in a very loose Sense, even by Mr. Locke himself, as standing for any of our Perceptions, our Sensations and Passions, as well as Thoughts. Now in this Sense I would desire to know, what can be meant by asserting, that Self-Love, or Resentment of Injuries, or the Passion betwixt the Sexes is not innate?
But admitting these Terms, Impressions and Ideas, in the Sense above explain'd, and understanding by innate what is original or copy'd from no precedent Perception, then may we assert, that all our Impressions are innate, and our Ideas not innate.
To be ingenuous, I must own it to be my Opinion, that Mr. Locke was betray'd into this Question by the Schoolmen, who making use of undefin'd Terms, draw out their Disputes to a tedious Length, without ever touching the Point in Question. A like Ambiguity and Circumlocution seems to run thro' all that treat Man's Reasonings on this Subject.
ESSAY
