1. Concept Empiricist arguments against Concept Innatism
Today we will be considering the following criticisms of Concept Innatism:
Alternative explanations for proposed innate ideas.
Locke’s arguments against Innatism
Innatism’s reliance on the non-natural.

2. Descartes’ Trademark Argument: (use p.131 of Cardinal)
Homework - Alternative explanations for proposed innate ideas (due next lesson)
Descartes’ Trademark Argument: (use p.131 of Cardinal)
The proposed innate idea:
The empiricist alternative explanations:
Plato’s universals (use p.134 of Cardinal and p.148 of Lacewing)
The proposed innate ideas:
Descartes’ argument about Physical substance (use p.149 of Lacewing)
The empiricist alternative explanation:
Focus on the fact that the empiricist could argue that there is either no concept or that the concept was acquired through experience. Stretch: Do you think the empiricist is successful in each of these cases in arguing that the idea is actually gained through experience?

3. Recap on whiteboards

4. Locke vs. Leibniz

5. Locke’s arguments against Innatism
John Locke ( )
“Nothing is more commonly taken for granted than that certain principles... Are accepted by all mankind. Some people have argued that because these principles are (they think) universally accepted, they must have been stamped onto the souls of men from the outset.” An Essay Concerning Human Understanding.
Challenging the orthodox thinking of his day
Championing the scientific method as it attempted to free itself from religious doctrine.
Gottfried Wilhelm von Leibniz ( )
Philosopher, mathematician, scientist.
Leibniz published New Essays on Human Understanding as a direct response to Locke.

6. Complete you worksheet using blue book p.137- 143
For each of Locke’s criticisms of Innatism, make sure you have a short quote that links to the criticism (doesn’t have to be the whole quote in the box in the book)

7. Locke’s arguments against Innatism
Locke’s criticisms of Innate Ideas
Rationalist Responses
Criticism 1: The theory of innate ideas is unnecessary.
Criticism 2: No ideas are universally held, so none is innate.
Criticism 3: Transparency of ideas
Criticism 4: How can we distinguish innate ideas from other ideas?
Criticism 5: reliance on the supernatural

8. Watch: cw

9. Homework
Create a set of revision notes on everything we have done on Concept Empiricism. This should include:
All concepts are derived from experience
The tabula rasa
Impressions and ideas.
Simple and complex concepts.
Issues, including:
Concept innatism (rationalism): there are at least some innate concepts.
Descartes’ Trademark argument
Other examples of innate ideas such as universals (numbers, beauty, justice) and physical substance (Descartes’ wax).
Concept empiricist arguments against Concept Innatism.
Alternative explanations (no such concept or concept redefined as based on experiences).
Locke’s arguments against Innatism
Its reliance on the non-natural.