John Locke was an English philosopher and political theorist who was born in 1632 in Wrington, Somerset, England, and died in 1704 in High Laver, Essex. He is recognized as the founder of British empiricism and the author of the first systematic exposition and defense of political liberalism .
Who is John Locke and why is he important?
The English philosopher and political theorist John Locke (1632-1704) laid much of the groundwork for the Enlightenment and made central contributions to the development of liberalism. Trained in medicine, he was a key advocate of the empirical approaches of the Scientific Revolution.
What theory of government was John Locke best known for?
Among Locke's political works he is most famous for The Second Treatise of Government in which he argues that sovereignty resides in the people and explains the nature of legitimate government in terms of natural rights and the social contract.
What did John Locke believe in?
Locke's political theory was founded upon that of social contract. Unlike Thomas Hobbes, Locke believed that human nature is characterised by reason and tolerance . Like Hobbes, Locke believed that human nature allowed people to be selfish. This is apparent with the introduction of currency.
What is John Locke known for saying?
“ Being all equal and independent, no one ought to harm another in his life, health, liberty, or possessions .” – John Locke. 2. “Reading furnishes the mind only with materials of knowledge; it is thinking that makes what we read ours.”
What are John Locke's 3 natural rights?
Among these fundamental natural rights, Locke said, are “ life, liberty, and property .” Locke believed that the most basic human law of nature is the preservation of mankind.
What was the impact of John Locke?
Often credited as a founder of modern “liberal” thought, Locke pioneered the ideas of natural law, social contract, religious toleration, and the right to revolution that proved essential to both the American Revolution and the U.S. Constitution that followed.
In simple terms, Locke's social contract theory says: government was created through the consent of the people to be ruled by the majority , “(unless they explicitly agree on some number greater than the majority),” and that every man once they are of age has the right to either continue under the government they were ...
What are two interesting facts about John Locke?
- John Locke's actual name is John Locke, Jr. ...
- John Locked graduated from the University of Oxford. ...
- John Locke studied medicine and served as a physician. ...
- John Locke was mentored by Lord Ashley and Thomas Sydenham. ...
- He is accused of hypocrisy due to the Constitutions of Carolina.
How does John Locke influence today's society?
He leaves a legacy of thoughts on human understanding, religion, economics, and politics that still influence the structure, environment, and operation of public administration today. He is most noted for his concept of separation of powers and for his ideas about property as the basis for prosperity.
Did Locke believe in God?
According to Locke, the existence of God is an instance of demonstrable knowledge in any reasoning being . ... Thus, from the fact that there is now thinking in the universe, it follows that there always has been thinking in the universe; the first eternal being from which all else flows must itself be a thinking thing.
Why is John Locke the best philosopher?
John Locke was a British philosopher and physician who lived from 29th August 1632 to 28th October 1704. He is one of the most outstanding of enlightenment thinkers, who explained many of the ideas that affect human life in today's society . ... It addresses the aspect of natural and legal rights (Jenkins and John 41).
Who was John Locke and what did he believe?
John Locke (1632–1704) is among the most influential political philosophers of the modern period. In the Two Treatises of Government, he defended the claim that men are by nature free and equal against claims that God had made all people naturally subject to a monarch .
What is Thomas Jefferson's most famous quote?
“ We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal. . . .” “it is the great parent of science & of virtue: and that a nation will be great in both, always in proportion as it is free.” “our liberty depends on the freedom of the press, and that cannot be limited without being lost.”
Did Locke believe in democracy?
Unlike Aristotle, however, Locke was an unequivocal supporter of political equality, individual liberty, democracy, and majority rule .
What is the law of nature John Locke?
Beyond self-preservation, the law of nature, or reason, also teaches “all mankind, who will but consult it, that being all equal and independent , no one ought to harm another in his life, liberty, or possessions.” Unlike Hobbes, Locke believed individuals are naturally endowed with these rights (to life, liberty, and ...
