According to Locke, how are simple ideas formed?

According to John Locke, simple ideas are formed from physical sensations, which serve as the fundamental building blocks of knowledge. Locke’s philosophy asserts that knowledge originates in experience, primarily through sensory input from the environment. He posited that when we perceive objects and events in the world around us, these interactions with our senses give rise to simple ideas, which are basic and uncombined perceptions.

These simple ideas can further combine to create complex ideas, but the foundational process begins with sensory experiences. This standpoint is a key aspect of Locke's empiricism, as it emphasizes that all knowledge derives from sensory experiences rather than from innate ideas or pure reasoning, distinguishing his views from those of rationalists who argue for the existence of pre-existing knowledge or concepts.