What theory of knowledge do you agree with? Do you think Socrates theory
that all knowledge is innate and that through reasoning we can access
knowledge or John Locke's theory that the mind is a blank slate and we
access knowledge through experience? Please tell me why you feel this
way and use examples to support your reasoning. One of your reasons has to be supported with scripture.
If you are interested in a read, here is the Wikipedia site on the plan
crash in the Andes Mountains we talked about in class on Friday!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uruguayan_Air_Force_Flight_571
I agree with both Socrates, and John Locke; because in a way I feel as if both of them are right. I agree with Socrates because I too believe that we are born with some kind of knowledge, and understanding but also we don't reason completely from facts but also from personal experiences. Locke Believes that we are born with no sense of any kind of innate knowledge and understanding but that we gain it throughout life and personal experiences and I agree with him when he says we learn from personal experiences, because if we never try we'll never know, if we never mess up we'll never learn. Adam and Eve were told to not eat the apple of the tree by God, but were decieved by the devil and fell into temptation and ate it and after, they learned what they did was wrong because of the consequences. This might sound like a silly example of why I think we ARE born with some type of knowledge but when kids are little if they don't get something they throw a tantrum thinking that will make them get what they want. Almost as if they are testing their parents and when it works they realize thats what they need to do, Or when kids are hungry they know to ask for food rather then sit and wait for the hunger to go away or just be fed. Unlike Going to the bathroom, kids have to be potty trained because they dont know they have a specific place to do it when they need too; they just do it whenever they need too because its human nature. Therefore I think both are right, just in different ways.
ReplyDeleteWhen I read the assignment I was debating with myself which person to choose because I agree with some things Socrates says and also with some things John Locke says both to an extent. Socrates believed that all humans are born with all knowledge. Which is right and wrong at the same time. For example, a baby knows when it's in pain and when its hungry, but he/she doesn't know where it's next meal is coming from or where he/she is going to sleep at night but as they grow they learn more and more which starts to fall more into John Lockes belief. John Locke believes that you were born with a blank slate and learn as you grow which is true and false. False because when your born you know certain things, not nothing at all. True because you dont know everything when your born. In John 8:32 it says, "and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." The key word in this verse to me was 'will' know, that let me know that you don't know everything but with time you will know a lot more that when you first were born. So, I agree with both philosophers in some aspects.
ReplyDeleteI agree with both Socrates and Locke. Socrates says that humans are born with knowledge and through reasoning they can acess it. I believe this is true because I believe that God created us all in His own Image and God is all knowing and full of knowledge so he wont create us to be stupid and knowing nothing even if it is for a little while as babies. As a baby though through reasoning they quickly find out that if they cry they get what they want. The problem with that example is it also works with what John Locke says which is the mind is a blank state and that you gain knowledge through experiance. Through experiance babies learn that when they cry they mostly get what they want and as they grow a little older through experiance they learn their parents reaction and will start doing in out purpose. When they are first born it is out of instict, they don't know any better but through experiance they learn. Proverbs 8:9 says "They are all straight to him who understands and right to those you find knowledge." When it says "find knowledge" that means that we weren't born with all the knowledge we would every have but will find it. So I do agree with both because God didn't make us knowing nothing but we gain more knowledge through our experiances.
ReplyDeleteI agree with both Socrates and Locke. For Socrates theory I believe that when we are born we aren't taught how to breathe, cry, open our eyes, etc. it's a knowledge we already possess because God has provided us with it to live. Genesis 1:27 says "God created mankind in his own image,in the image of God he created them." To me this verse show that we were made in the image of God and are made with the knowledge that we need. To go with Locke's theory that we are born with a blank slate of a mind, we aren't born knowing all things. At a day old we do not possess the knowledge we will need to know in ten years. We are born with the knowledge that we need at the time. As we get older our minds take in more knowledge by what we experience. As an example, kids learn what they can and can't get away with when they are little,their mind is growing to know what is and isn't okay. so when the kid gets in trouble for something they now have a new understanding and knowledge for what is right and wrong. So I agree with both Socrates and Locke because we are not born knowing everything we need to know for life but we gain knowledge as we grow and experience life.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Socrates more then I do with Locke because we are born with some knowledge. God has installed in us a knowledge to learn. All babies cry when they are hungry,tired or need there diapers changed. And as we grow we learm more and caught on to things which I think is knowledge itself. 2 Chronicles 1:12 says "therefore wisdom and knowledge will be given you." God even tells us he gave us knowledge. I believe he gave us knowledge to prove how powerful he is and how complex our lifes are. We learn how do walk,talk, eat and other things because we have knowledge to comprehend them we we are taught. Although, Locke makes a good point when he says we learn through experiences. Once a little kid does something wrong and gets in trouble they are most likely not to do it again.
