Empiricism is a branch of philosophy that is said to have emerged with the theories of John Locke in the 1600s. It is a theory of knowledge that argues knowledge comes from lived experience, and it is one of the many notions about how we come to understand aspects or things in the world. It asserts that we come to understand the world through experiencing it and everything we know is the result of some kind of experience that we have previously had.
[...] Imagine if there were innate ideas, and then all of a sudden experienced proved these innate ideas to be wrong, which theory would likely be held to be true? Rationality would assume that the theory based on experience would then be thought to be the most plausible theory. If this is the case though, then, just as Locke argued, there is no need for Nativism, even if it were conceivable (which Locke does not say is possible) that innate ideas existed. Locke's theory of empiricism is very plausible and it would prove to be [...]
[...] His account is logical thus far, but as with any philosophical theory, he knew he needed to come up with a plausible account of how knowledge and understanding are acquired without the influence or possibility of innate ideas. He needed to discount any Nativists account in order for his empiricist theory to be held in the highest regard. Locke argued that Nativism was illegitimate and not needed, and he asserted that we would know it if we had innate ideas, and as such there would be worldwide recognition of these ideas. [...]
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