John Locke

John Locke[1†]

John Locke (1632-1704) was an English philosopher and physician, widely regarded as one of the most influential Enlightenment thinkers and commonly known as the "father of liberalism"[1†]. He was born in Wrington, Somerset, England, and died in High Laver, Essex[1†][2†][1†].

Locke’s works lie at the foundation of modern philosophical empiricism and political liberalism, particularly classical liberalism[1†][2†]. His philosophical thinking was close to that of the founders of modern science, especially Robert Boyle, Sir Isaac Newton, and other members of the Royal Society[1†][2†]. His political thought was grounded in the notion of a social contract between citizens and in the importance of toleration, especially in matters of religion[1†][2†].

Early Years and Education

John Locke was born in 1632 in Wrighton, Somerset[3†][2†]. His father was a lawyer and small landowner who had fought on the Parliamentarian side during the English Civil Wars of the 1640s[3†]. Using his wartime connections, he placed his son in the elite Westminster School[3†][4†].

Between 1652 and 1667, John Locke was a student and then lecturer at Christ Church, Oxford[3†]. Here, he focused on the standard curriculum of logic, metaphysics, and classics[3†]. He also studied medicine extensively and was an associate of Robert Hooke, Robert Boyle, and other leading Oxford scientists[3†]. His father was ambitious that he join the Church, but Locke maintained a life-long interest in ecclesiastical matters and much preferred to study medicine[3†][4†].

Locke’s family was sympathetic to Puritanism but remained within the Church of England, a situation that colored Locke’s later life and thinking[3†][2†]. Raised in Pensford, near Bristol, Locke was 10 years old at the start of the English Civil Wars between the monarchy of Charles I and parliamentary forces under the eventual leadership of Oliver Cromwell[3†][2†].

Career Development and Achievements

John Locke’s career was marked by a series of significant contributions to philosophy, politics, education, and more[5†][6†]. He is recognized as the founder of British empiricism and the author of the first systematic exposition and defense of political liberalism[5†][2†][5†].

Locke’s most renowned work, “An Essay Concerning Human Understanding”, was published in December 1689[5†]. In this book, Locke examines the human mind with respect to its contents and operations to uncover the basis of human knowledge and understanding[5†]. The book is divided into four parts, each focusing on different aspects of understanding, including the rejection of innate ideas, the role of experience in idea formation, the role of language in our theorizing, and the nature and limitations of human knowledge[5†].

Locke’s political thought was grounded in the notion of a social contract between citizens and the importance of toleration, especially in matters of religion[5†][2†]. His ideas on limited government, religious tolerance, and individual rights have had a lasting impact on the development of democratic principles and constitutional governance[5†][7†].

Apart from his contributions to philosophy and political theory, Locke also made significant contributions to the fields of theology, religious tolerance, and educational theory[5†]. His writings have had a tremendous impact on subsequent western thought, and his influence remains even three centuries after his death[5†].

First Publication of His Main Works

John Locke’s most significant works are “An Essay Concerning Human Understanding” and “Two Treatises of Government”. These works were not published until he was nearly 60[8†].

• An Essay Concerning Human Understanding (1689): This work explores the theory of ideas and contains Locke’s argument that certain kinds of knowledge—knowledge of the existence of God, certain moral truths, and the laws of logic and mathematics—are not innate, or automatically imprinted on the human mind[8†][9†]. Locke argues that an idea cannot be “in the mind” until one is conscious of it[8†][9†]. He believed that all knowledge, including moral knowledge, is derived from experience[8†][9†]. The text also explores the distinction between the “primary” and “secondary” qualities of physical objects[8†][9†]. The influence of this essay was enormous, perhaps as great as that of any other philosophical work apart from those of Plato and Aristotle[8†][9†].
• Two Treatises of Government (first edition published in 1690 but substantially composed before 1683): In this work, Locke defended a theory of political authority based on natural individual rights and freedoms and the consent of the governed[8†][10†]. This work, along with his other writings, had a profound influence on the theory and practice of limited representative government and the protection of basic rights and freedoms under the rule of law[8†][10†].

Locke’s works were first published as a collection in 1714, and were regularly reprinted until 1824[8†][11†]. The set includes “An Essay Concerning Human Understanding” and its defenses against Stillingfleet, the papers on money, and "Several Thoughts Concerning Education"[8†][11†].

Analysis and Evaluation

John Locke’s works, particularly “An Essay Concerning Human Understanding” and “Two Treatises of Government”, have been subject to extensive analysis and evaluation[12†][13†].

• An Essay Concerning Human Understanding: This work is a masterclass in two key critical thinking skills: evaluation and reasoning[12†]. Locke’s argument that certain kinds of knowledge are not innate but are instead determined by experience derived from sense perception is a concept now known as empiricism[12†][14†]. This idea has greatly influenced modern conceptions of identity and the self[12†][13†].
• Two Treatises of Government: The first treatise is a long and incisive dissection of the arguments in Sir Robert Filmer’s Patriarcha, a book that defended the doctrine of the divine right of kings[12†]. Locke carefully rebutted Filmer’s arguments, concluding that his argument for patriarchy was weak to the point of invalidity[12†]. In the second treatise, Locke constructs his own argument concerning the sources of legitimate power, and the nature of that power[12†]. He argues that civilised society should be based on natural human rights and the social contract[12†]. This work has had a profound influence on modern politics, the American Constitution, and beyond[12†].
• Theory of Property: Locke’s theory of property is central to his political philosophy[12†][13†]. He believed that the creation and preservation of property constitute the foundation of the state of nature and civil society, respectively[12†][13†]. His chapter on property is a philosophical treatise expounding the natural right to property as the basis of civil government[12†][13†]. It also serves as an exposition of the economic benefits of the English plantation and a defence of England’s right to American soil[12†][13†].