ReplyDeleteI agree with socrates when he says that we are born with knowledge and through reasoning can access it. But i believe that the knowledge at birth is very limited and that Locke is right about gaining knowledge through experiences. All babies know how to cry and sleep and eat. As we grow we continue to have experiences and seek out knowledge. We have to seek the knowledge, we dont just have it handed to us. In Proverbs 8:10 it says "Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choise gold". We must seek the knowledge of God in our lives.
ReplyDeleteI agree with both Socrates and Locke. I agree with Socrates because us humans are born with knowledge. When we were born, we weren't taught how to cry, sleep, eat, yawn, etc. We already knew how to do that. When something sad happens, we weren't taught to cry. Crying is just a reaction, something we all do without thinking of it. Also, I believe Locke because then again when we are born, we don't know how to walk, it takes years for a child to learn through experiences like Locke says. As we grow and get older, we learn certain things that we weren't born knowing. Proverbs 1:5 says "Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance" When it says increase in learning that means we learn more as we grow, we will never know everything. So as I say that, both Socrates and Locke are right and I agree with both. Their explanations just apply to different situations.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Socrates more than I agree with Locke. Even though I do think both are right, Socrates believed that humans were born with knowledge. As a believer of the Bible, Genesis 1:27 says "so God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female He created them." God is omniscient, meaning that He knows everything there is to know. So if God created us in his own image, we definitely have knowledge. Of course, we will never have Gods knowledge but knowledge we need at that time. After being born, a baby knows how to cry, eat, and sleep. This is self knowledge, we were not taught how to do anything. Locke believed that we were born with a blank slate and that individuals gain knowledge through their experiences. I also agree with this because when we were born, we didn't know how to do everything. Such as walking or talking. So through experience, we start to gain more and more knowledge as we grow.
ReplyDeleteI agree with both Socrates and Locke. It all just depends on how you translate the term 'knowledge'. According to Socrates, we are born with knowledge and throughout life we access it. Yes, we are born with knowledge. Knowledge in dealing with how to control our reactions and body. Such as: Crying, smiling, laughing,how to move, etc. Also, we are born with knowledge in being capable of sinning. In Psalm 51:5 it says, "Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conveived me." Even when we are born, we are still capable of sinning. Sinning as in not obeying what our parents say, wanting things our way, not being satisfied with what is given to us; simple things like that. Later on we 'access' more knowledge through experiences & from mistakes. According to Locke, we are born with no knowledge and we learn as we grow. In a sense yes that is true as well because disregarding the knowledge we already know, there is much more still to learn: About God, education, right from wrong, etc. In Proverbs chapter 4 it explains how we need to follow our Father's instruction to gain knowledge and wisdom. In Proverbs 4:1&2 it says, "Hear, O sons, a father's instruction, and be attentive, that you may gain insight, for I give you good precepts." In verses 4&5 it says, "he taught me and said to me, 'Let your heart hold fast my words; keep my commandments, and live. Get wisdom; get insight; do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth'."In conclusion, we are born with some knowledge, but throughout life and experiences we learn more and more.
