John Locke and His Philosophies

John Locke, one of the most influential philosophers of his time, was born on August 29, 1632 in Wrington, a small village in England. His father, also named John, had been a lawyer as well as a military man who once served as a captain in the parliamentary army during the English civil war. Locke’s parents were both very devout Puritans and so to no surprise, Locke himself was raised with heavily Puritan beliefs. Because Locke’s father had many connections to the English government at the time of his growing up, John was given a rare gift at that time, an outstanding education.

In 1647, when Locke would have been only 15 years old, he was enrolled at the Westminster School in London. After only a very short time at this school, Locke had already earned the honor of being named a King's Scholar. This award was one that would surely pave the way for Locke to attend Christ Church in Oxford 5 years later.

At Christ Church Locke immersed himself deeply in many various subjects. An apparent interest in experimental science soon became one of Locke’s main focuses at this school. Very little is known of Locke’s early medical studies but Locke’s apparent knowledge of medicine led him to eventually meet Lord Ashley, who later became known as Earl of Shaftsbury. The two grew extremely close and Shaftsbury was able to persuade John Locke to move with him to London in order to become his own primary physician. John Locke’s responsibilities grew along with Shaftsbury's political stature. Locke was soon seen as indispensable in many domestic and political matters in the eyes of Shaftesbury, as well as many others.

Locke’s health had always been very much below average and he suffered dramatically in the harsh London climate. Locke eventually ...

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...d (Locke, 4). By exploring these two ideas of the social contract between a government and its people, as well as the natural rights of man, Locke created many waves in England, as well as impacted several important intellectuals who would later be responsible for the American and French Revolutions.

John Locke has been widely regarded as one of the most important philosophers and writers not only of his time, but also of all time. He has influenced a large number of modern day philosophers in areas such as political philosophy, epistemology, and education. But his sphere of influence does not stop there. Locke was also known for his theories concerning separation of Church and State, religious freedom, and liberty. It is hard to say how far our society would have advanced without John Locke and many of us may not have the rights and civil liberties we do today.