John Locke's theory of the tabula rasa has left a profound mark on the field of modern psychology, being considered one of the most influential theories in this discipline (Torres, 2017). He posited that at birth, the human mind is like a "blank slate" or a "tabula rasa," without any pre-established content. In other words, people do not possess innate ideas or inherent knowledge, but all knowledge is acquired through experience. However, according to Torres (2017), the theory of the tabula rasa has sparked a series of criticisms and debates, leading to a reevaluation of some of its postulates.
The Tabula Rasa and the Construction of Identity
The theory of the tabula rasa, developed by philosopher John Locke, has been influenced by the ideas of great thinkers like Aristotle and Descartes (Uzgalis, 2022). In his famous work "An Essay Concerning Human Understanding," he postulates that the human mind is like a "blank slate" at birth, and all knowledge is acquired through experience (Torres, 2017). Torres (2017) mentions that, according to this theory, the mind is formed as people interact with the environment, and it is precisely this interaction that shapes perceptions, ideas, and behaviors throughout life.
In John Locke's theory of knowledge, the expression "tabula rasa" refers to the original state of human consciousness, like a book with blank pages, waiting to be written not only with a new story but with an improved story (Paredes, 2020). Locke disagreed with the ideas of Descartes and Leibniz, who believed that humans have innate ideas or principles. Paredes (2020) points out that, as a proponent of empiricism, Locke argued against the existence of universal knowledge, asserting that all individuals are born with their minds as a tabula rasa, similar to an unwritten book.
This belief has led many people to consider that if everyone starts with a "blank slate," they are all equal, which could contribute to the reduction of discrimination, prejudice, and even violence (Torres, 2017). Furthermore, as Torres (2017) suggests, this theory raises the possibility of perfecting the species, as if all individuals begin as a "blank slate," they can shape their future more favorably.
The Role of Experience
The theory of the tabula rasa, recognized as one of the most influential theories in the field of human development, posits that experience plays a fundamental role in shaping the mind and personality (Valenzuela, 2021). Each person is like a "blank slate" waiting to be filled with information obtained through the senses. In this regard, according to Valenzuela (2021), this theory has played a crucial role in understanding the process of individual development, learning, and interaction with the environment. The concept of the tabula rasa serves as a starting point for Locke's subsequent explanation of simple and complex ideas that make up knowledge (Valenzuela, 2021).
Every experience a person goes through leaves an imprint on the mind, a copy of what their senses captured (Torres, 2017). Over time, people are able to discern patterns and connections in these stored copies, leading to the emergence of concepts and the formation of more complex ideas. In this way, Torres (2017) suggests that Locke conceived of the human being as an entity that comes into existence without any preconceptions, allowing for the gradual development and construction of knowledge through experiences.
However, the influence of the tabula rasa theory is not limited solely to the realm of human development and learning (Torres, 2017). Locke also applied this concept to the fields of political and social ideas, firmly asserting that all individuals possess fundamental rights. Torres (2017) highlights that, according to this perspective, the diversity and variety of knowledge that people acquire are reflected in the different cultures that exist in the world, with experience and the environment being the key elements that shape and define individual and collective perspectives and values.
Questioning the Tabula Rasa
Despite its influence in psychology, the theory of the tabula rasa has generated countless criticisms and debates over the years, raising questions about the complexity of human identity formation. One of the main criticisms suggests that beyond experience, there are inherent and genetic aspects that play a fundamental role in this process (Duque, 2014). Experts from various fields argue that certain personality traits, such as intelligence or extroversion, have a strong genetic basis and cannot be entirely attributed to experience (Torres, 2017). These traits, to some extent, are pre-established from birth, influencing a person's way of being and acting.
Another point that raises questions is its focus on the pursuit of knowledge (Torres, 2017). Although babies, in their apparent state of ignorance, may seem to lack information, research has shown that they come into the world with certain predispositions to associate certain types of information. An example of this innate ability is evident in their ability to recognize objects through touch, even without having seen them before. This suggests that in their minds, babies are capable of transforming visual information into something more than a simple literal copy of the observed object. In other words, according to Torres (2017), their perception goes beyond mere visual reproduction and involves more complex cognitive processes.
On the other hand, it is important to note that knowledge is not composed solely of "copies," more or less imperfect, of past events because memories are not static but constantly changing and can even become intertwined (Torres, 2017). According to Torres (2017), this phenomenon has been demonstrated by the psychologist Elisabeth Loftus, who has shown that the stability of a memory is rare and uncommon, with memories more commonly being modified over time.
The Legacy of Tabula Rasa
The theory of tabula rasa, a concept that has transcended through the years, continues to be relevant in the field of contemporary psychology (Duque, 2014). In fact, in correspondence with Maden (2021), both behaviorism and constructivism have addressed and reinterpreted the foundations of tabula rasa, giving them a new meaning and applicability in this context.
Constructivism is based on the premise that knowledge is actively constructed through experience and interaction with the environment (Duque, 2014). According to this theoretical perspective, humans are not born with innate or predefined knowledge, but they acquire and develop their cognitive abilities and skills as they interact with the world around them (Duque, 2014). In other words, the human mind is shaped and enriched through lived experiences and interactions with the environment, leading to the active construction of knowledge.
In contrast, behaviorism focuses on the study of observable behaviors and maintains that learning occurs through the association of stimuli and responses (Duque, 2014). This theoretical approach emphasizes the influence of the environment and external stimuli in the acquisition of new behaviors and skills, without referring to internal or inherent aspects of human nature (Duque, 2014). From this perspective, the individual is seen as a subject in constant interaction with their environment, learning and modifying their behavior through the association of observable stimuli and responses.
Finally, it is important to note that the theory of tabula rasa continues to exert a profound influence on the understanding of knowledge acquisition, learning, and human development today (Duque, 2014). Its fundamental principles have laid the groundwork for exploring various fields of psychology and have been a source of inspiration for multiple contemporary research and theories. According to Duque (2014), the idea that the human mind is malleable and its capabilities develop through interaction with the environment has been essential in understanding how individuals acquire and process information, as well as in designing teaching strategies and promoting optimal development at different stages of life.
References
Duque, J. (2014). Crítica a la Tesis de la “Tábula Rasa” y a la Negación de la Naturaleza Humana: Una Opinión. ResearchGate. Recuperado 20 de junio de 2023, de https://www.researchgate.net/publication/266390500_Critica_a_la_Tesis_de_la_Tabula_Rasa_y_a_la_Negacion_de_la_Naturaleza_Humana_Una_Opinion
Maden, J. (2021). John Locke’s Empiricism: Why We Are All Tabula Rasas (Blank Slates). Philosophy Break. Recuperado 20 de junio de 2023, de https://philosophybreak.com/articles/john-lockes-empiricism-why-we-are-all-tabula-rasas-blank-slates/
Paredes, F. P. (2020, 21 enero). John Locke en Tabula Rasa. Crónica. Recuperado 20 de junio de 2023, de https://cronica.com.ec/2020/12/31/john-locke-en-tabula-rasa/
Torres, A. (2017). La Teoría de la Tabula Rasa de John Locke. Psicología y Mente. Recuperado 20 de junio de 2023, de https://psicologiaymente.com/psicologia/teoria-tabula-rasa-john-locke
Uzgalis, W. (2022). John Locke. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Recuperado 16 de junio de 2023, de https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/locke/
Valenzuela, M. (2021, 20 noviembre). Tabula Rasa. Psicologos en Línea. Recuperado 20 de junio de 2023, de https://psicologosenlinea.net/905-tabula-rasa.html
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