Book,  Chapter

  1   Read        |          than better writers. Men’s principles, notions, and relishes are
  2      I        |                      BOOK I~Neither Principles nor Ideas Are Innate~
  3      I,  I    |             I~No Innate Speculative Principles ~1. The way shown how we
  4      I,  I    |        understanding certain innate principles; some primary notions, koinai
  5      I,  I    |            such original notions or principles. For I imagine any one will
  6      I,  I    |         than that there are certain principles, both speculative and practical, (
  7      I,  I    |         made use of to prove innate principles, seems to me a demonstration
  8      I,  I    |         instance in those magnified principles of demonstration, “Whatsoever
  9      I,  I    |          from those who deny innate principles. For nobody, I think, ever
 10      I,  I    |           in the discovery of these principles, and certainly makes them
 11      I,  I    |       reason men may discover these principles, and that this is sufficient
 12      I,  I    |        reason necessary to discover principles that are supposed innate,
 13      I,  I    |        deducing unknown truths from principles or propositions that are
 14      I,  I    |         make the knowledge of those principles to depend on the labour
 15      I,  I    |             are mistaken for innate principles, but are indeed discoveries
 16      I,  I    |            with these men of innate principles, that there is no knowledge
 17      I,  I    |      plentifully stored with innate principles. For upon the same ground,
 18      I,  I    |             are looked on as innate principles; since any one, who will
 19      I,  I    |           as they are called) first principles, cannot owe to them the
 20      I,  I    |       things, are ignorant of these principles till they are proposed to
 21      I,  I    |           it will follow that these principles may be made more evident
 22      I,  I    |          with the opinion of innate principles, and give but little authority
 23      I,  I    |         implicit knowledge of these principles, but not an explicit, before
 24      I,  I    |    demonstrations, as well as first principles, must be received as native
 25      I,  I    |            me doubt of those innate principles.~24. Not innate, because
 26      I,  I    |           these defenders of innate principles,—that if they are innate,
 27      I,  I    |        supposed woven into the very principles of their being, and imprinted
 28      I,  I    |         well be expected that these principles should be perfectly known
 29      I,  I    |            according to these men’s principles, that all these native beams
 30      I,  I    |            be found? What universal principles of knowledge? Their notions
 31      I,  I    |         abstract maxims and reputed principles of science, will, I fear,
 32      I,  I    |      Discourse. And if these “first principles” of knowledge and science
 33      I,  II   |      Chapter II~No Innate Practical Principles ~1. No moral principles
 34      I,  II   |             Principles ~1. No moral principles so clear and so generally
 35      I,  II   |        visible concerning practical Principles, that they come short of
 36      I,  II   |        stronger against those moral principles than the other. Not that
 37      I,  II   |       evidence with them: but moral principles require reasoning and discourse,
 38      I,  II   |            and justice not owned as principles by all men. Whether there
 39      I,  II   |             there be any such moral principles, wherein all men do agree,
 40      I,  II   |         fraud or rapine have innate principles of truth and justice which
 41      I,  II   |          questioned or denied these principles, it is impossible to establish
 42      I,  II   |            suppose innate practical principles, that terminate only in
 43      I,  II   |            contemplation. Practical principles, derived from nature, are
 44      I,  II   |         indeed are innate practical principles which (as practical principles
 45      I,  II   |      principles which (as practical principles ought) do continue constantly
 46      I,  II   |           mind, which are to be the principles of knowledge regulating
 47      I,  II   |           the understanding, as the principles of knowledge, we could not
 48      I,  II   |             of any innate practical principles is, that I think there cannot
 49      I,  II   |           could not be if practical principles were innate, and imprinted
 50      I,  II   |            not that they are innate principles: nay, it proves not so much
 51      I,  II   |     conscience be a proof of innate principles, contraries may be innate
 52      I,  II   |            contraries may be innate principles; since some men with the
 53      I,  II   |       observation or sense of moral principles, or what touch of conscience
 54      I,  II   |         Where then are those innate principles of justice, piety, gratitude,
 55      I,  II   |             have contrary practical principles. He that will carefully
 56      I,  II   |             not described by innate principles. From what has been said,
 57      I,  II   |       laying the least blame on it? Principles of actions indeed there
 58      I,  II   |             from being innate moral principles, that if they were left
