Tabula Rasa

Pronunciation: /ˈtæbjələ ˈreɪzə/

Definitions of tabula rasa

noun a philosophical concept popularized by John Locke

Example Sentences

A1 A baby is like a tabula rasa, with a blank slate ready to learn.

A2 Children's minds are often compared to a tabula rasa, waiting to be filled with knowledge.

B1 In psychology, the concept of tabula rasa refers to the idea that individuals are born with a clean slate.

B2 Educators strive to provide students with a tabula rasa for each new subject, allowing them to start fresh.

C1 The philosopher John Locke famously discussed the theory of tabula rasa in his writings on human understanding.

C2 Some argue that the concept of tabula rasa is essential to understanding the development of human consciousness.

Examples of tabula rasa in a Sentence

formal The concept of tabula rasa suggests that the mind is a blank slate at birth.

informal Some people believe in the idea of tabula rasa, that we are born with a clean slate.

slang I think babies are like tabula rasa, they don't know anything when they're born.

figurative Starting a new project can feel like starting with a tabula rasa, a fresh beginning with no preconceived ideas.

Grammatical Forms of tabula rasa

• plural: tabulae rasae
• comparative: more tabula rasa
• superlative: most tabula rasa
• present tense: tabula rasa
• future tense: will be tabula rasa
• perfect tense: has been tabula rasa
• continuous tense: is being tabula rasa
• singular: tabula rasa
• positive degree: tabula rasa
• infinitive: to be tabula rasa
• gerund: being tabula rasa
• participle: tabula rasa

Origin and Evolution of tabula rasa

First Known Use: 1250 year

Language of Origin: Latin

Story behind the word: Tabula rasa is a Latin phrase that translates to 'blank slate' in English. It originates from the philosophical concept that individuals are born without innate ideas or knowledge, and that their minds are like a blank slate waiting to be filled with experiences and perceptions.

Evolution of the word: The concept of tabula rasa has been widely discussed and debated by philosophers throughout history, including John Locke in the 17th century who popularized the idea in his work 'An Essay Concerning Human Understanding'. Over time, the term has been used in various fields such as psychology, education, and sociology to describe the idea of the mind being devoid of preconceived notions or biases.