John Locke

John Locke (August 29 1632 – October 28 1704) was a 17th-century English philosopher concerned primarily with society and epistemology. Locke's notions of a "government with the consent of the governed" and people's natural rights—life, liberty, and property—had an enormous influence on the development of political philosophy. His ideas, which formed the basis for the concepts used in American law and government, allowing the colonists to justify revolution, are often contrasted with his practice of investing in the English slave-trade. Locke's epistemology and philosophy of mind also had a great deal of significant influence well into the Enlightenment period. Locke has been placed in a group called the British Empiricists, which includes David Hume and George Berkeley. Locke is perhaps most often contrasted with Thomas Hobbes.

Influence

Locke exercised a profound influence on subsequent philosophy and politics. His remarks concerning liberty and the social contract later influenced the written works of Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and other Founding Fathers of the United States. In particular, the Declaration of Independence drew upon many 18th century political ideas, derived from the works of Locke.

Related Topics:
Liberty - Social contract - Thomas Jefferson - James Madison - Founding Fathers - United States - Declaration of Independence

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Appraisals of Locke have therefore been tied to appraisals of the United States and of liberalism in general. Detractors note that he was a major investor in the English slave-trade, as well as his participation in drafting the Fundamental Constitution of the Carolinas while Shaftesbury's secretary, which established a feudal aristocracy and gave a master absolute power over his slaves. Some see his statements on unenclosed property as having justified the displacement of the Native Americans. Because of his opposition to aristocracy and slavery in his major writings, he is accused of hypocrisy, or of caring only for the liberty of English capitalists. Most scholars reject these criticisms, however, questioning the extent of his impact upon the Fundamental Constititution and his detractors' interpretations of his work in general.

Related Topics:
Liberalism - Shaftesbury - Secretary - Unenclosed - Property - Native Americans - English - Capitalists

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