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{"id":18704,"date":"2017-02-24T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2017-02-24T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/leithart.level2d.com\/?p=427"},"modified":"2017-02-24T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2017-02-24T00:00:00","slug":"lockean-individualism","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/leithart\/2017\/02\/lockean-individualism\/","title":{"rendered":"Lockean Individualism"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

F<\/span>ollowing Alvin Platinga, Richard Foley summarizes the principles of Locke\u2019s epistemology in three principles (Intellectual Trust in Oneself and Others<\/em><\/a>): Evidence (the \u201cobligation to base one\u2019s opinion on one\u2019s evidence,\u201d the latter defined as \u201cwhat one knows with certainty\u201d); appraisal (the obligation \u201cto appraise the probability of propositions on one\u2019s evidence\u201d); and proportionality (the obligation to \u201cadopt degrees of confidence . . . proportionate to their probabilities on one\u2019s evidence\u201d) (89-90).<\/p>\n

To be sure, there is much to be said for Locke\u2019s criteria, but Foley claims that they are based on largely unexamined premises: \u201cFirst, there is his optimism: if individuals use their intellectual equipment well, following the above principles
\nof evidence and proportionality, they can expect to have accurate opinions. Second, there is his individualism: his principles require individuals
\nto exercise their own judgment about how strongly their evidence
\nsupports other propositions. Finally, there is his egalitarianism: his principles are intended for everyone, not just the intellectually elite\u201d (90).<\/span><\/p>\n

Foley acknowledges that Locke shows some awareness of the complications of these premises, but he is also deeply hostile to reliance on the opinions of others. Locke writes: \u201cFor, I think, we may as rationally hope to see with other Mens Eyes, as to know by other Mens Understandings. So much as we our selves consider and comprehend of Truth and Reason, so much we possess of real and true Knowledge. The floating of other Mens Opinions in our brains makes us not one jot the more knowing, though they happen to be true. What in them was science, is in us but Opiniatretry, whilst we give up our Assent only to reverend names, and do not, as they did, employ our own Reason to understand those Truths, which gave them reputation. . . . In the Sciences, every one has so much, as he really knows and comprehends: What he believes only, and takes upon trust, are but shreds; which however well in the whole piece, make no considerable addition to his stock, who gathers them. Such borrowed Wealth, like Fairy- money, though it were Gold in the hand from he who received it, will be but Leaves and Dust when it comes to use\u201d (quoted 91).<\/p>\n

The passage brings together the individualism, optimism, and egalitarianism, leading Locke to emphasize the importance of intellectual self-reliance so strongly that he doubts that we should give deference even to the opinions of experts: \u201cHe regards deference as an excuse for not bringing one\u2019s own intelligence to bear on the issues at hand. It is a recipe for error and for what would later come to be called \u2018group think.\u2019 Locke\u2019s view is that there is always something substandard in taking someone else\u2019s word for the truth of a claim. . . . . \u2018when we rely on the intellectual authority of others, the resulting belief is no more than \u2018the floating of other Mens Opinions in our brains\u2019\u201d (90-1).<\/p>\n

Instead, everyone, no matter how unschooled, should \u201crely on their own judgment and reason (his individualism), and if they are careful to conform to their opinions to the evidence, the result will be \u2018real and true knowledge\u2019 (his optimism)\u201d (91).<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"