Research Paper John Locke

Research Paper John Locke

John Locke was an English philosopher and physician regarded as one of the most influential of Enlightenment thinkers and known as the “Father of Classical Liberalism.” Considered one of the first of the British empiricists, following the tradition of Sir Francis Bacon, he is equally important to social contract theory. His work greatly affected the development of epistemology and political philosophy. His writings influenced Voltaire and Rousseau, many Scottish Enlightenment thinkers, as well as the American revolutionaries. His contributions to classical republicanism and liberal theory are reflected in the United States.

Locke’s major political analysis in the Second Treatise of Government argues for individual natural rights, limited government, separation of powers, and the right of people to overthrow a failed leader. However, out of the many great thoughts in different themes of Locke, two critical ideas dominated that laid open to him to perceive philosophy as the subject to life. Furthermore, some of his two central notions had stolen the attention whenever his political and philosophical work was pointed out. While taking into consideration some of his thoughts like the “Natural law” and the “state of nature,” he advocated for the freedom of life, the freedom to own properties, and the right to liberty. His main objective was to inform people that each person has a duty and responsibility towards another person. The obligations and responsibilities as stipulated involve protecting an individual’s life by not enslaving and stealing from another person. However, this opinion is has been used by many scholars who were in agreement with John Locke. Even though his theory tried to emphasize the importance of individual rights and limiting state authority. Locke’s concept of private property was not always accepted and still creates controversial discussions. He places the right to property on the same level as the right to life and liberty.