Descartes and Locke are doubtful about knowledge. Descartes went to school and received an education, however questioned what he had learned in school. He believed that school can be helpful even if it doesn’t go far enough. School is only a small part of one’s life. He obtained education from “excellent books.” Nevertheless, he emphasized that “books should not be the basis of our knowledge” (Descartes, 3).  Learning is everywhere and one shouldn’t solely rely on books. He believed that there was so much to learn and he needed to know. He asked questions that schools didn’t have the answers for. This led him to believe that school wasn’t going to help in the future because he wasn’t getting answers. As soon as Descartes finished school, he found himself in many doubts and he was “convinced [he] had [not] advanced no farther” (Descartes, 1). He was still ignorant and naïve and wanted to know what the world was about. Descartes main ideology is that knowledge relies on absolute certainty and that some principles are known by humans.

Locke doesn’t believe that there is certain knowledge. He believes that “all ideas come from sensation and reflection” and that all knowledge is founded on experience (Locke, 2) John Locke questions philosophers like René Descartes. Locke argues that the human mind doesn’t have innate, intuitive ideas but much rather humans are born with reasoning.  Locke believes that humans are not born with basic principles of logic such as a triangle has three sides because these ideas are innate. Locke criticizes the possibility of innate theoretical principles. Locke’s response to the idea of innate ideas is that it is unclear. He questions the whole concept and believes that it is impossible for something to be in the mind without one being aware of it. He concludes that in order for something to be in the mind, to be mental, it has to be conscious. Locke analyzes the problems of memory. People are not conscious of memories however they are in the mind. There is also non-conscious principles and knowledge. In order for innate ideas to get into the mind we had at one time to be conscious and aware of these memories. Locke criticizes the chances of innate principles. He questions the theories and emphasizes that if in fact there are any innate principles, then everyone would agree to them. There are no principles that everyone agrees upon therefore, there are no innate principles. Locke is very meticulous in indicating that there are no principles to which everyone would agree upon. He proves his proof as a logical argument: the nativist (believes in the existence of innate principles) believes that there are certain theoretical principles to which everyone would agree to which Locke disagrees.

The human mind is a perplex concept in which triggers one to interpret it in different light. There are numerous amounts of perspective on the human mind. With so many philosophies and ideologies of the mind, many ideas contradict and even question one’s thoughts. John Locke questions philosophers like René Descartes. Locke argues that the human mind doesn’t have innate, intuitive ideas but much rather humans are born with reasoning.  Locke believes that humans are not born with basic principles of logic such as a triangle has three sides because these ideas are innate. Locke criticizes the possibility of innate theoretical principles.

        I agree with Locke to an extent. I believe that humans are born with some type of knowledge for example, knowing who our mom is. Nevertheless, we aren’t born with common sense instantly when we are born. We gain common sense as we get older and exposed to more things in life. We instantly don’t know that fire is hot. We use our senses to figure that out and by others telling us that fire is hot. Simple knowledge like that isn’t gained when we are just born. It takes time for us to realize the little things. Another example is we don’t believe in God immediately after we are born. We learn about God through our parents and peers. After learning about God, we then choose to believe or not believe in God. Innate ideas don’t just come to the human mind. Not all ideas are directly linked to the mind.