It just dawned on me that Halo 5 is going to focus on two characters, one named “John” and one named “Locke” … obviously (or hopefully) not a coincidence. And I’m not talking about the John Locke from Lost either.
Why? I want to hear some speculation … what might we learn from our old Philosopher friend that may add insight to Halo 5?
Text grab from Wikipedia.
> John Locke FRS (/ˈlɒk/; 29 August 1632 – 28 October 1704), was an English philosopher and physician regarded as one of the most influential of Enlightenment thinkers and known as the “Father of Classical Liberalism”.[2][3][4] Considered one of the first of the British empiricists, following the tradition of Francis Bacon, he is equally important to social contract theory. His work greatly affected the development of epistemology and political philosophy. His writings influenced Voltaire and Rousseau, many Scottish Enlightenment thinkers, as well as the American revolutionaries. His contributions to classical republicanism and liberal theory are reflected in the United States Declaration of Independence.[5]
>
> Locke’s theory of mind is often cited as the origin of modern conceptions of identity and the self, figuring prominently in the work of later philosophers such as Hume, Rousseau, and Kant. Locke was the first to define the self through a continuity of consciousness. He postulated that, at birth, the mind was a blank slate or tabula rasa. Contrary to Cartesian philosophy based on pre-existing concepts, he maintained that we are born without innate ideas, and that knowledge is instead determined only by experience derived from sense perception.
That second paragraph is most interesting to me.
Nah, its prob referencing Lost not a philosopher.
Kidding, very interesting theory…
I know a little bit about Locke’s epistemology and metaphysics. He was essentially one of the first modern Empiricists. His theory of Mind is that we are born a “blank slate” and form all of our knowledge through sensations of the world and internal reflections.
To me the only relevance that I see is that ONI Locke is that he is gaining knowledge of the Master Chief, which would be the sensations part of knowledge. I suppose then he might reflect on his actions and make his own decision on what to do when encountering the chief. That is if he is on an assassination mission from ONI.
Pretty broad stretch, but maybe someone else can further this insight. Locke really isn’t a favorite of mine. Also there might be something of more relevance in Locke’s political philosophy which he is more known for anyway.
Anything else, just ask. I can try to expand on anything that doesn’t make sense.
Here is a link as well. John Locke
> I know a little bit about Locke’s epistemology and metaphysics. He was essentially one of the first modern Empiricists. His theory of Mind is that we are born a “blank slate” and form all of our knowledge through sensations of the world and internal reflections.
>
> To me the only relevance that I see is that ONI Locke is that he is gaining knowledge of the Master Chief, which would be the sensations part of knowledge. I suppose then he might reflect on his actions and make his own decision on what to do when encountering the chief. That is if he is on an assassination mission from ONI.
>
> Pretty broad stretch, but maybe someone else can further this insight. Locke really isn’t a favorite of mine. Also there might be <mark>something of more relevance in Locke’s political philosophy which he is more known for anyway.</mark>
>
> Anything else, just ask. I can try to expand on anything that doesn’t make sense.
>
> Here is a link as well. John Locke
That’s what I was thinking … Chief’s apparent AWOL after questioning authority and subsequently being hunted down (even after getting a hero’s welcome aboard the Infinity above Earth) … Locke wasn’t to fond of military control (a bit of a stretch) … but Locke also was an investor in the slave trade, so I honestly have no idea, I was hoping someone smarter than me could find an obvious connection. Maybe there isn’t one.
Well, as someone going for both a Teaching and History major AND as someone who went though a Philosophy course, I figure I can do a bit of spitballing.
As we’ve learned, John Locke was a 17th century philosopher and is credited as the “Father of the Enlightenment”. Core concepts of the Enlightenment involved the use of reason and advancing individualism, ignoring traditions set down long ago as a result. I think this may be important given that Locke seems actively involved with the Arbiter despite seemingly being from ONI. Could be that Locke has no need for ONI’s xenocidal tendencies that would be the old tradition.
I think his presence in the trailer with him examining footage of Chief’s actions and the Arbiter saying that he must ignore the legends speaks of John Locke’s “blank slate” of the mind, thus Agent Locke must form his own conclusions based on his experiences.
It is important to note that John Locke’s work was influential in the ideologies presented in the American and French Revolutions, so perhaps with what Agent Locke’s learns will be important for revolution among the UNSC and ONI.
Assuming it’s intentional (and it very well may be entirely unintentional), the most likely fit for Locke’s philosophy is more of a page out of Rooster Teeth’s RVB repertoire:
Cortana is still “alive” in Chief’s memory. He needs help extracting those memories to resurrect her.
Going from “blank slate” → Locke working with the Arbiter seems a bit of a stretch. That’s more pragmatic and less philosophical, and there are plenty of other, more apropos parallels involving people other than John Locke.
If it’s an intentional play, my bet is on something deeper. Origin of consciousness is sufficiently deep. Of course, it also could be nothing at all.
> Well, as someone going for both a Teaching and History major AND as someone who went though a Philosophy course, I figure I can do a bit of spitballing.
