John Locke

JOHN LOCKE

John Locke, a British statesman, philosopher and political theorist, was a principle source of the enlightenment. His spirit pervades the American Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights and is the basis of the liberal tradition that aims to protect individual liberty from despotic state authority.

BY

STEVEN BARNES

Western Civilization

History 102 Section 21

22 September 2006

Steven Barnes

Professor Kellie K. Bradshaw

History 102 Section 21

22 September 2006

JOHN LOCKE

The British philosopher, statesman and political theorist John Locke had many beliefs from human nature to political power. What it is and where it is from but in his views and interpretations a whole different perspective is realized.

In the primary source document "Of Paternal, Political, and Despotical Power, considered together." It is led to believe that Locke's human beliefs were characterized by reason and tolerance. As Locke's interpretation of human beliefs were determined, naturally all people were considered equal and independent. According to John Locke, humans in the state of nature have free will to determine their actions without having to ask permission from any other person. With all said people are of equal value, and treat each other as they would want to be treated. People only leave the state of nature when they are given the approval to take part in a group, community or society.

Locke's interpretations are divided into three categories idealist, materialist and dualist. Idealists are believers in philosophy are holding material objects that do not exist independently of the mind. Materialist is somebody who supports the view that physical matter is the only reality. Dualist is a philosophical theory based on the idea of concepts, such as the theory that human beings are made up of the body and the mind or soul. In these categories the definitions well explain how humans view society. In human nature John Locke's belief about it is that we as