Which philosopher is associated with tabula rasa and continuity of consciousness?

Which philosopher is associated with tabula rasa and continuity of consciousness?

• A. David Hume
• B. John Locke
• C. Immanuel Kant
• D. Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Answer: (B)

Tabula rasa describes the mind at birth as a blank slate, with no innate ideas. John Locke argued this clearly, claiming that all knowledge comes from experience—through sensation and reflection—so ideas are formed as we interact with the world. He also ties personal identity over time to continuity of consciousness: as long as you can remember your past experiences, you remain the same person across different moments. Memory, not body or a supposed inner essence, anchors who you are from one moment to the next. This combination—mind at birth as a blank slate and identity based on memory continuity—is what makes Locke the philosopher most associated with both tabula rasa and continuity of consciousness.

Tabula rasa describes the mind at birth as a blank slate, with no innate ideas. John Locke argued this clearly, claiming that all knowledge comes from experience—through sensation and reflection—so ideas are formed as we interact with the world. He also ties personal identity over time to continuity of consciousness: as long as you can remember your past experiences, you remain the same person across different moments. Memory, not body or a supposed inner essence, anchors who you are from one moment to the next. This combination—mind at birth as a blank slate and identity based on memory continuity—is what makes Locke the philosopher most associated with both tabula rasa and continuity of consciousness.