03 - Leibniz' Response to Locke (copy)

what does leibniz claim about innate knowledge (general principles)

we use general principles universally, without thinking consciously about the principle itself

example of one of these principles

it is impossible for something to be and not be at the same time

locke claims that we experience specific cases before we deploy the principle - how does leibniz respond

we unconsciously deploy our knowledge of the abstract principle

how does leibmiz argue for unconscious knowledge

knowledge may be something we are not always unconscious of, like memory storing knowledge

how can locke object to knowledge stored by memory being different from innate knowledge

if we have a memory of knowing something, we were at some point conscious of it

if we follow through locke’s claim about memory and knowledge, what are we led back to

that we have to be conscious of innate knowledge

does leibniz think innate knowledge is just a capacity

no, its more than that

how does leibniz understand innate knowledge

a disposition towards knowing and developing certain thoughts and udnerstandings

what about this predisposition is different from just a capacity

predisposed to employing certain principles in some ways rather than others

what does leibniz use as a metaphor for the mind

veined block of marble

what is leibniz’ final claim regarding innate knowledge and necessary truths

the actual knowledge of necessary truths isn’t innate. what is innate is the potential knowledge. the human mind, from birth, has a certain natural grain