John Locke
English philosopher and physician (1632–1704), often called the "father of liberalism".
At a glance
Main ideas
Government by consent, Toleration, Tabula rasa …
See all 5Books to start with
A Letter Concerning Toleration, Two Treatises of Government, An Essay Concerning Human Understanding …
See all 4Connections
Lord Shaftesbury, George Berkeley and 2 others
See all 4
Also on this page: Key facts · Links · Sources · Related pages
- Locke was an English philosopher and physician, one of the most influential thinkers of the Enlightenment.
- He spent 15 years at Christ Church, Oxford, then became an associate of Lord Shaftesbury and held government posts.
- After Shaftesbury fell from favour he went into exile in the Netherlands, returning to England in 1689.
- He then published A Letter Concerning Toleration, Two Treatises of Government and An Essay Concerning Human Understanding.
- He spent his last years in the household of Sir Francis and Lady Damaris Masham at Oates Manor in Essex.
Why it matters
- His arguments for government by consent, toleration and natural rights shaped liberal theory and are echoed in the United States Declaration of Independence; his empiricism shaped modern ideas of the mind and personal identity.
Key facts
- Born
- 29 Aug 1632, Wrington, Somerset1
- Died
- 28 Oct 1704, Oates Manor, Essex; buried at All Saints' Church, High Laver1
- Education
- Westminster School; Christ Church, Oxford1
- Royal Society
- Elected a Fellow in 16681
- Exile
- In the Netherlands, from 1683, after Lord Shaftesbury fell from royal favour1
- Public office
- Commissioner of Trade and Plantations1
- Slave trade
- Listed as a shareholder in the Royal Company of Adventurers Trading to Africa, which traded in slaves from 16631
Main ideas
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Government by consent1
Government rests on the consent of the governed, and people may revolt against a tyrannous government that has lost it.
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Toleration1
Religion is a matter for the individual and churches are voluntary associations, ruling out religious coercion.
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Tabula rasa1
The mind at birth is a blank slate; knowledge comes from experience through the senses.
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Property from labour1
Mixing one's labour with nature removes resources from the common state and makes them one's own.
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Separation of powers1
He advocated it, and held revolution to be not only a right but in some cases an obligation.
Books to start with
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A Letter Concerning Toleration1
On religious toleration; published anonymously.
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Against divine-right monarchy and for government by consent; published anonymously.
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An Essay Concerning Human Understanding1
His account of the mind and knowledge from experience.
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Some Thoughts Concerning Education1
On education.
Connections
Related
- Lord ShaftesburyHis patron from 1666; Locke followed him into politics and then into exile
- George BerkeleyPersonHis Principles and Dialogues argue against Locke
- A Treatise Concerning the Principles of Human KnowledgeBookSeeks largely to refute Locke's account of perception
Links
Sources
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