Locke Argues That in the Search for Truth We Must

question 7

True/False

Locke argues that in the search for truth we must beware the pitfalls of "enthusiasm" (passion or emotion) and always follow the lead of reason. Reason, he says, is a God-given faculty that demands we not entertain any proposition with greater assurance than is warranted by the evidence. We should not believe anything that reason does not support (although some mysteries such as immortality are beyond our understanding). Even revelation (immediate communication of some sort from God) must be corroborated by reason; otherwise, we cannot be sure that a revelation is genuine. A prime disrupter of the workings of reason is enthusiasm, which arises "from the conceits of a warmed or over-weening brain." Through enthusiasm we can fall prey to wishful thinking, overwrought imagination (especially the religious kind), and groundless feelings of certainty. "Reason," says Locke, "must be our last judge and guide in every thing."
-Locke accepted religious revelation without question.

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Definitions:

Legal Realism

Legal Realism is a school of legal thought that emphasizes the real-world outcomes of law and legal processes over the abstract formulations of statutes and legal principles.

Courts of Chancery

Historical courts in England and later some states in the US, dealing with cases involving equity, including trusts, land law, and guardianships.

Common-law Courts

are courts that base their decisions on the principles and traditions of common law, which is law developed through court decisions over time, as opposed to statutory laws.

Bodies of Law

The collective set of laws, regulations, and legal principles that govern a specific area or country.