends and harm his enemies and to be careful that no harm comes to himself. [Meno 71e] This is not pleasing to Socrates because Meno also finds that women have different virtues than a man. This topic alone would need an entire paper to finish therefore, I will move ahead with innate ideas of beings. Meno wants to know whether virtues can be learned or simply known. Can they be taught to people or do we just acquire the virtues? Socrates believes that ones soul or minds knows what one thinks he learns. As this question arises Socrates uses the slave boy example to explain. In this example Socrates has a slave boy look at a mathematical problem. After the boy looks at the problem he cannot work it. However, after being showed the problem and having it broken down the boy is able to give the right answer. Socrates begins by guiding the slave boy by drawing out the ideas that the slave boy already knows or are present in him. From this the slave boy uncovers that he has ideas that he did not know he had before the encounter with Socrates. Socrates shows that the boy has neverShow MoreRelatedPlato, Locke, And The Question Of Innate Ideas1829 Words   |  7 PagesPlato, Locke and the Question of Innate Ideas Plato and Locke have opposite opinions on the matter of innate ideas. Plato argues that the recognition of truth in reality is derived from the recollection of truth in the soul. A necessary part of Platos argument is that recollection of Truth depends upon the existence of an immortal soul. 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