John Locke (1632–1704) was an English philosopher and political theorist, often dubbed as the “Father of Liberalism.” His ideas about natural rights, the social contract, and the separation of powers greatly influenced modern political thought and the development of liberal democracy.
Born in Wrington, England, Locke studied at Christ Church, Oxford, where he earned a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in medicine. He was later a lecturer at the same institution and practiced medicine professionally.
Locke’s most famous work, the “Two Treatises of Government,” was published anonymously in 1689. The first treatise refutes the notion of the divine right of kings, while the second outlines his revolutionary ideas. He postulated that humans, in a state of nature, are free, equal, and bound by the law of nature to not harm others in their life, health, liberty, or possessions. For Locke, government’s legitimacy comes from the consent of the governed, who enter into a social contract to protect their rights. If a government fails to fulfill its part of the contract, the people have the right to revolt and install a new government.
In his “Essay Concerning Human Understanding,” Locke also made substantial contributions to epistemology, arguing that knowledge is not innate but gained through experience and reflection. He emphasized empirical evidence as the basis of knowledge, laying the groundwork for empirical methodology in both science and philosophy, which characterizes the Age of Enlightenment.
Locke’s writings influenced many Enlightenment thinkers, including Voltaire and Rousseau. His ideas on government greatly impacted the development of political institutions, particularly evident in the American Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution. Locke’s notions of the self and identity continue to be central themes in philosophy, psychology, and neuroscience.