Date of Award
5-1931
Degree Type
Bachelors Essay
Degree Name
Bachelor of Arts (BA)
Department
Philosophy
First Advisor
William J. Grace
Abstract
The mere definition of an idea may not seem to have much bearing upon a system of philosophy. On the surface it may not appear as though it acts as a pivot upon which an epistemological theory revolves. Yet we cannot read any of the works of the English School and not see that is actually the case. Descartes, who was not of the English School, but who through his work supplied enough controversy to give rise to the School, formulated a theory of innate ideas; he used doubt as a method with the intention of doubting everything until he came to something he could not doubt. He incorporated that as a first principle-- ”I think, therefore I exist.” The logical deduction from that principle would be the theory of innate ideas and that is precisely Descartes' solution of the problem of knowledge.
Recommended Citation
Murphy, John H., "The Definition of the Idea -- John Locke" (1931). Bachelors’ Theses. 1962.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/bachelor_essays/1962
Comments
A Thesis submitted to the Faculty of the College of Liberal Arts, Marquette University in Partial Fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Bachelor of Philosophy, Milwaukee, Wisconsin