âAn Essay Concerning Human Understandingâ is philosopher John Locke's pioneering examination of the origins of human knowledge and understanding. First published in 1690, it set the agenda for modern philosophy and influenced psychology and political theory.
In âAn Essay Concerning Human Understanding. Volume Twoâ Locke discusses our use of language and its imperfections. He talks of the âAbuse of Wordsâ and laments the creation of words with no distinct meaning.
The book also covers Lockeâs ideas on truth, judgement, probability, enthusiasm and reason. His radical theories on the nature of human knowledge and where it comes from went on to change the face of philosophy.
Regarded as Lockeâs most powerful and important philosophical work, âAn Essay on Human Understandingâ still resonates today.
John Locke (1632-1704) was an English philosopher and political theorist, whose work built the foundations of modern liberalism, political theory and economics. Commonly known as the "Father of Liberalism" he is widely regarded as one of the most influential Enlightenment thinkers.
Lockeâs ideas on âidentityâ and âselfâ and the notion we are born with a âblank slateâ, helped shape the work of philosophers such as Kant, Rousseau and Voltaire, while his essays on religious tolerance were an early model for the separation of church and state.
The American Declaration of Independence was influenced by Lockeâs political ideas on government, creating the foundation for the freedoms enjoyed by Americans today.