Final answer:
The belief that certain kinds of knowledge are innate or inborn is referred to as innatism. Philosophers like Rene Descartes supported the idea of innate knowledge as the basis for rational thought, while others, such as John Locke, argued that knowledge comes from experience. This is part of the larger philosophical field of epistemology, which studies the nature of knowledge.
Step-by-step explanation:
The belief that certain kinds of knowledge are innate or inborn is a philosophical concept known as innatism. Innatism posits that the mind is born with ideas/knowledge, and that therefore the knowledge is not necessarily derived from experience. This contrasts with empiricism, which suggests that knowledge is gained through sensory experience. Within innatism, it is believed that some ideas are universal, shared by all human minds; these ideas are often seen as the basics of rational thought. The French philosopher Rene Descartes argued that there are certain indubitable truths (clear and distinct ideas) that are innate to all rational beings, such as the knowledge of self, God, and the geometric basics.
Another viewpoint comes from John Locke, who is known for his argument against innate knowledge, asserting that the human mind is a tabula rasa (blank slate) at birth and that all knowledge comes from experience. Therefore, the debate about whether knowledge is innate or acquired through experience has been a central question in the field of epistemology, the study of knowledge.
Furthermore, the term justified true belief is traditionally used to define knowledge. However, this definition was challenged by philosopher Edmund Gettier in the 1960s, leading to discussions about whether justification, truth, and belief are sufficient to define knowledge. Thus, the concept of innatism is part of a broader philosophical exploration of the nature and limits of human knowledge.