 59      I,  II   |           of what is innate, innate principles are insisted on, and urged
 60      I,  II   |           maintain innate practical principles tell us not what they are.
 61      I,  II   |      amongst men in their practical principles is so evident that I think
 62      I,  II   |          supposition of such innate principles is but an opinion taken
 63      I,  II   |          were there any such innate principles there would be no need to
 64      I,  II   |           who doubt of these innate principles; since even they who require
 65      I,  II   |           of those innate practical principles, they would set down only
 66      I,  II   |       finding any such innate moral principles in themselves, that, by
 67      I,  II   |         must necessarily reject all principles of virtue, who cannot put
 68      I,  II   |           15. Lord Herbert’s innate principles examined. When I had written
 69      I,  II   |     Veritate, assigned these innate principles, I presently consulted him,
 70      I,  II   |           says this of these innate principles: Adeo ut non uniuscujusvis
 71      I,  II   |             the marks of the innate principles or common notions, and asserted
 72      I,  II   |            well admitted for innate principles, as at least some of these
 73      I,  II   |     hundreds of propositions innate principles; since there are many which
 74      I,  II   |            into that rank of innate principles.~19. Scarce possible that
 75      I,  II   |             that God should engrave principles in words of uncertain meaning.
 76      I,  II   |            be imagined to be innate principles; nor to be of any use if
 77      I,  II   |            s minds, and were innate principles also, which I think is very
 78      I,  II   |             that God should engrave principles in men’s minds, in words
 79      I,  II   |              being in most of these principles very general, names, cannot
 80      I,  II   |        common notions and practical principles. Yet, after all, universal
 81      I,  II   |             were there any in moral principles) to truths, the knowledge
 82      I,  II   |              20. Objection, “innate principles may be corrupted,” answered.
 83      I,  II   |        answer, viz. that the innate principles of morality may, by education,
 84      I,  II   |        which this opinion of innate principles is endeavoured to be proved;
 85      I,  II   |          argument stands thus:—“The principles which all mankind allow
 86      I,  II   |         right reason admit, are the principles allowed by all mankind;
 87      I,  II   |         therefore, we agreeing, our principles are innate;”—which is a
 88      I,  II   |        understand how there be some principles which all men do acknowledge
 89      I,  II   |             there are none of those principles which are not, by depraved
 90      I,  II   |           supposition of such first principles will serve us to very little
 91      I,  II   |             all this boast of first principles and innate light, we shall
 92      I,  II   |        right. But concerning innate principles, I desire these men to say,
 93      I,  II   |           observation.~21. Contrary principles in the world. I easily grant
 94      I,  II   |            first and unquestionable principles; many whereof, both for
 95      I,  II   |          men commonly come by their principles. This, however strange it
 96      I,  II   |           grow up to the dignity of principles in religion or morality.
 97      I,  II   |             have not a set of those principles for them, which they believe
 98      I,  II   |              and innate truths.~23. Principles supposed innate because
 99      I,  II   |            is natural.~24. How such principles come to be held. This will
100      I,  II   |  propositions, which are to him the principles on which he bottoms his
101      I,  II   |        especially when one of their principles is, that principles ought
102      I,  II   |           their principles is, that principles ought not to be questioned.
103      I,  II   |            afraid to question those principles, when he shall think them,
104      I,  II   |           cannot penetrate into the principles of knowledge, and trace
105      I,  II   |          take up with some borrowed principles; which being reputed and
106      I,  II   |           reverence usually paid to principles, never venturing to examine
107      I,  II   |            any absurdity for innate principles; and by long poring on the
108      I,  II   |       workmanship of his hands.~27. Principles must be examined. By this
109      I,  II   |             there are who arrive at principles which they believe innate
110      I,  II   |             the variety of opposite principles held and contended for by
111      I,  II   |         truth and evidence of their principles, will perhaps find it a
112      I,  II   |             the privilege of innate principles to be received upon their
113      I,  II   |          believed, or how any one’s principles can be questioned. If they
114      I,  II   |           know how first and innate principles can be tried; or at least
115      I,  II   |          whereby the genuine innate principles may be distinguished from
116      I,  II   |             assure me of any innate principles.~From what has been said,
117      I,  II   |         that there are no practical principles wherein all men agree; and
