John Locke

on the 17th Century Scientific Revolution, I would like you to select one of the “new learning methodologies” from below and argue in favor or against its principles.  Please focus your 250 word analysis on your own personal thoughts – how you apply the methodology’s philosophy to your own life.

The 17th century was an age of scientific discovery and development.  During the Scientific Revolution (1600-1750), scientists began to demystify nature; the new learning provided a methodology for more accurately describing and predicting its operations.  Many scientists came to believe that scientia (Latin word for “knowledge”) existed separate and from divine power and authority.

Amongst the New Learning Methodologies: 

John Locke (not the character from Lost) – defended the empirical tradition by claiming that all ideas came from sensation and reflection (sensory experiences).  According to Locke, the human mind at birth is a tabula rasa (“blank slate”) upon which only experience – consisting of sensation, followed by reflection – leads to human knowledge.