John Locke
Bryce V. And Joy K.
Biography
Family History
Born on August 29, 1632 in Wrington, Somerset, England
Puritan parents
Excellence education due to father's connections to the English government
Christ Church, University of Oxford -- studied medicine, logic, metaphysics, classical languages, then later Master of Arts.
Political Affiliations/Loyalties
Lord Anthony Cooper, 1st Earl of Shaftesbury and founder of the Whig movement, greatly influenced Locke's political ideas.
Whig party - group against tyranny
Leaned more towards democratic ideals and beliefs
Very renowned political philosopher and our founding fathers received inspiration from him for our constitution.
Believed men were free and equal
Right to revolution
Right to replace a government that fails to uphold certain rights to citizens and fails the pop. You can then replace them with a new government (revolution can be justified).
Separation of church and state, separate branches of gov. Legislative and executive
Contribution to Colonial Development and Independence
Wrote several essays, including Second Treatise Concerning Civil Government, expressing his radical views on government.
Governments are obliged to serve their people
Everyone has certain inalienable rights to their lives, liberty, and properties.
explained basic idea of checks and balances
favored representative government over tyranny
- Locke’s writings inspired and gave ideas to several men, including George Mason, Thomas Paine, James Madison. His theories were used to write the Constitution and Declaration of Independence.
Integrity and Citizenship
Integrity
Definition: the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness.
John Locke displayed integrity during his life. By standing by his moral principles and wanting equal rights for citizens, these are two aspects that show he was a whole person and had strong morals.
Citizenship
Definition: playing an active part in society
- Although John Locke did not disobey any laws, he spoke out against the Parliament and monarchy. He did not display citizenship and was not a model citizen in the English society.
Sources
- http://www.biography.com/people/john-locke-9384544
- http://www.chch.ox.ac.uk/visiting
- http://constitutioncenter.org/
- http://www.fee.org/the_freeman/detail/john-locke-natural-rights-to-life-liberty-and-property#axzz2dEUK8dQx
- http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/locke-political/
- http://raymondpronk.wordpress.com/2012/01/29/john-locke-the-second-treatise-of-civil-government-videos/
- http://youtube.com/watch?v=bjIwkvhGsoo