Abstract

In this work, I demonstrate that Ralph Cudworth, of the Cambridge Platonists, was a major influence upon the epistemological theories of John Locke, despite the general judgment that Locke's tabula rosa model of the mind, attacking the theory of innate ideas, as it does, positioned him as an opponent to Rationalists, like Cudworth. This opinion is based upon a misunderstanding of both Locke and Cudworth, which I correct. Upon this correction, the degree of Cudworth's influence on Locke's model of the mind becomes clear. ;In Chapter One, I describe the historical background of the Cambridge Platonists in general, and of Cudworth in particular, describing those forces to which he was reacting, and also, the general intellectual goals of his school. In Chapter Two, I discuss Cudworth's epistemology directly, summarizing his main points and the arguments that he used to support them. In Chapter Three, I criticize Cudworth, both with respect to his larger philosophic goals, and also through a direct analysis of his theory. In Chapter Four, I will discuss Locke's epistemological theory, and ask whether, and how, Locke's theory, as read, challenges Cudworth's rationalism. In Chapter Five, I demonstrate that Cudworth is a legitimate follower of Plato's and that this ironically leads him to his greatest epistemological failing. It is in order to avoid this error that Locke deviates from Cudworth. The empirical element of Locke's theory does, indeed, contrast with Cudworth's rationalism, but Cudworth's model of the active mind is preserved by Locke, who then passes the concept on to Kant.