Which theory suggests that people are born with minds like blank slates?

The theory that suggests people are born with minds like blank slates is known as "tabula rasa." This concept was most famously articulated by philosopher John Locke, who argued that individuals are shaped by their experiences and environment rather than by innate ideas or predetermined traits. In this view, the human mind starts as a blank slate, and knowledge is acquired through sensory experience and reflection.

This idea contrasts with theories that assert people are born with certain inherent characteristics or knowledge. Social Contract theory, for example, focuses on the legitimacy of political authority and the agreement among individuals to form societies. Empiricism emphasizes knowledge derived from sensory experience, while Utilitarianism is a moral theory that advocates for actions that maximize overall happiness or utility. However, none of these theories directly encapsulate the notion of the mind as a blank slate from birth.