118      I,  III  |    considerations concerning Innate Principles, both Speculative and Practical ~
119      I,  III  |       Speculative and Practical ~1. Principles not innate, unless their
120      I,  III  |            us that there are innate principles not taken them together
121      I,  III  |          the mind was without those principles; and then they will not
122      I,  III  |       especially those belonging to principles, not born with children.
123      I,  III  |            that are esteemed innate principles. One may perceive how, by
124      I,  III  | understanding draw conclusions from principles which it never yet knew
125      I,  III  |             reckoned amongst innate principles. I am sure it has as good
126      I,  III  |           are the patrons of innate principles.~7. Idea of worship not
127      I,  III  |         place amongst all practical principles. But yet it can by no means
128      I,  III  |        there should be innate moral principles, without an innate idea
129      I,  III  |             of such a notion to the principles of common reason, and the
130      I,  III  |             may, without any innate principles, attain a knowledge of a
131      I,  III  |            without ideas of God and principles of morality, or at least
132      I,  III  |           speculative or practical, principles, it may with as much probability
133      I,  III  |           he says intelligible.~22. Principles not innate, because of little
134      I,  III  |         neither these nor any other principles are innate. I that am fully
135      I,  III  |         minds of men some universal principles; whereof those that are
136      I,  III  |            propositions that go for principles; and yet there are millions,
137      I,  III  |             little upon such innate principles as are in vain supposed
138      I,  III  |             doubting thus of innate principles may deserve from men, who
139      I,  III  |          the taking up of another’s principles, without examining them,
140      I,  III  |        Whence the opinion of innate principles. When men have found some
141      I,  III  |          make this the principle of principles,—that principles must not
142      I,  III  |       principle of principles,—that principles must not he questioned.
143      I,  III  |        tenet,—that there are innate principles, it put their followers
144      I,  III  |     authority to be the dictator of principles, and teacher of unquestionable
145      I,  III  |            I had to doubt of innate principles. And since the arguments
146      I,  III  |       assumed by others, to take my principles for granted; and then, I
147      I,  III  |            that I shall say for the principles I proceed on is, that I
148     II,  IX   |           are far from those innate principles which some contend for,
149     II,  IX   |          time. Whereas those innate principles are supposed to be quite
150     II,  IX   |           that is boasted of innate principles) is in his knowledge and
151     II,  XI   |         that argue right from wrong principles. For, by the violence of
152     II,  XI   |             innate ideas or infused principles, they have reason to enjoy
153     II,  XIII |         upon floating and uncertain principles, and will often find himself
154     II,  XXI  |        allow he makes, upon his own principles, laid how he pleases, who
155    III,  I    |            to men the originals and principles of all their knowledge:
156     IV,  VII  |             axioms, have passed for principles of science: and because
157     IV,  VII  |        magnified maxims are not the principles and foundations of all our
158     IV,  VII  |       impossible they should be the principles from which we deduce all
159     IV,  VII  |    knowledge, besides those general principles themselves, to depend on
160     IV,  VII  |            innate, and self-evident principles. What principle is requisite
161     IV,  VII  |           or general maxims, called principles; or else that these are
162     IV,  VII  |              or else that these are principles: and if these are to be
163     IV,  VII  |             these are to be counted principles, a great part of numeration
164     IV,  VII  |             all our distinct ideas, principles will be almost infinite,
165     IV,  VII  |          great many of these innate principles they never come to know
166     IV,  VII  |        truth, and served instead of principles (where the disputants had
167     IV,  VII  |         maxims, getting the name of principles, beyond which men in dispute
168     IV,  VII  |          these general self-evident principles received by all reasonable
169     IV,  VII  |     themselves, or some established principles: it is no wonder that they
170     IV,  VII  |        vacuum, by these two certain principles, viz. what is, is, and the
171     IV,  VII  |            be: yet neither of these principles will serve to prove to us,
172     IV,  VII  |          universal and self-evident principles being only our constant,
173     IV,  VII  |            two propositions, called principles, be very clear, and their
174     IV,  VII  |            for them: yet when these principles, viz. what is, is, and it
175     IV,  VII  |          whereof is not, that these principles are less true or of less
176     IV,  VII  |            you would by these first principles demonstrate anything, and
177     IV,  VII  |           demonstration is by these principles, it is only verbal, and