ReplyDeleteI think that Socrates and John Locke are both partially correct and also partially incorrect. I don’t believe humans are born already programmed to do everything they’ll ever need to do in life, nor do I believe that they learn everything from experience. I think babies are born with a very basic knowledge that allows them to cry, eat, drink, and sleep. In other words, their mind has enough knowledge to let the body know when it needs something. I think that the rest of their knowledge comes from watching other people. Babies hear their parents and other people talking, which teaches them how to talk. The same goes for walking, eating solid food, and other more advanced behaviors that the individual learns as they grow older and become more self-sufficient. Another knowledge I believe humans are born with is the knowledge that something is missing. It seems that all people feel an emptiness inside themselves, and as a result, try to fill the empty place with earthly things. However, what they’re looking for can’t be found in the world because that thing is God. Acts 17: 24-28 explains this concept. “The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, for ‘In him we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are indeed his offspring.’” This verse shows that God creates people and places them on the earth according to what will make them seek him. It is a direct explanation of why I believe what I do because it shows that humans are born knowing that they need something, but have to gain knowledge from experience to learn what the thing they need is.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Socrates that we are born with knowledge and through reasoning we can access it. It says in Genesis 1:26, Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness." Because of this verse I believe we have some knowledge of right and wrong. I think that when we are little we know when we do something wrong even though we may not fully understand why. As we get older we then understand why it's wrong. I also agree with John Locke who says that individuals gain knowledge through their experiences. It says in Daniel 4:12, "many shall run to and fro,and knowledge shall be increased." I believe that this supports the theory that we are not born with all the knowledge that we will ever have. From my personal experience I grow in knowledge everyday wether it's from sports, school, church or just talking to family and friends. The fact that I learn something new everyday shows me that I'm not born with all knowledge.
ReplyDeleteI was reading through Socrate's and Locke's theorys I have to agree with both. We were created with a knowledge of God. AS a refrence in Romans 1:20 and 2:14-15,we were born with the knowledge of God and given a conscience. In Romans 1:20 is says "For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities-his eternal power and divine nature-have clearlyseen,being understood from what has been made,so that men are without excuse". Romans 2:14-15 says "(Indeed,when Gentiles,who do not have the law,do by nature things required by law,they are a law for themselves,even though they do not have the law, sincethey show that the requirements of the laware written on their hearts,their consciences also bearing witness,and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them.) For example, babies were born knowing how to eat,sleep,cry,etc. but they were not born knowing how to educate themselves. So both Socrates and Locke both have a point but I dont agree with them fully.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Socrates because I believe that each child has to be born with at least some knowledge, such as nursing, crying, and screaming. Each child has different learning paces and ablilities but I do not think that the mind is just blank at first. However, I do agree with Locke when he says that we learn from experiences around us. Every day the child will grow more mature, have more abilities, and be learning through their experiences. Proverbs 4 tells us "Hear, O sons, a father's instruction, and be attentive, that you may gain insight" which shows us that even God says that we learn from the people around us and from Him. He does not create babies to come out talking but He also does not create them not having any sense of anything at all. He has a balance between nothing and complete knowledge. Even after people are grown up, they are continuously learning new information. It never stops.
ReplyDeleteI believe some theories of both Socrates and Aristotle. I agree with the idea of Dualism, the idea that the mind(soul) and body are separate, as well as the idea that we are born with some knowledge. I do not believe that we are born with all knowledge, however we observe our surroundings and learn from them. You are not born with the ability to read at a high school level, you learn how to over time. You are born with the knowledge and ability to breathe, eat, sleep, and cry, which assures us that we are created by an intelligent designer, God. God made us in His image, which is not a blank slate. In Isaiah 41:20 assures us that we and our surroundings are created by God, “so that people may see and know, may consider and understand, that the hand of the LORD has done this, that the Holy One of Israel has created it(NIV)”.
ReplyDeleteWhen I first read this question I thought I agreed with both Socrates and Aristotle because they both made sense. But as I thought about it more, I agree with the theory of Socrates. It seems very possible to me that God created us with the ability to understand and then provides us with knowledge as we seek it. Sometimes I think we seek it consciously and othertimes unconsciously. I beleive that from the time we are born to the time we die, knowledge is ours if we want it. I believe that without even knowing it, when we are young we cry because we understand pain and fear through the knowledge we receive from God. In Daniel 2:21 it is written, "He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding". So I agree with Socrates theory of knowledge, that all knowledge is innate and that through reasoning we can access knowledge.
