Innate knowledge

Definition

Innate knowledge refers to the idea that certain concepts or truths are inherently present in the mind at birth, rather than being acquired through experience or sensory perception. This notion is important in understanding how we know certain things without needing to learn them explicitly, which links to ideas about the soul's immortality and the process of recollection.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Innate knowledge suggests that individuals possess understanding of certain universal truths without having learned them through experience.
2. In the context of Plato's philosophy, this idea supports arguments for the immortality of the soul, as it implies that the soul exists prior to birth and carries knowledge from previous lives.
3. The theory of recollection posits that learning is a matter of remembering what the soul already knows, thereby reinforcing the concept of innate knowledge.
4. Plato used mathematical concepts as examples of innate knowledge, arguing that individuals can grasp these truths intuitively even without formal teaching.
5. Socratic questioning often aimed to help individuals recall their innate knowledge, highlighting that education is less about acquiring new information and more about unlocking existing wisdom.

Review Questions

• How does the concept of innate knowledge relate to the theory of recollection in understanding human learning?
  • Innate knowledge closely aligns with the theory of recollection because it suggests that what we learn is not entirely new but rather a rediscovery of truths already embedded within our souls. According to Plato, learning occurs when we access this pre-existing knowledge, which indicates that education is more about guiding individuals to remember what they already know than imparting entirely new information. This connection emphasizes that our understanding emerges from an internal process rather than external teaching.
• Discuss how Plato's arguments for the immortality of the soul support the idea of innate knowledge.
  • Plato's arguments for the immortality of the soul bolster the idea of innate knowledge by asserting that since the soul exists before birth and persists after death, it must carry knowledge from its prior existence. This implies that certain truths are inherently known to us, and our current life is merely an opportunity to recollect these truths. The notion that we possess pre-existing knowledge suggests a profound connection between our identity and our experiences across different lifetimes.
• Evaluate how innate knowledge challenges traditional views on learning and education within a philosophical context.
  • Innate knowledge fundamentally challenges traditional views on learning by proposing that rather than acquiring knowledge solely through experience or instruction, humans have an inherent understanding waiting to be uncovered. This shifts the focus of education from merely transmitting information to facilitating self-discovery and critical thinking. Philosophically, it raises questions about how we define intelligence and learning, suggesting a more holistic approach where understanding is seen as an internal journey rather than just external input.

Related terms

Anamnesis: Anamnesis is the process of recollection, where the soul recalls knowledge that it has forgotten from previous existences, suggesting that knowledge is innate and accessible through introspection.

Immortality of the Soul: The immortality of the soul is the philosophical belief that the soul does not perish with the body and continues to exist, which supports the idea that it carries innate knowledge from past lives.

Platonic Forms: Platonic Forms are idealized concepts or archetypes that exist beyond our physical reality, and knowledge of these forms is believed to be innate within the soul, accessible through recollection.