John Locke

John Locke (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". Considered one of the first of the British empiricists, following the tradition of Francis Bacon, Locke is equally important to social contract theory. His work greatly affected the development of epistemology and political philosophy. His writings influenced Voltaire and Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and many Scottish Enlightenment thinkers, as well as the American Revolutionaries.

Epistemology

Locke's epistemology (theory of knowledge) does not believe in the existence of innatism and determinism, considering the knowledge of origin sensorial, so it rejects the absolute idea in favor of the mathematical probabilistic. For Locke, knowledge only reaches the relationships between facts, how, not why. On the other hand, he believes perceiving a global harmony, supported by beliefs and self-evident assumptions, so his thoughts also contain elements of rationalism and mechanism.

Political Philosophy

Locke's political theory is based on the concept of the social contract, which states that individuals come together to form a government in order to protect their natural rights. Locke argued that individuals have a natural right to life, liberty, and property. He also argued that the government derives its legitimacy from the consent of the governed. If the government fails to protect the natural rights of the people, the people have the right to overthrow it.

Locke's political theory had a profound impact on the development of American democracy. His ideas were used to justify the American Revolution and the creation of the United States Constitution.

Other Contributions

Locke made significant contributions to other areas of philosophy, including metaphysics, ethics, and education. He was a strong advocate for religious tolerance and freedom of speech.

Legacy

Locke is considered one of the most important philosophers of the Enlightenment. His ideas about knowledge, government, and individual rights continue to be debated and discussed today.

Key Works

• An Essay Concerning Human Understanding (1689)
• Two Treatises of Government (1689)
• Some Thoughts Concerning Education (1693)
• The Reasonableness of Christianity (1695)

Quotes

• "No man's knowledge here can go beyond his experience."
• "The liberty to follow his own choice is the foundation of human happiness and one of the greatest blessings that God has bestowed upon mankind."
• "Government is a compact from the people to the governors for the common good."
• "He who has been taught only by himself has been a poor teacher."
• "A man is but a product of his thoughts. What he thinks he becomes."