ReplyDeleteI, being the outstanding student athlete that I am, have paid attention in class and done some research relating this contriversal subject. I do agree with Socrates' theory and the idea of Dualism. If humans were not born with any kind of knowlege then when we come out the womb as a baby we would just sit there motionless and without breathing. We would eventually die because we dont know how to breath or do anything; some knowlege just comes natural. I also agree with Aristotle that knowlege is developed through observing the physical world. When we're born we don't know how to tie our shoes, speak french, play water polo, or how to dougie, so somebody has to teach us those things. We learn by watching and obsverving others. I believe the body and the spirit(Soul/mind) are seperate because when a person dies their physical body stays on earth but their spirit goes to heaven(hopefully).Ephesians 4:4-6 reads, "There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."
ReplyDeleteI believe in certain aspects of both Socrates' and John Locke's assumptions. In Socrates' assumptions I believe in his theory of Dualism, the idea that the body and the mind and separate and not just one together, since it is the foundation for Christianity after all. But I do not believe that we are born with extreme knowledge of the world but that we are born with the knowledge of knowing how to sleep and breathe. As for John Locke's assumption I do believe in the theory that we as individuals gain knowledge through our experiences but I do not believe our mind is a blank slate because how else would we be able to sleep or breathe as infants. In Proverbs 4:1-2 of the Bible it says "Hear, O sons, a father's instruction, and be attentive, that you may gain insight, for I give you good precepts; do not forsake my teaching"(ESV). This verse proves to me that we are not born with intense knowledge but simple knowledge and the only way to learn knowledge is by listening, experiencing and by watching.
ReplyDeleteI think that Socrates and Locke's theories are partially correct. Socrates is right when he says that all humans are born with some knowledge. Psalm 51:5-6 confirms his theory, "Surely i was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb; you taught me wisdom in that secret place(NIV)". Also i believe that dualism is also correct in the way that our mind and body are separate. John Locke was correct in the way that we obtain wisdom and knowledge through everyday life experiences. We also obtain knowledge from the teachings of God and men. He was wrong in saying that we are born with absolutely no knowledge and sinful behavioral nature. Psalm 51:5-6 proves that he is wrong because David is saying that God gave him wisdom while he was still in his mother's womb. For example all people are born with a natural tendency to eat, cry and even disobey their parents due to a sinful nature that is inherited since the fall of Adam.
ReplyDeleteI believe Socrates and Locke are both correct to an extent. I believe in Socrates idea of Dualism is correct. I believe that our body and soul are separate and that when we die our bodies are left and our souls go to heaven or hell, depending if you're a believer or not. Socrates was also right with the idea that we are born with knowledge but no everything like he believes. We are born with the basic essential functions like breathing, sleeping, eating, and crying. We are never taught these things yet we know how to do them from birth. On the other hand Locke was somewhat right in this thought of gaining knowledge through our experiences, yet we are not a blank slate. We do have to learn most of our knowledge through our life but not everything. In Proverbs 2:6 it states "For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding" We are not born with wisdom, yet it is given to us by God. When God speaks to us He is giving us knowledge and understanding.
ReplyDeleteLets try this again..
ReplyDeleteI too believe in both Socrates and Lockes theories. Straight out of the womb i knew how to breathe, cry, eat, blink, and most importantly, live. Now this concept supports Socrates theory. I also agree with Socrates in that the mind and body are separate. I am constantly thinking of things i shouldnt do, but not always do i actually do them. on the other hand, John Locke's theory is also somewhat correct because every day i learn something, rather it's through my mistakes, or others, i am constantly learning new things. I do lean more towards Socrates theory because we all are born with at least some sort of knowledge. In Proverbs 1:5, "Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance." It does support both theories in one way. We all do sometime or another increase our learning, whether its that we already have knowledge and we just grow with it, or we have absolute zero knowledge and we eventually learn to grow from there.
