Gottfried Leibniz's comparison of the mind to a block of marble was used to illustrate his theory that
A) the innate structure of the mind results in natural inclinations to think in certain ways.
B) the way in which the mind is formed is purely a result of experience.
C) the human mind has certain prejudices which block the acquisition of truth.
D) the mind is really the brain.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Leibniz believed that the mind is born with innate ideas and structures, like a block of marble. Just as a sculptor can release a statue from a block of marble by removing excess stone, the mind can uncover innate knowledge and concepts through reasoning and reflection. This theory is known as innate knowledge or rationalism.

Gottfried Leibniz's Comparison of the Mind to a Block of Marble