John Locke: As an Influential Philosopher

Imagine a life where critical thinking was frowned upon. Theoretical and logical ideas

wouldn’t be challenged because they were hardly presented to the public. Some of the most

famous and influential philosophers flourished in times like these.

John Locke is one of the most known philosophers in the world. Born in 1632, Locke hadn’t published most of his work until 1689. even when he had began to publish his essays and writings they were in either a special code and some were even in invisible ink. For fear of losing his life because of his “radical” new ideas, Locke thought that remaining anonymous in his publications was the best idea. Locke was an educated man and attended Westminster School and Oxford University, he graduated with a B.A. in 1656. Locke graduated and eventually became a consultant for the King and Lord Ashley in 1666. Lord Ashley was one of Locke’s good friends, and Locke Lived in Ashley’s home for a while after he graduated school.

Locke had no family after 1663 when his only brother passed away, in 1661 his father had passed away, and in 1654 Locke’s mother passed away as well. Locke was all alone but left with land and a few cottages that provided him with a small, but sufficient income that could support him for the rest of his life. Locke remained unmarried all his life but was known to be around women often and even came close to marriage. Another issue Locke suffered with was his poor health. In 1671, Locke left England and moved to France to get away form the London smog. In France he expanded his theories and ideas on many people he met. After returning to England, Locke began writing An Essay Concerning Human Understanding. Through this paper Locke addressed three main points: gaining knowledge, trusting knowledge, and limits to knowledge.

Locke’s Two Treatises on Government written in 1690 is what our United States Government and laws are largely based on. This writing presents Locke’s main ideas that every person has the right to: life, liberty, and property. Locke’s anti-tyrannical ideas were reflected strongly in the United States Declaration of independence. Locke was unhappy with the way most governments were obtained by force and allowed the people know opinions into there future Kings and Parliament. Although his original theories don’t apply to our lives today in the same way they did when they were written; Locke’s passion for human rights are still the overlying theme of his writings and our democracy.

Locke was a religious Christian, but there are only theories as to what type of Christian he was. His religious beliefs had influenced his writings and some people believe that Locke may have either been a Puritan or an Anglican. Locke’s family were puritans but throughout Locke’s life he claimed to be Anglican, although he avoided becoming an Anglican priest. The main ideas in Locke's Letter on Toleration may sound very familiar. In these letters Locke talks about how he believes there should be a separation between church and state and that the government should not determine what their people should or should not believe. It also states that the church does not have any power over the government. These ideas are also the found in the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. Which states:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Locke’s other ideas are reflected through the constitution as well and

Locke lived a comfortable lifestyle but went through many troubles through out his life. whether these personal obsticles effected his emotions toward his personal beliefes is almost certain.

Locke influences our communities every day with his timeless and important ideals. If Locke’s ideas weren’t pushed into the public eye and discovered by all the small people who eventually made a big difference; there is no way to tell how the world would be now. Without John Locke, everything about our government would be different, not only that but our government may have never been formed. Out of all the influential philosophers that offer their works to our world, Locke was one of the most remarkable.

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http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/locke/