an animal can adapt to the new situation, but can still apply the knowledge that it learns for a somewhat extended period of time. Therefore, learning increases the chances of success as opposed to guessing and adapts to changes in the environment as opposed to innate knowledge. See also Anamnesis Concept Fitra Idea Instinct Nature versus nurture Platonism Psychological nativism Tabula rasa References Citations Classical texts Descartes, René. Meditations on First Philosophy with Selections from the Objections and Replies, translated by John Cottingham (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1986). Locke, John. An Essay Concerning Human Understanding. 1690. Leibniz, Gottfried. Discourse on Metaphysics and Related Writings, edited and translated by R. N. D. Martin and Stuart Brown (Manchester and New York:Manchester University Press, 1988). Recent studies Carruthers, Peter. Human Knowledge and Human Nature. A New Introduction to an Ancient Debate, New York : Oxford University Press, 1992. Chomsky, Noam. Aspects of the Theory of Syntax. (Cambridge, Mass, 1965) Kaldis, Byron. "Leibniz' Argument for Innate Ideas" in Just the Arguments: 100 of the Most Important Arguments in Western Philosophy edited by M Bruce & S Barbone (Blackwell, 2011). Ridling, Zaine (2001). "Philosophy: Then and Now A look back at 26 centuries of thought." Types and Expressions of Rationalism, pp. 514–515. Access Foundation. Unger, Wolfgang. "Nativism in the Light of Locke's Critique on Innate Principles." Term Paper in Phil 702, Locke's Essay. Department of Philosophy, University of Massachusetts, Amhernt. University of California Santa Barbara, Department of Philosophy: PowerPoint: Locke's attack on innatism. External links Samet, Jerry, "The Historical Controversies Surrounding Innateness", The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy Essay: Nativism in the Light of Locke’s Critique on Innate Principles The Rationalist Tradition A priori Concepts Concepts in epistemology Concepts in metaphysics Epistemological theories Metaphysics of mind Ontology Philosophy of mind Rationalism Theory of mind