Tabula Rasa: A Clean Slate
Tabula rasa is a Latin term that means “clean slate.” It is often used in modern English to describe an opportunity to start over with something new or clean. It can also be used to refer to a person’s mind before it has been influenced by others.
The Origins and Misconceptions
There is a widespread belief that the concept of tabula rasa originated with the 17th century philosopher John Locke and that it signifies a zero point in the development of the human mind, where there is no form. However, this image of a blank slate has a long history and was not first used by Locke.
Locke's Contributions
In Locke’s Essay Concerning Human Understanding, he refuted the idea that human beings were born with innate ideas about the world and instead argued that all human knowledge was acquired from experience alone. In his work, he also asserted that knowledge is formed based on both sensation (internal) and reflection (external).
Influence on Empiricism
The concept of tabula rasa originated in the philosophy of empirical epistemology in the late seventeenth century. It was influential in the development of the scientific theory of empiricism, which holds that knowledge can be gained only through experience or sensory perception.
Debates and Modern Perspective
Although many scientists today still believe that humans are born with an innate sense of right and wrong, they do not agree that human minds are tabula rasa from birth. Some scientists, such as psychologist Michael Howe, have disputed the idea that all people have a predisposition toward one specific type of behavior.
It is also important to remember that even if you have a particular personality trait, such as an aversion to meat, this doesn’t mean you’re born with it. It is possible for you to change your associations with these things, if you have the willpower.
Aversion Therapy: Breaking Free
Aversion therapy is a technique that aims to help people associate undesirable behaviors with things they find pleasant. It is a very common practice in psychology and can be beneficial in some cases.
Similarly, a person can use aversion therapy to get rid of destructive behaviors that they may have learned while they were younger. These are typically the type of behaviors that are associated with pleasure and can be difficult to break free from, such as a person with an alcohol use disorder who associates drinking with having fun.
Tabula Rasa in Art and Education
Another example of a person with a tabula rasa is an artist who does not have a clear vision of the work they are creating. They may have a mental picture of what they want to create, but the process of putting that vision on paper is not an easy task.
Historical Perspective: Ibn Tufail's Feral Child
In the 12th century, Andalusian-Islamic philosopher Ibn Tufail depicted a feral child on an island that developed his mental capabilities from tabula rasa to an adult through experience alone. This idea was used to explain how a person can learn a skill by observing the animals that surround them and using those skills in their daily lives.
