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 important things did John Locke Do?
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.
Who is John Locke and what is he known for?
John Locke FRS (/lɒk/; 29 August 1632 – 28 October 1704) was an English philosopher and physician, widely regarded as one of the most influential of Enlightenment thinkers and commonly known as the “Father of Liberalism”.
What is John Locke’s most well known ideas?
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 Locke believe about government?
Locke favored a representative government such as the English Parliament, which had a hereditary House of Lords and an elected House of Commons. But he wanted representatives to be only men of property and business. Consequently, only adult male property owners should have the right to vote.
What did John Locke say about natural rights?
Locke wrote that all individuals are equal in the sense that they are born with certain “inalienable” natural rights. That is, rights that are God-given and can never be taken or even given away. Among these fundamental natural rights, Locke said, are “life, liberty, and property.”
What was John Locke’s main contribution to the Enlightenment?
John Locke’s contributions to the enlightenment had a great deal to do with the inspiration of America today. He was a philosopher who developed the philosophy that there were no legitimate government under the rights of kings theory.
What did John Locke argue was the most important role of government?
Locke claims that legitimate government is based on the idea of separation of powers. First and foremost of these is the legislative power. Locke describes the legislative power as supreme (Two Treatises 2.149) in having ultimate authority over “how the force for the commonwealth shall be employed” (2.143).
Did John Locke believe in democracy?
Unlike Aristotle, however, Locke was an unequivocal supporter of political equality, individual liberty, democracy, and majority rule.
What is Locke’s view on liberty?
According to Locke, we are born into perfect freedom. We are naturally free. We are free to do what we want, when we want, how we want, within the bounds of the “law of nature.” The problem that most have in understanding this theory of Locke’s is their frame of reference.
What are John Locke’s 3 natural laws?
Theorists such as the English philosopher John Locke believed that if a ruler goes against natural law and fails to protect “life, liberty, and property,” then the people are justified in overthrowing the existing state.
Who was John Locke What did you benefit from his ideas?
John Locke was among the most famous philosophers and political theorists of the 17th century. He is often regarded as the founder of a school of thought known as British Empiricism, and he made foundational contributions to modern theories of limited, liberal government.
What did John Locke contribute to American government?
Locke was one of the creators of the idea of the separation of powers, which makes public bureaucracy unique, because it must balance the often‐conflicting demands of the executive and legislative branches. He was an important link in the development of modern executive and legislative power.
What were the three natural rights?
17th-century English philosopher John Locke discussed natural rights in his work, identifying them as being “life, liberty, and estate (property)“, and argued that such fundamental rights could not be surrendered in the social contract.
Did John Locke believe in freedom of speech?
Locke neither supported a universal toleration of peoples nor freedom of speech; according to his ideas, some groups, such as atheists, should not be allowed.
