Leibniz

Question 1

How does Leibniz’s view differ to Locke’s

Answer 1

• believes that the senses are necessary for all knowledge but not sufficient, as some knowledge requires more than simple experience
• experience can only give us contingent truths not necessary truths
• our senses can merely confirm the knowledge we already has innately

Question 2

Explain Leibniz’s disagreement with Locke’s concept of the tabula rasa

Answer 2

• Leibniz claims that this violates the Principle of the Identity of Indiscernables (works against qualitatively identical atoms and qualitatively identical souls)
• claims that such a view only considers the soul as corporeal

Question 3

Explain how Leibniz’s attack on Locke’s tabula rasa can be a misinterpretation of his argument

Answer 3

The tabula rasa does not suggest that we are a complete blank slate rather we have capacities (eg: our ability to reflect) which are furnished with the knowledge we gain from experience and reflection