Which philosopher is considered the founder of British empiricism?

The correct answer identifies John Locke as the founder of British empiricism. Locke's contributions fundamentally shaped the philosophy of empiricism, which emphasizes knowledge arising from sensory experience. He proposed that the mind at birth is a "tabula rasa," or blank slate, and that all knowledge is built up through experience and observation. His ideas contrasted with rationalism, which posits that reason alone can lead to knowledge, a view prominently held by philosophers like René Descartes.

Locke's influence can be seen across multiple disciplines, particularly in psychology, where the understanding of human thought and behavior relies on empirical observation. His work laid the foundation for later empiricists and significantly influenced modern psychology and philosophy by asserting that knowledge must be derived from experience rather than innate ideas.

While Thomas Hobbes contributed to empiricist thought, particularly in his views on the nature of human beings and society, his work does not encompass the broader philosophical system of empiricism established by Locke. The mention of Immanuel Kant is notable because his critical philosophy synthesized rationalism and empiricism, but he was not a proponent of empiricism in the British sense. Thus, John Locke distinctly stands out as the central figure in British empiricism.