Innatismus

Innatismus is a philosophical and psychological concept that posits the existence of innate ideas or knowledge within the human mind. This contrasts with empiricism, which suggests that all knowledge is derived from sensory experience. Proponents of innatism, such as Plato and René Descartes, argued that certain fundamental concepts, like those of mathematics, logic, or morality, are not learned but are present from birth. These innate ideas are considered universal, meaning they are shared by all individuals regardless of their upbringing or culture.

The theory of innatism suggests that the mind is not a blank slate at birth but rather comes equipped with a pre-existing structure or set of principles that shape our understanding of the world. This can manifest in various ways, such as an inherent capacity for language acquisition, a natural sense of justice, or an intuitive grasp of cause and effect. While empirical evidence for innate ideas is difficult to establish definitively, the concept continues to be debated in fields like philosophy of mind, developmental psychology, and linguistics. Different interpretations of innatism exist, with some focusing on abstract concepts and others on predispositions or cognitive structures.