I agree with Locke and Socrates because knowledge can be innate yet we can also gain knowledge through experience. When a child is born they are not taught how to cry or how to eat. That knowledge has already been instilled in them by God. Locke believed that we are born with a blank slate and that we can access knowledge through experience. This is also true because as we grow we constantly gain more knowledge. When we are born we don't automatically know how the ride a bike but this knowledge is retained by experience. We learn how to write and walk yet we were born with the ability to cry when hungry and sleep when tired. In Romans 8:11 Paul says, Moreover, if the spirit of the one who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, this one who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies through his spirit who dwells within you. This passage is saying that Jesus dwells within us so if Jesus dwells in us He is able to give us the knowledge we need when we seek it. The scripture also says that Jesus gives life to our worldly body's meaning that our mind and soul are separate. When we die our earthly body's stay on earth and our soul's are reunited with God.
ReplyDeleteAs Iv'e studied this very articulate question I have come to many conclusion but through pure faith in my knowledge i have surely narrowed it down to one. Although i believe it is true that when babies are born there was no one to teach them how to cry or eat, I do not believe that this is pure knowledge. I believe these are just natural reactions of a baby. I agree with John Locke's theory the mind is a blank slate containing no innate knowledge also known as "Tabula Rasa". I strongly feel this way because all through out life as you grow you are pretty much taught everything from how to count to how to read. If knowledge were already instilled in us at birth what would be the reasoning for attending school through out our whole lives? I also believe in Aristotle's theory that knowledge is developed through observing the physical world and using reasoning to make sense of the physical world. This reasoning squarely supports my first answer because to gain knowledge by observing the physical world the mind would have to be a blank slate. An example of this would be like in life. We see criminals on the news everyday and the crimes they commit. We gain knowledge of what to do and what not to do by observing others choices. Knowledge comes from understanding and before you understand something you must first learn it. In Proverbs 15:14 it says " The hearts of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly".
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ReplyDeletehahahahaa ^ .. i shall be submitting my rather intellectual response momentarily
ReplyDeleteAhem well after throughly analyzing this perplexing question i've came to the conclusion that both of these individuals had a very strong proposal towards the development of human knowledge. Answering the question on whether I agree with Socrates or Locke, plain and simple I'm putting my faith towards Locke. I'm not at all saying that what Socrates theorized was false but I feel the need to lean towards Locke's theory to a greater extent. I feel like it is very important for someone to have a previous experience on something to fully understand the concept on anything you wish to know. For example: What i took from Socrates' theory is that we are all born with knowledge but in order to actually access that knowledge you would basically have to read. I'm not sure if what i think about that is right, but my reason of leaning more towards Locke's theory is because you can read as many books on the Grand Canyon as you would like but when you actually see it your prior knowledge that you got from reading is no comparision on actually seeing it up close. It's more beautiful and vibrant in person than looking at a snap shot in a book. The bible verse that seems to correlate with my response is 1 Corinthians 10:11 Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come (ESV). I believe that Paul is describing the same concept that Locke. By learning from experience and going through something in the past the people of Corinth now have gained "knowledge". Again this is my viewpoint on "knowledge" and my reasons for supporting the "blank state of mind". -Ini Ndoh
ReplyDeleteI believe in John Locke's theory of "Tubula Rasa" that the mind is a blank slate containing no innate knowledge and that individuals gain their knowledge through experiences. I believe in his theory and not Socarates because people aren't born with knowledge of right or wrong, or any knowledge at that. People gain their knowledge through watching other people do things or experiencing it themselves. In Genesis 2:17 God tells Adam and Eve that they may not eat of the tree of Knowledge of good and evil. If he did not tell them that they wouldn't have known not to eat the fruit from that tree, which proves they had no prior knowledge of the tree and had to learn through that experience that they couldn't eat from that tree. As people grow older and mature all the things they know we're learned through their experiences or instructions given to them. No one is born with knowledge which proves that Socrates theory is wrong and all knowledge humans receive is gained through experience.
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