Book description
In An Essay Concerning Human Understanding, first published in 1690,
John Locke (1632-1704) provides a complete account of how we acquire
everyday, mathematical, natural scientific, religious and ethical
knowledge. Rejecting the theory that some knowledge is innate in us,
Locke argues that it derives from sense perceptions and experience, as
analysed and developed by reason. While defending these central claims
with vigorous common sense, Locke offers many incidental - and highly
influential - reflections on space and time, meaning, free will and
personal identity. The result is a powerful, pioneering work, which,
together with Descartes's works, largely set the agenda for modern
philosophy.
John Locke (1632-1704) was educated at Christ Church, Oxford and held
various academic posts at that university, lecturing on Greek and
rhetoric. However, his interests lay in medicine and the new
experimental sciences and in 1667 he became personal physician to the
Earl of Shaftesbury. Under the influence of Shaftesbury, Locke
developed his ideas on politics, property, trade, monarchy and the
mind. Shaftesbury became a bitter opponent of Charles II and was
involved in the plot of 1683. This forced Locke to flee in exile to
Holland, but he returned after 1688 and began to publish his most
famous works. He wrote also on tehology, education, and in defence of
religous tolerance, while founding the analytic philosophy of the mind.
Roger Woolhouse is Professor of Philosophy at the University of
York. He has also edited George Berkeley's Principles of Human
Knowledge and Three Dialogues Between Hylas and Philonous for Penguin Classics.
