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John Locke Strengths And Weaknesses

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John Locke (29 August 1632 – 28 October 1704) is a English philosopher and physician regarded as one of the most influential of the Enlightenment thinkers and known as the "Father of Classical Liberalism”. Locke got a scholarship to Oxford University where he spent 30 years at Oxford, studying, tutoring, and writing. He wrote influential political science and philosophy. Locke 's famous theory had to do with the Social Contract theory. The Social Contract covers the origin of government and how much authority a state should have over an individual. In the Two Treatises of Government (1689), he defended the claim that men are naturally free and equal against claims that God had made all people naturally subject to a monarch. With both biblical and philosophical justifications, Locke argued in defense of constitutionalism. He believed God gave Adam natural rights like; life, liberty, and property in the book of Genesis and Adam passed it on to the rest of …show more content…

His strengths were outlined throughout history as his ideas became an important part of modern law. For example, Locke’s ideas of the right to life, liberty, and property are considered fundamental rights in our society today with the vast majority agreeing that it is important. In addition, Locke’s idea of separating government powers is used in current day legal systems. On the other hand, his weaknesses and flaws within his theory supported a unpredictable and unstable government. By letting citizens control how people were punished for crimes without a higher power to set our guidelines for the offenses/punishments caused injustice in some cases as similar cases begin to vary in punishment. Furthermore, famous philosophers found several flaws in his plan. Thomas Hobbes argued that if society were on the basis of natural law, society would develop an “every man for himself” mentality, causing

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His work was often cited by revolutionary Americans. “Locke helped inspire Thomas Paine’s radical ideas about revolution. Locke fired up George Mason. From Locke, James Madison drew his most fundamental principles of liberty and government. Locke’s writings were part of Benjamin Franklin’s self-education, and John Adams believed that both girls and boys should learn about Locke”.

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He had a large influence on King James I of England. In a speech to the parliament, King James I said “First, that you do not meddle with the main points of government; that is my craft” (doc 1). King James is basically telling the parliament that he is the king and it is his job to rule and they can't tell him what to do. This supports Hobbes philosophy because Hobbes said only one person should rule with very little interference. Locke had an influence on the United States Constitution.

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New England was fed up with the Church of England and the Puritans wanted to recreate their own religion which they thought was more what God had believed was the intended belief. They both decided that neither of them like the way England was set up and said that England was no good for their beliefs. They planned to leave England and go to the new world to set up a life where their children had the chance to be raised in a perfect society with no corruption. Concentrated on town life and industries, they made a living off of fishing, whaling and shipbuilding. Whale oil was key because it made their lamps.

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In his Second Treatise of Government, Locke revealed his interests in new science, developing theories of education and knowledge (SMW, 34). One of the main points in his Treatise is that of the law of nature, where all men are in natural state of perfect freedom (SMW, 34). Locke argues, “Men being…by nature all free, equal, and independent,

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Locke helped shape the United States government and many other nations governing systems around the world. Locke believed all men were born with the rights of life or your natural rights of liberty, the pursuit of happiness, and a government should protect and respect the rights of individuals. Under the protection of your government he believed “whom the society hath set over itself, with this express or tacit trust, that it shall be employed for their good, and the preservation of their property: now this power, which every man has in the state of nature, and which he parts with to the society in all such cases where the society can secure him, is to use such means, for the preserving of his own property, as he thinks good, and nature allows him; and to punish the breach of the law of nature in other” (Document C). By introducing natural rights the common people gained more power through an equality between all men. Natural rights gave people the right to possess and protect their own property both physical items and personal ideals.

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The rights of “life, liberty, health, and possessions” are an essential key in having a balanced life. The Two Treatises on Government written by John Locke, influenced most ideas in the Declaration of Independence and The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen. This document influenced Enlightenment ideas such as religious toleration, the sovereignty of the people, press freedom, the right to rebel, and no taxation without representation. These documents helped create a better society in the word today.

