Tabula Rasa

Definition

A Latin phrase often translated as 'blank slate' in English and originates from the Roman tabula used for notes, which was blanked by heating the wax and then smoothing it. This term refers to the idea that individuals are born without built-in mental content and that all their knowledge comes from experience or perception.

Related terms

Empiricism: Again, empiricism is relevant here because it's a theory stating knowledge comes primarily from sensory experience - just like writing on a blank slate.

Nature vs Nurture Debate: This debate involves whether human behavior is determined by the environment (nurture - similar to writing on 'tabula rasa') or by a person's genes (nature).

Developmental Psychology: A scientific approach which aims to explain how children and adults change over time. The 'tabula rasa' concept plays a significant role in understanding these changes.