“It is of great use to the sailor to know the length of his line, though he cannot with it fathom all the depths of the ocean.”
- August 29, 1632 – October 28, 1704
- Born in England (UK)
- Philosopher and political thinker
- He advocated the social contract theory and natural rights, and was called the father of British empiricism and liberalism, laying the foundations for modern democracy.
Quote
“It is of great use to the sailor to know the length of his line, though he cannot with it fathom all the depths of the ocean.”
Explanation
In this quote, John Locke uses the metaphor of a sailor’s line to illustrate the limits of human knowledge. The length of the line represents the tools and knowledge that humans possess, while the ocean’s depths symbolize the vastness of what remains unknown or unknowable. Locke suggests that while it is useful for individuals to understand the limits of their knowledge and abilities, they should not expect to understand everything, especially when dealing with complex or infinite matters. This reflects Locke’s belief in the importance of empirical knowledge—what can be known through experience—while acknowledging that not all questions can be answered, particularly those that go beyond human capacity or understanding.
Locke’s historical context, during the Enlightenment, saw significant advancements in scientific and philosophical inquiry. The era was marked by a growing confidence in the ability of reason and observation to answer questions about the natural world. However, Locke’s acknowledgment of the limitations of human understanding serves as a reminder that humility is necessary, even in the face of newfound knowledge. While reason and science can explain many phenomena, Locke suggests that there will always be mysteries beyond our grasp, much like the ocean’s depths that no sailor can fully explore.
In modern times, this quote resonates with the ongoing pursuit of knowledge, especially in fields like science, philosophy, and technology. Despite significant progress, we still encounter vast unknowns, whether in the universe’s deepest corners or the complexities of human consciousness. For example, space exploration has revealed only a small fraction of the cosmos, and advances in artificial intelligence raise new questions about the limits of machine learning. Locke’s metaphor encourages an awareness of the limits of human understanding, urging us to be pragmatic in our quests for knowledge while also accepting that some aspects of the world may remain beyond our reach.
