<P> The Innate Knowledge thesis is similar to the Intuition / Deduction thesis in the regard that both theses claim knowledge is gained a priori . The two theses go their separate ways when describing how that knowledge is gained . As the name, and the rationale, suggests, the Innate Knowledge thesis claims knowledge is simply part of our rational nature . Experiences can trigger a process that allows this knowledge to come into our consciousness, but the experiences don't provide us with the knowledge itself . The knowledge has been with us since the beginning and the experience simply brought into focus, in the same way a photographer can bring the background of a picture into focus by changing the aperture of the lens . The background was always there, just not in focus . </P> <P> This thesis targets a problem with the nature of inquiry originally postulated by Plato in Meno . Here, Plato asks about inquiry; how do we gain knowledge of a theorem in geometry? We inquire into the matter . Yet, knowledge by inquiry seems impossible . In other words, "If we already have the knowledge, there is no place for inquiry . If we lack the knowledge, we don't know what we are seeking and cannot recognize it when we find it . Either way we cannot gain knowledge of the theorem by inquiry . Yet, we do know some theorems ." The Innate Knowledge thesis offers a solution to this paradox . By claiming that knowledge is already with us, either consciously or unconsciously, a rationalist claims we don't really "learn" things in the traditional usage of the word, but rather that we simply bring to light what we already know . </P> <P> Rationale: "We have some of the concepts we employ in a particular subject area, S, as part of our rational nature ." </P> <P> Similar to the Innate Knowledge thesis, the Innate Concept thesis suggests that some concepts are simply part of our rational nature . These concepts are a priori in nature and sense experience is irrelevant to determining the nature of these concepts (though, sense experience can help bring the concepts to our conscious mind). </P>

Who was a dutch rationalist whose philosophy was based on determinism