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John Locke

Definition

John Locke was a 17th-century English philosopher who is widely recognized for his contributions to the Enlightenment and his influence on social contract theory. He believed in natural rights, including life, liberty, and property.

Analogy

Think of John Locke as your school's guidance counselor. Just like how your counselor believes that every student has an inherent right to education and personal development (natural rights), Locke believed that all individuals inherently have the right to life, liberty, and property.

Related terms

Natural Rights: These are basic rights that are considered inherent to humans, such as life, liberty, and property. They cannot be taken away without due process.

Enlightenment: This was an intellectual movement during the 17th-18th centuries emphasizing reason and individualism over tradition. It's like when you start questioning your parents' rules based on logic rather than just accepting them because "they said so."

Social Contract Theory: This is a political philosophy concept where people live together in society under an agreement that establishes moral and political rules of behavior. It's like agreeing to classroom rules at the beginning of the year - everyone agrees to follow them for a harmonious learning environment.