John Locke Jeffin Biju, Justin Feller, Rokas Kazimieraitis, Franccesca Scheckel and Claire Kuszysnki

Early Life and Beliefs

Early Life John Locke was born on August 29, 1623 in Wrington, England. In 1647, he enrolled in the prestigious Westminster School. Following the completion of his studies, he was sent to Christ Church, Oxford, where he grew irritated with the classical material taught there, finding the works of modern philosophers, such as Descartes, considerably more interesting (he would go on to criticize Descartes in 1690’s Essay of Human Understanding).

Early Life Acted as a Secretary to both the Boards of Trade and Plantations and the Lords Proprietors of Carolina throughout much of the 1660s. Was heavily involved in English politics, on account of his close ties with the founder of the Whig party, touring much of Europe as both an assistant and personal physician to various politicians.

Early Life Fled to the Netherlands in 1683 due to fears of involvement in the Rye House Plot, returning home five years later, accompanied by William the Orange and his wife Mary (Glorious Revolution, anyone?) Became an intellectual hero for the Whigs, often meeting with such noted figures as John Dryden and Isaac Newton.

Main Beliefs John Locke was raised as a Puritan, because of this he did everything in moderation. He also believed that he was to help make the New Jerusalem in the colonies. Other than being Puritan he strongly believed in how to raise your child because they would be the new leaders for Parliament. He believed in people having three natural rights; life, liberty, and property. This lead him to believe you should only rebell if the government prevents you from using those rights.

Main Beliefs His beliefs on education was that education was liberty and that in order for a child to give their full potential they should be homeschooled rather than go to a government school because there they would pick and choose what to show students. He also believed that monopolies who took over other peoples businesses were evil and that it is the governments fault for not outlawing them.

Published Works

An Essay Concerning Human Understanding Published 1690, but he had been working on since 1671 Established the principles of modern Empiricism, the theory that knowledge comes from sense-experience States that human knowledge is limited

Two Treatises of Civil Government Distinguished between fair and unfair governments Claimed that governments are made to protect the right to life, liberty, and property Argued that people have the right to overthrow the government if rights have been taken away because people gave them power

Two Treatises of Civil Government Life The first attacked Sir Robert Filmer and his text Patriarcha, which defended divine power Property Liberty The second states theory of natural right

Quotes and Fun Facts

Famous Quotes “Now I think the Natural Interest of Money is raised two ways: First, When the Money of a Country is but little in proportion to the Debts of the Inhabitants one amongst another.” Locke, John. Consequences of Lowering of Interest. 1691. “No church is obliged as a matter of toleration to retain as a member anyone who, after warnings, continues obstinately to offend against the society’s laws.” Locke, John. A Letter about Toleration. 1689. “Every man has an immortal soul that is capable of eternal happiness or misery. Its happiness depends on his believing and doing the things that he needs to believe and do if he is to obtain God’s favour—the things that are prescribed by God for that purpose.”

Famous Quotes “The purpose of a religious society (I repeat) is the public worship of God and through that the acquisition of eternal life.” Locke, John. A Letter about Toleration. 1689. “Every man has a property in his own person. This nobody has a right to, but himself.” More Quotes found on: http://www.egs.edu/library/john-locke/quotes/

Fun Facts He was the father of Liberalism. He was a co-founder of social contract theory. One of the greatest influential minds during the Enlightenment. He influenced the fields of epistemology and political philosophy. His contributions to classical republicanism and liberal theory are reflected in the writings of the Declaration of Independence. Zodiac Sign: Virgo He was single all his life.

Legacies and Influences

Legacies Influences A lot came the works and ideas of John Locke.His ideas of the 3 natural rights (life, liberty, and property) became the basis of United States Declaration of Independance. His work inspired other writers such as Voltaire. His work was the foundation for modern philosophical empiricism and political liberalism. Locke was inspired by Lord Ashley, also known as the Earl of Shaftsbury. His political influence helped Locke come up with his ideas. Raised as a Puritan his beliefs also influenced his work. He also admired the work of those like Descartes.

Works Cited John Locke. (2014). The Biography.com website. Retrieved Oct 22, 2014, from http://www.biography.com/people/john-locke-9384544. The European Graduate School. (2012). John Locke: Biography and John Locke Quotes. Website. Retrieved Oct. 22, 2014. From: http://www.egs.edu/library/john-locke/quotes/ http://www.egs.edu/library/john-locke/biography/ Koernig, Bob. (N/A). The Puritan. Website. Retrieved Oct 22, 2014. From: http://www3.gettysburg.edu/~tshannon/hist106web/site15/bobs/puritanbeliefpage11.htm Powell, Jim. (1996). John Locke: Natural Rights to Life, Liberty, and Property. Website. Date Retrieved: Oct. 22, 2014. From: http://fee.org/the_freeman/detail/john-locke-natural-rights-to-life-liberty-and-property John Locke. (2014). The Famous People website. Retrieved Oct 22, 2014. From: http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/john-locke-134.php.