John Locke
Definition
John Locke was an influential Enlightenment thinker known for his contributions to political philosophy. His ideas about natural rights and government greatly influenced democratic thought.
Analogy
Imagine John Locke as your favorite coach who believes that every player on the team has inherent skills (natural rights) that should be respected. The coach also thinks that if he isn't doing a good job leading the team (government), players have the right to choose a new one (consent of governed).
Related terms
Tabula Rasa: Latin term meaning "blank slate," used by Locke to describe how we acquire knowledge through experience.
Social Contract Theory: A theory suggesting people live together in society under an agreement that establishes moral and political rules of behavior; heavily influenced by Locke's philosophies.
Enlightenment Era: An intellectual movement during the 17th-18th centuries emphasizing reason, individualism, skepticism towards traditional institutions; Locke was a significant figure during this period.
"John Locke" appears in:
Study guides (2)
Practice Questions (6)
- Which primary source was written by John Locke discussing governmental power and natural rights?
- How did John Locke's "Two Treatises of Government" (1690) shape political ideologies during the Glorious Revolution?
- Which work by John Locke discusses natural rights to life, liberty, and property?
- If John Locke had not written "Two Treatises of Government," how could this absence potentially affect the trajectory of political thought in Europe?
- How did John Locke's "Two Treatises of Government" impact political ideologies in Europe for centuries to come?
- What revolutionary idea did John Locke introduce through his writings in the Age of Enlightenment?
Resources
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