178     IV,  VIII |       trifling, when made use of as principles of instruction, and stress
179     IV,  XII  |            any science, were called principles, as the beginnings from
180     IV,  XII  |           to the influence of these principles, nor derived from any peculiar
181     IV,  XII  |            to build upon precarious principles. But be it in the mathematics
182     IV,  XII  |          yet a safe way to take the principles which are laid down in any
183     IV,  XII  |      Nothing can be so dangerous as principles thus taken up without questioning
184     IV,  XII  |      therefore, those that pass for principles are not certain, (which
185     IV,  XII  |            into truth, we shall, by principles, be only confirmed in mistake
186     IV,  XII  |       knowledge of the certainty of principles, as well as of all other
187     IV,  XII  |              to receive and swallow principles; but is, I think, to get
188     IV,  XII  |          perhaps, without any other principles, but barely considering
189     IV,  XII  |          one rule than by taking up principles, and thereby putting our
190     IV,  XII  |             of hypotheses and wrong principles. I would not, therefore,
191     IV,  XII  |          general maxims, precarious principles, and hypotheses laid down
192     IV,  XII  |          causes of things, and have principles to rest on, is very apt
193     IV,  XII  |            to them all; whether our principles will carry us quite through,
194     IV,  XII  |          take care that the name of principles deceive us not, nor impose
195     IV,  XII  |          maxims which are taken for principles in mathematics that hath
196     IV,  XVI  |          and all the error of wrong principles, if we have faith and assurance
197     IV,  XVII |            taken for true and clear principles: sometimes for clear and
198     IV,  XVII |          fair deductions from those principles: and sometimes for the cause,
199     IV,  XVII |            often proceed upon wrong principles. The mind, by proceeding
200     IV,  XVII |            by proceeding upon false principles, is often engaged in absurdities
201     IV,  XVII |            influence of those wrong principles. Reason is so far from clearing
202     IV,  XVII |     consequences drawn from his own principles or concessions. This is
203     IV,  XVII |            reason derive from those principles. 3. Contrary to reason are
204     IV,  XVIII|             would be to subvert the principles and foundations of all knowledge,
205     IV,  XVIII|         true, must overturn all the principles and foundations of knowledge
206     IV,  XVIII|        revelation, as it has of the principles of its own reason, it can
207     IV,  XVIII|         greater evidence than those principles have.~6. Traditional revelation
208     IV,  XVIII|           from our ideas, and those principles of knowledge I have above
209     IV,  XVIII|            is contrary to the plain principles of reason, and the evident
210     IV,  XVIII|         which contradicts the clear principles and evidence of his own
211     IV,  XVIII|      knowledge, and overturning the principles of all reason; in such probable
212     IV,  XVIII|          probability. For where the principles of reason have not evidenced
213     IV,  XVIII|           so certain as that of the principles of reason: and therefore
214     IV,  XVIII|           common sense and the very principles of all their knowledge,
215     IV,  XIX  |           than it receives from the principles and proofs it supports itself
216     IV,  XIX  |            methods of knowledge and principles of reason. Hence we see
217     IV,  XIX  |          can be made out by natural principles, and if it cannot, that
218     IV,  XIX  |     inspired, be conformable to the principles of reason, or to the word
219     IV,  XX   |             and false, taken up for principles. II. Received hypotheses.~
220     IV,  XX   |     Doubtful propositions taken for principles. The first and firmest ground
221     IV,  XX   |          and continue to look on as principles. These have so great an
222     IV,  XX   |            is inconsistent with our principles, is so far from passing
223     IV,  XX   |            reverence borne to these principles is so great, and their authority
224     IV,  XX   |         much the doctrine of innate principles, and that principles are
225     IV,  XX   |         innate principles, and that principles are not to be proved or
226     IV,  XX   |              who hath imbibed wrong principles, and has blindly given himself
227     IV,  XX   |       efficacy. This opinion of his principles (let them be what they will)
228     IV,  XX   |         being but agreeable to such principles, go down glibly, and are
229     IV,  XX   |           from received traditional principles. So that men will disbelieve
230     IV,  XX   |            he met with one of other principles: how is he prepared easily
231     IV,  XX   |          arguments drawn from their principles) against his senses? Let
232     IV,  XX   |       therefore, have imbibed wrong principles, are not, in things inconsistent
233     IV,  XX   |             inconsistent with these principles, to be moved by the most
234     IV,  XX   |             examine even those very principles, which many never suffer
235     IV,  XX   |           true hypothesis, or right principles, but not rightly understood.