>
> As we’ve learned, John Locke was a 17th century philosopher and is credited as the “Father of the Enlightenment”. Core concepts of the Enlightenment involved the use of reason and advancing individualism, ignoring traditions set down long ago as a result. I think this may be important given that Locke seems actively involved with the Arbiter despite seemingly being from ONI. Could be that Locke has no need for ONI’s xenocidal tendencies that would be the old tradition.
>
> I think his presence in the trailer with him examining footage of Chief’s actions and the Arbiter saying that he must ignore the legends speaks of John Locke’s “blank slate” of the mind, thus Agent Locke must form his own conclusions based on his experiences.
>
> It is important to note that John Locke’s work was influential in the ideologies presented in the American and French Revolutions, so perhaps with what Agent Locke’s learns will be important for revolution among the UNSC and ONI.
EXACTLY what I was thinking after learning of him. He is the “blank slate personified.” Paint actually linked a reference to John Locke in my Marlowe/Locke information collection thread.
Personally… If I was watching somebody ride a bomb into empty space and then (almost) single-handedly take out a Covenant Cruiser… I would have some skepticism about my own merit…
It’s got to be more than just that. Remember the Librarian’s last words. She states that Chief - and the entire Spartan program - is the culmination of thousands of lifetimes of planning. She specifically mentions Cortana as being part of her plan.
In the trailer, two things stand out. First, the Arbiter tells Locke to ignore stories and legends if he wants to find Chief - and also that Chief is more than the sum of his actions. The common theme is that all of these things are things that can be known externally - without knowing who Chief really is. The Arbiter is telling Locke that he will not find Chief without knowing more about him than can just be observed. He has to understand Chief. And what is the primary motivation for Chief’s disappearance? Cortana. Second, the Arbiter’s subsequent statement about why they need Chief is reminiscent of the Librarian’s last words to Chief - which also include mention of Cortana.
Whatever the plan is for H5, both Chief’s past and Cortana figure heavily - regardless of whether she appears as a character. Were “John Locke” to have some meaning, it more sensibly relates to that aspect, where whatever key they are looking for is buried in John’s personal feelings and experiences.
Locke’s theory of mind was not about taking a fresh look at something or ignoring knowledge already gained (i.e., “clearing your mind”). It was that individual identity is the combined product of individual experiences and self-reflection on those experiences. In fact, Locke did not believe that true “clearing your mind” was even possible, as an important part of his theory was that early experiences form the basis for all future self-reflection. Everything we do - according to Locke - is guided by our past.
Tabula rasa was not intended to be interpreted as “deliberately exorcizing preconceptions to figure out a problem”.
This is the most philosophical discussion I’ve seen here.
And it makes sense. That’s the incredible part. Thanks for enlightening me guys!
I can go with this idea. I hope they make this something integral to the story.
“Contrary to Cartesian philosophy based on pre-existing concepts, he maintained that we are born without innate ideas, and that knowledge is instead determined only by experience derived from sense perception.”
-wikipedia
This is exactly what Locke is doing in the trailer. Looking at the Chiefs life experiences
I was just thinking it would be funny if Locke’s first name was John also so that when Locke and MC are together and someone calls out John they would both respond.
And on a soap opera style note what if Locke is MC’s brother?
> It’s got to be more than just that. Remember the Librarian’s last words. She states that Chief - and the entire Spartan program - is the culmination of thousands of lifetimes of planning. She specifically mentions Cortana as being part of her plan.
>
> In the trailer, two things stand out. First, the Arbiter tells Locke to ignore stories and legends if he wants to find Chief - and also that Chief is more than the sum of his actions. The common theme is that all of these things are things that can be known externally - without knowing who Chief really is. The Arbiter is telling Locke that he will not find Chief without knowing more about him than can just be observed. He has to understand Chief. And what is the primary motivation for Chief’s disappearance? Cortana. Second, the Arbiter’s subsequent statement about why they need Chief is reminiscent of the Librarian’s last words to Chief - which also include mention of Cortana.
>
> Whatever the plan is for H5, both Chief’s past and Cortana figure heavily - regardless of whether she appears as a character. Were “John Locke” to have some meaning, it more sensibly relates to that aspect, where whatever key they are looking for is buried in John’s personal feelings and experiences.
>
> Locke’s theory of mind was not about taking a fresh look at something or ignoring knowledge already gained (i.e., “clearing your mind”). It was that individual identity is the combined product of individual experiences and self-reflection on those experiences. In fact, Locke did not believe that true “clearing your mind” was even possible, as an important part of his theory was that early experiences form the basis for all future self-reflection. Everything we do - according to Locke - is guided by our past.
>
> Tabula rasa was not intended to be interpreted as “deliberately exorcizing preconceptions to figure out a problem”.
This wins an internet. I feel like, after reading this thread, I could pass a test about this guy…
> Dont tell me what I can’t do!
This is wonderful but…where is the wheelchair. No wait, that’s why he joined the Spartan Program.