Locke’s works have been praised for their relevance, adequacy, and convincing arguments[12†]. His ideas have had a lasting impact on political theory and continue to be influential today[12†].

Personal Life

John Locke was born on August 29, 1632, in Wrington, Somerset, England[15†]. His father, also named John Locke, was a country lawyer and a small landowner who had served as a captain of cavalry for the Parliamentarian forces during the English Civil War[15†]. His mother’s name was Agnes Keene[15†]. Locke was raised in Pensford, near Bristol[15†][2†]. The first of the English Civil Wars broke out when Locke was 10 years old[15†][16†]. This conflict was between supporters of the monarchy of Charles I and parliamentary forces that would eventually be led by Oliver Cromwell[15†][16†].

Unfortunately, there is not much information available about Locke’s personal relationships or family life beyond his early years. It is known that he never married and had no children[15†][1†]. He was deeply involved in his studies and work, which may have left little time for personal pursuits[15†][1†].

Conclusion and Legacy

John Locke’s legacy is his enduring influence on philosophy, politics, and the development of democratic societies[17†]. His ideas on natural rights, limited government, religious tolerance, and empiricism continue to shape our understanding of human rights, governance, and the pursuit of knowledge[17†].

By the time of his death, Locke was justifiably proud of his accomplishments in epistemology, political philosophy, educational theory, and religious enquiry[17†][18†]. However, he also had good reason for concern because many of his deepest convictions were not accepted by the vast majority of his contemporaries, several of his works were under fire, and significant issues in his thought remained unresolved[17†][18†].

Locke’s conviction that truth could be found and was worth seeking inspired the way he lived, and is an example of intellectual courage[17†][19†]. Although such a belief is harder to defend today, some still live as though it were true[17†][19†]. His conviction that truth is independent of human desires and tastes, and that at least part of it lies within the reach of human understanding, is a simple and widespread conviction[17†][19†].

Locke’s philosophy had a profound impact on how men have good reason to live their lives. If truth does in the end depend upon human desire, and if men have no end but their own wills, then the life which Locke himself lived was a ludicrous exercise in self-denial[17†][19†]. Nearly three centuries later, the same is still likely to be true of many aspects of our own lives[17†][19†].

Key Information

• Also Known As: Unknown
• Born: John Locke was born on August 29, 1632, in Wrington, Somerset, England[2†].
• Died: He died on October 28, 1704, in High Laver, Essex, England[2†].
• Nationality: English[2†]
• Occupation: Philosopher, physician[2†]
• Notable Works: Some of his notable works include “A Letter Concerning Toleration”, “An Essay Concerning Human Understanding”, “Essays on the Law of Nature”, “Some Thoughts Concerning Education”, “The Reasonableness of Christianity” and "Two Treatises of Government"[2†].
• Notable Achievements: Locke’s work laid the foundation for modern philosophical empiricism and political liberalism. His contributions to classical republicanism and liberal theory are reflected in the United States Declaration of Independence[2†][3†]. His theory of mind is often cited as the origin of modern conceptions of identity and the self[2†][3†].

References and Citations:

1. Wikipedia (English) - John Locke [website] - link
2. Britannica - John Locke: English philosopher [website] - link
3. History - John Locke - Biography, Beliefs & Philosophy [website] - link
4. World History - John Locke [website] - link
5. Learnodo Newtonic - John Locke’s 10 Major Contributions And Accomplishments [website] - link
6. Famous Scientists - John Locke - Biography, Facts and Pictures [website] - link
7. Have Fun With History - 10 John Locke Accomplishments [website] - link
8. Psychology Encyclopedia - John Locke - Major works, Theory of knowledge - Mean Example, Ideas, and Mind [website] - link
9. Britannica - John Locke [website] - link
10. Britannica - What are John Locke’s most famous works? [website] - link
11. • Wythepedia: The George Wythe Encyclopedia - The Works of John Locke Esq., in Three Volumes [website] - link
12. Taylor and Francis - An Analysis of John Locke's Two Treatises of Government [website] - link
13. Oxford Academic - John Locke and America: The Defence of English Colonialism - Colonialism: Locke's Theory of Property [website] - link
14. SparkNotes - Selected Works of John Locke: Ideas [website] - link
15. The Famous People - John Locke Biography [website] - link
16. Britannica - John Locke [website] - link
17. Facts.net - Turn Your Curiosity Into Discovery [website] - link
18. Cambridge University Press - John Locke - Chapter: Conclusion [website] - link
19. Oxford Academic - Locke: A Very Short Introduction - Conclusion [website] - link