Innate knowledge

Definition

Innate knowledge refers to the idea that certain concepts, beliefs, or understandings are present in the human mind from birth, rather than being learned through experience. This concept is often linked to the notion that individuals possess an inherent understanding of fundamental truths, which can be 'recalled' through the process of recollection, a central theme in discussions about knowledge and learning.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Plato believed that the soul is immortal and contains all knowledge, suggesting that learning is a matter of recalling what we already know.
2. Innate knowledge plays a crucial role in Plato's theory of education, where he argues that teaching should help students recollect their inherent understanding rather than simply provide new information.
3. In Plato's dialogue 'Meno', he illustrates innate knowledge through a conversation with a slave boy who, through guided questioning, arrives at geometric truths he has never been taught.
4. The distinction between innate knowledge and learned knowledge raises important questions about the nature of human understanding and education in philosophical debates.
5. Plato's views on innate knowledge contrast sharply with those of empiricists like John Locke, who argue that the mind is a 'tabula rasa', or blank slate, at birth.

Review Questions

• How does Plato illustrate the concept of innate knowledge in his dialogues?
  • Plato illustrates innate knowledge through examples such as the dialogue 'Meno', where he shows a slave boy being guided to discover geometric truths without formal education. This process highlights Plato's belief that knowledge is already within us and that education should facilitate its recollection. The use of questioning leads the boy to arrive at conclusions that demonstrate his inherent understanding, reinforcing the notion of innate knowledge.
• Discuss the implications of innate knowledge on educational practices according to Plato's philosophy.
  • According to Plato's philosophy, if innate knowledge exists, then educational practices should focus on helping students recall what they already know rather than merely imparting new information. This implies that teachers should act as facilitators who guide students through questioning and dialogue to uncover their existing understanding. Such an approach fosters deeper learning and critical thinking by emphasizing the importance of self-discovery and intellectual engagement.
• Evaluate how the concept of innate knowledge challenges empiricist views on learning and understanding.
  • The concept of innate knowledge presents a significant challenge to empiricist views, particularly those proposed by philosophers like John Locke. While empiricists argue that all knowledge arises from sensory experiences, Plato's idea suggests that certain truths exist independently of experience and can be recalled through recollection. This debate raises profound questions about the origins of knowledge: Is our understanding shaped solely by what we encounter in the world, or do we possess an intrinsic awareness of certain fundamental truths? Engaging with these opposing perspectives encourages a deeper analysis of how we come to know what we know.

Related terms

Recollection: The process by which individuals access and bring forth knowledge that is already within them, often described as a form of remembering rather than learning.

Forms: In Platonic philosophy, these are the idealized and perfect representations of concepts or objects, which are known innately and serve as the basis for understanding the material world.

Empiricism: The philosophical theory that all knowledge comes from sensory experience, contrasting with the idea of innate knowledge.