Innateness: meaning, definitions and examples
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innateness
[ ɪˈneɪtnəs ]
philosophy, psychology
Innateness refers to the idea that certain skills or concepts are hard-wired into the brain at birth, rather than being acquired through experience. This concept is often discussed in the fields of psychology and philosophy, particularly in debates surrounding nature vs. nurture.
Synonyms
heredity, inbornness, native quality
Examples of usage
- The debate over innateness often focuses on language acquisition.
- Many psychologists argue for the innateness of moral understanding.
- The theory of innateness suggests that some behaviors are instinctual.
Translations
Translations of the word "innateness" in other languages:
🇵🇹 inato
🇮🇳 स्वाभाविकता
🇩🇪 Anlage
🇮🇩 kecenderungan bawaan
🇺🇦 вродженість
🇵🇱 wrodzoność
🇯🇵 生得性
🇫🇷 innéité
🇪🇸 innatez
🇹🇷 doğallık
🇰🇷 선천성
🇸🇦 فطرية
🇨🇿 vrozenost
🇸🇰 vrodenosť
🇨🇳 天生性
🇸🇮 vrojena narava
🇮🇸 innfæddur
🇰🇿 туындайтын
🇬🇪 ბადაგი
🇦🇿 doğma
🇲🇽 innatez
Etymology
The word 'innateness' is derived from the Latin word 'innatus', meaning 'innate', which combines 'in' (in) and 'natus' (born). The concept has its roots in philosophical discussions dating back to ancient Greece, where thinkers like Plato and Aristotle explored the origins of knowledge and understanding. The modern usage of the term became significant during the 20th century, particularly in the context of linguistic theory and cognitive psychology, as scholars like Noam Chomsky advocated for the idea that certain linguistic capabilities are intrinsic to all humans. This perspective has largely influenced debates in modern psychology regarding the balance of inherent traits versus learned experiences in shaping human behavior and understanding.