Unit 3: British Empiricism
Table of Contents
John Locke: Refutation of Innate Ideas
John Locke (1632–1704) founded British Empiricism by attacking the Rationalist belief in Innate Ideas (ideas allegedly present in the mind from birth).
The Tabula Rasa
Locke argued that at birth, the mind is a Tabula Rasa—a blank slate. All knowledge comes from Experience, which has two sources:
- Sensation: External experience (e.g., seeing yellow, feeling cold).
- Reflection: Internal experience (e.g., thinking, doubting, willing).
"Nothing is in the intellect which was not first in the senses."
Arguments Against Innate Ideas
- No Universal Consent: Principles like "Whatever is, is" are not known by children or "idiots," proving they aren't universal or innate.
- Knowledge Requires Effort: If ideas were innate, we wouldn't need to learn or discover them.
John Locke: Representationalism
Locke’s theory of knowledge is called Representationalism or the Mediate Theory of Perception. He argues that the mind does not perceive external objects directly, but only the ideas (mental representations) of those objects.
Primary vs. Secondary Qualities
| Feature | Primary Qualities | Secondary Qualities |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Inseparable from the object. | Powers to produce sensations in us. |
| Objectivity | Objective (really in the object). | Subjective (depend on the observer). |
| Examples | Shape, Size, Motion, Number. | Color, Sound, Taste, Smell. |
George Berkeley: Subjective Idealism
Berkeley (1685–1753) accepted Locke’s empiricism but rejected his belief in material substance, leading to Subjective Idealism.
"Esse est Percipi" — To be is to be perceived.
Refutation of Matter
Berkeley argued that if secondary qualities (like color) are subjective, primary qualities (like shape) must also be subjective, as we cannot imagine a shape without color. Therefore, "matter" does not exist; only minds and ideas exist.
The Role of God
If objects only exist when perceived, why don't things disappear when we close our eyes? Berkeley answers that God is the permanent perceiver who keeps all ideas in existence.
David Hume: Skepticism
Hume (1711–1776) carried empiricism to its logical extreme, resulting in Skepticism.
Impressions and Ideas
Hume divides all mental contents into two categories:
- Impressions: Vivid and forceful perceptions (hearing, seeing, feeling).
- Ideas: Faint images of impressions in thinking and reasoning.
Attack on Causality and Substance
Hume famously argued that we have no impression of "Cause" or "Self". We only see one event following another (contiguity) and develop a habit of expecting the effect, but there is no logical or sensory proof of Necessary Connection.
"Custom is the great guide of human life."
Exam Focus Enhancements
Mnemonic for British Empiricists (L.B.H.)
Locke: Limited (Matter exists but we only see ideas).
Berkeley: Banished (Matter is banished; only ideas exist).
Hume: Havoc (Doubted everything; skepticism).
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why does Hume reject the 'Self'?
A: He says when he looks inside, he finds only a "bundle of perceptions" (heat, cold, light, shade) but never a permanent "Self".
Q: What is the 'Missing Shade of Blue'?
A: A rare exception Hume admits where an idea might be formed without a direct preceding impression.