Locke S Theories example essay topic

Mike Miller Essay #1 John Locke was born in Bristol, England, on August 29, 1632. Locke entered Oxford University in England and was influenced by John Owen, Dean of Christ Church College. It was Owen who first introduced Locke to the idea of religious freedom and the idea that people should not be punished for having different views of religion. Locke believed that all sides had the right to be heard.

Moreover, he felts that all conflicts could be solved if the two groups could settle their differences by seeking a middle ground and compromise. Locke loved to read. After college, Locke continued to study and read with passion. He expressed his views about freedom of religion and the rights of citizens. In 1682 the English government saw his ideas as a challenge to the King's authority.

He fled to Holland, and then returned to England in 1689 after the Civil War in England. Shortly thereafter, Locke began publishing his writings, many of which focused on government. Throughout his writings, ! ^0 Locke argued that people had the gift of reason, or the ability to think. Locke thought they had the natural ability to govern themselves and to look after the well being of society! +/- (web). Locke did not believe that God had chosen a group or family of people to rule countries.

He rejected the "Divine Right", which many kings and queens used to justify their right to rule. Instead, he argued that governments should only operate with the consent of the people they are governing. In this way, Locke supported democracy as a form of government. Locke is most famous for his political theory.

Locke believed! ^0 that the original state of nature was happy and characterized by reason and tolerance! +/- (web). In that state all people were equal and independent, and none had a right to harm another's! ^0 life, health, liberty, or possessions! +/- ( web).

The state was formed by social contract because in the state of nature each was his own judge, and there was no protection against those who lived outside the law of nature. The state should be guided by natural law. Locke believed that Rights of property are very important, because! ^0 each person has a right to the product of his or her labor! +/- (web). Locke predicted the labor theory of value.! ^0 The policy of governmental checks and balances, as outlined in the Constitution of the United States, was set down by Locke, as was the doctrine that revolution in some circumstances is not only a right but an obligation! +/- (web) Locke!'s theories are implemented in the U.S. Constitution.

Thomas Jefferson was one of the people who were in charge of drafting the Declaration. Jefferson was inspired by the work of Locke.! ^0 Jefferson found his greatest inspiration in the language and arguments of English philosopher John Locke, who had justified England's "Glorious Revolution" of 1688 on the basis of man's "natural rights" (web). Locke's theory held that government was a contract between the governed and those governing, ! ^0 who derived their power solely from the consent of the governed and whose purpose it was to protect every man's inherent right to property, life and liberty! +/- (web). Jefferson's theory of "natural law" was different compared to Locke!'s because!

^0 substituted the inalienable right of "the pursuit of happiness" for "property", emphasizing that happiness is the product of civic virtue and public duty! +/- ( . age-of-the-sage. org). Locke!'s theories helped write the document, which our country!'s government is based on. His beliefs give us a chanced to say what we want and to believe in what we want. Locke!'s beliefs were supposed to give a state of equality to people. It has been over two hundred years and all people are still not equal.