Who was he? John Locke was an English philosopher born in Bristol the 29th of august 1632 and who died at Oates Essex the 28th of October . His theory of knowledge is qualified em empiricist because he believes that experience is the origin of knowledge. His politic theory is one of the many that founded liberalism. His father was a captain at the parliament in 1648 but was bankrupted during the civil war. Locke learns Latin and Greek and the philosophy of Aristotle at Westminster college from 1646 to 1652. He entered the college of Oxford in 1652. During these years he supported Francis Bacon, Thomas Hobbes and Rene Descartes. It is only after reading some of Descartes' work around 1659 that he got a true interest in philosophy.
Why was he Important? By reading Rene Descartes' work and coming up with his political theory (that founded liberalism), John enlightened England and the 17 century. His ideas he shared in books and salons in France gave others ideas and lead people to freedom and liberalism. His ideas of freedom were of course rejected
Nature of man
In the state of nature men of John Locke, mostly kept their promises and honored their obligations, and, though insecure, it was mostly peaceful, good, and pleasant Princes are in a state of nature with regard to each other. Rome and Venice were in a state of nature shortly before they were officially founded. In any place where it is socially acceptable to oneself punish wrongdoings done against you, for example on the American frontier, people are in a state of nature. Though such places and times are insecure, violent conflicts are often ended by the forcible imposition of a just peace on evil doers, and peace is normal.
Quote
“The American frontier and Soldania as examples of people in the state of nature, where property rights and (for the most part) peace existed.” Henry, Thoreau David. "Thomas Hobbes And John Locke." Essortment Articles: Free Online Articles on Health, Science, Education & More... Essortment, 2011. Web. 05 Sept. 2011. http://www.essortment.com/thomas-hobbes-john-locke-46760.html.
Best form of government He thought that Natural law as a state of equality and freedom was the best form of government that could also maintain peace among people. Locke also believed that government is necessary in order to preserve natural law.
Human rights
John Locke believed that all people had rights, that all should be equal and most importantly, he believed in freedom which he defined as natural law.
Religious tolerance
He believed in religious tolerance based on these three main arguments:
1. Earthly judges, the state in particular, and human beings generally, cannot dependably evaluate the truth-claims of competing religious standpoints
2. Even if they could, enforcing a single "true religion" would not have the desired effect, because belief cannot be compelled by violence
3. Coercing religious uniformity would lead to more social disorder than allowing diversity
It means he believed that anyone had the choice of what they wanted to believe in. Even if the government enforced a religion, it would not be helpful and would result into chaos because people do not like to be forced into believing any religion or opinions. He thought having one religion would be more chaotic than allowing diversity in beliefs.
The perfect society
Since John Locke believed in liberalism, the ideal society for him would be equality and freedom among humans. But he also believed that humans had duties, such as:
-Live their life the way they want to (life he believed was a gift from god, you make it what you want it to be).
-Respect life and freedom, respect other humans as beings, respect any religious thoughts and human rights.
-Live a peaceful life, do not be violent to anyone or anything especially nature, it is like ruining a paint: running God's long work.
-And lastly to respect God and his choices.
Now days Society, is it what he wanted?
Our society today believes and respect human rights. Women found a place to fit in, equality and freedom rules. But actually, globally talking, peace, human rights, equality and freedom is far from being global. Only in a few countries we talk about freedom and human rights but in others women are still not equal, they is very little or even no sense of freedom. If john Locke had to fit in their, he would have very limited choice. But as Hobbes believed, humans either choose appetite or aversion, good or evil.
http://www.philosophypages.com/ph/lock.htm
http://www.historyguide.org/intellect/locke.html
Who was he?
John Locke was an English philosopher born in Bristol the 29th of august 1632 and who died at Oates Essex the 28th of October . His theory of knowledge is qualified em
empiricist because he believes that experience is the origin of knowledge. His politic theory is one of the many that founded liberalism.
His father was a captain at the parliament in 1648 but was bankrupted during the civil war. Locke learns Latin and Greek and the philosophy of Aristotle at Westminster college from 1646 to 1652. He entered the college of Oxford in 1652. During these years he supported Francis Bacon, Thomas Hobbes and Rene Descartes. It is only after reading some of Descartes' work around 1659 that he got a true interest in philosophy.
Why was he Important?
By reading Rene Descartes' work and coming up with his political theory (that founded liberalism), John enlightened England and the 17 century. His ideas he shared in books and salons in France gave others ideas and lead people to freedom and liberalism. His ideas of freedom were of course rejected
Nature of man
In the state of nature men of John Locke, mostly kept their promises and honored their obligations, and, though insecure, it was mostly peaceful, good, and pleasant Princes are in a state of nature with regard to each other. Rome and Venice were in a state of nature shortly before they were officially founded. In any place where it is socially acceptable to oneself punish wrongdoings done against you, for example on the American frontier, people are in a state of nature. Though such places and times are insecure, violent conflicts are often ended by the forcible imposition of a just peace on evil doers, and peace is normal.
Quote
“The American frontier and Soldania as examples of people in the state of nature, where property rights and (for the most part) peace existed.”
Henry, Thoreau David. "Thomas Hobbes And John Locke." Essortment Articles: Free Online Articles on Health, Science, Education & More... Essortment, 2011. Web. 05 Sept. 2011. http://www.essortment.com/thomas-hobbes-john-locke-46760.html.
Best form of government
He thought that Natural law as a state of equality and freedom was the best form of government that could also maintain peace among people.
Locke also believed that government is necessary in order to preserve natural law.
Human rights
John Locke believed that all people had rights, that all should be equal and most importantly, he believed in freedom which he defined as natural law.
Religious tolerance
He believed in religious tolerance based on these three main arguments:
1. Earthly judges, the state in particular, and human beings generally, cannot dependably evaluate the truth-claims of competing religious standpoints
2. Even if they could, enforcing a single "true religion" would not have the desired effect, because belief cannot be compelled by violence
3. Coercing religious uniformity would lead to more social disorder than allowing diversity
It means he believed that anyone had the choice of what they wanted to believe in. Even if the government enforced a religion, it would not be helpful and would result into chaos because people do not like to be forced into believing any religion or opinions. He thought having one religion would be more chaotic than allowing diversity in beliefs.
The perfect society
Since John Locke believed in liberalism, the ideal society for him would be equality and freedom among humans. But he also believed that humans had duties, such as:
-Live their life the way they want to (life he believed was a gift from god, you make it what you want it to be).
-Respect life and freedom, respect other humans as beings, respect any religious thoughts and human rights.
-Live a peaceful life, do not be violent to anyone or anything especially nature, it is like ruining a paint: running God's long work.
-And lastly to respect God and his choices.
Now days Society, is it what he wanted?
Our society today believes and respect human rights. Women found a place to fit in, equality and freedom rules. But actually, globally talking, peace, human rights, equality and freedom is far from being global. Only in a few countries we talk about freedom and human rights but in others women are still not equal, they is very little or even no sense of freedom. If john Locke had to fit in their, he would have very limited choice. But as Hobbes believed, humans either choose appetite or aversion, good or evil.