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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Locke say the mind is before it has experiences?

2. What claim is Locke attacking in "Essay Concerning Human Understanding"?

3. Which predecessor is Locke attacking with his discussion of understanding?

4. What standard would an idea have to meet to be considered innate?

5. Where do ideas come from, according to Locke?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Locke define practical principles?

2. In what way is knowledge limited, according to Locke?

3. Describe Locke's account of the primary and secondary qualities of things.

4. How does Locke say ideas come to us?

5. In what way is understanding limited, according to Locke?

6. How is duration developed from simple ideas, according to Locke?

7. How does Locke define the faculty of perception?

8. What arguments does Locke make against Descartes' philosophy?

9. How does Locke define discerning?

10. How does Locke use the concept of number in his discussion of primary qualities?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the beginning of "Essay Concerning Human Understanding," Locke says that variability in people's ideas undermines the possibility of innate knowledge. Analyzing Locke's writing, describe how Locke accounts for variability in his own philosophy. How does he keep it from being a disruptive force in his own philosophy?

Essay Topic 2

How does Locke protect his philosophy against the skepticism of Hume and Descartes? What arguments specifically does he refute, and what arguments does he leave himself open to? (Do you think the question of whether innate knowledge exists can be answered?)

Essay Topic 3

Write a character sketch of the author based on his style and content. What values does he hold dear? What are his hopes and fears? What kind of person do you think he is? Anchor your sketch in passages in the book.

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