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John Locke, one of the most influential writers in history, born August 29, 1632 in Wrington, United Kingdom and died October 28, 1704 in High Laver, United Kingdom. He was 72 when he died. John Locke wisely affected the government of the United States. He affected the understanding of, religion, economics, and politics that still influence the structure, environment, and public administration. He was known for his view of powers held and for his ideas about property as the basis for success.

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Locke believed that people were born with natural rights that included the right to life, liberty, and property. Locke argued that people formed governments to protect their natural rights, so the best kind of government was one with limited power and was accepted by all citizens. Locke said that a government has an obligation to the people it governs, therefore, the people have a right to revolt if the government fails at its obligations. Like many other Enlightenment philosophers, John Locke’s ideas reflected on the checks and balance system as well as the Declaration of Independence. For example, in the Declaration of Independence, it says, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

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He attended Christ Church, Oxford when he was twenty, studying medicine and graduating a bachelor 's degree in medicine in 1656. He practiced medicine for a while and was a personal physician for Caleb Bank. Here he began to get into politics, where then he wrote Two Treatises of Government. Written before its time, Locke’s ideas were composed against absolute monarchies and more focused onto the natural rights of man. Later being added to his works, An Essay Concerning Human Understanding, becoming the “Father of Liberalism”.

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John Locke, a renowned physician and philosopher, was born on August 29, 1932, in a small village in the English county of Somerset, Wrington. His father worked as a country lawyer and served as a caption in the Parliamentarian forces during the English civil war. His parents were staunch Puritans, and thus, he was raised with Puritan sentiments as well. Due to his father’s services for the Parliamentarian forces and allegiance to the new English government, Locke received brilliant academic opportunities. In 1647, he was admitted to the Westminster School in London.

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John Locke is viewed as a standout amongst the most essential scholars and political scholars. He is known as the "Father of Liberalism" and was one of the primary British empiricists. His work on the hypothesis of the express, the hypothesis of learning, religious toleration, and medication has secured him a place in the pantheon of worshipped educated people. Locke was conceived on August 29, 1632 in Wrington, Somerset, England, to John Locke, a nation legal advisor and agent, and Agnes Keene. Both of his folks were Puritans.

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John Locke was a philosopher and political scientist. He had many interests and produced a number of writings that influenced future leaders. One of these leaders was Thomas Jefferson, who was involved with the aid of America and the act gaining independence from Britain. The Declaration of Independence and Locke’s views on government contain many similar aspects. These ideas includes the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness (natural rights); the protection that is provided by the government for these rights; and the altering or abolishment of government if it fails to provide and protect the rights of the people.

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He represents a significant turning point in humanity’s social or cultural development because his writings about how every man should have the right to his property and liberty has influenced many people and even America represents this idea. Locke considers this to be a human’s natural right and now should show control over it. According to the article Pride, Property, and Providence, “Jonathon Edwards recalled that when he first read Locke’s Essay Concerning Human Understanding, he was “beyond expression entertain’d and pleas’d with it”” (Caleb 1). This shows that Locke’s one philosophy about natural rights has gained significance because it defines justice and it shows sincerity towards the citizens of a country.

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In the article,” John Locke: Natural Rights to Life, Liberty, and Property” written by Jim Powell, discusses how Locke’s writings inspired the American Revolution, as well as, his view of the government. Locke viewed that the government is ethically required to serve people, namely by protecting life, liberty, and property. He favored the rights of an American citizen. His political view he found in society was determined to be equal, but understandably turned out to be much overwhelming, since the government was in power making all the decisions. Additionally, Locke believed in a government by law since he opposed dictatorship.

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The belief that everyone, by virtue of their humanity, is entitled to certain human rights is not very old, however, its roots lie in earlier traditions, philosophical theories and documents of many cultures and religions. It was only after the World War II that these human rights were presented and recognized globally. Since ages, people have acquired certain kinds of rights and responsibilities through their membership in a group – a family, indigenous nation, religion, class, community, or state. Most societies have had traditions like the "golden rule" of "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

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