Locke Argues That in the Search for Truth We Must

question 5

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 thought "enthusiasm" was necessary to reach any firm conclusion.

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Definitions:

Fiber

A type of material used in telecommunications that transmits light to carry information over long distances.

Dematerialization

The process of reducing the use of physical resources in the production and distribution of goods and services, often through digitalization.

Materialization

In computing, it refers to the process of bringing virtual or logical data into physical form, often in the context of database systems.

Pervasiveness

The state or quality of being widespread throughout an area or a group of people, often referring to technology or cultural phenomena.