John Locke Background Essay

John Locke’s Early Life and Education

John Locke, who was born and raised in Wrighton, Somerset in 1632, was the son of a lawyer who had fought for the post of parliamentarian during the English civil wars of the 1640s. He attended the prestigious Westminster School before becoming a professor at Christ Church, Oxford. John Locke was also a political theorist and English philosopher, established a firm foundation in the field of enlighten and made marvelous contributions towards the development of liberalism. Locke was a trained physician who advocated for scientific revolution through empirical research. He also facilitated the political arena through formulation of political theories directed at governance by consent of the governed by protection of life, estate and liberty. He also advocated for religious tolerance that helped in the separation of the church from the government.

John Locke’s Influence on American History

John Locke was a very important figure in the American history yet most forgotten in most memories. An educator, theologian, an official of the government, and a philosopher, John Locke made a tremendous contributions and a substantial influence on the thinking of American people. Without figures like Locke, its quite obvious that there might be no better America or rather a more stable, quality life full of rights America. His contribution led to government stability quality life and advanced levels of rights experienced today in America (Smith, 2014).

How Society Remembers John Locke

John Locke did change the America and influenced the world through his political ideas such as the natural, property and civil rights and the emphasis on the responsibility of the government to protect the rights of its citizens. He formulated and stipulated ideas relating to life, pursuit of happiness and state of being free from oppressive restriction that are imposed by an authority on an individuals political views, behavior and way of life. His ideas led to much enlightenment and emergence of quality effective thinkers. John Locke also helped in limiting the power of the government through the representation of the rule of law that is effective today, a feature well appreciated by every American citizen. The society has always remembered John Locke by expressing their civil rights through revolting whenever the government fails to fulfill its obligations such as when the government fails to protect the rights of an individual (Smith, 2014).

Locke’s Impact on Knowledge and Education

In his Essay Concerning Human Understanding, John Locke states what limits human understanding. His expression in the complete state of human mind at birth, that progresses through experience. This is a fact that the society appreciates and embraces through the acquisition of knowledge through seeking education and career advancements.

Locke’s Influence on Government Systems

Through John Locke’s proposed theory on the Two Treaties of Government, the society remembers him by acting in sensible manner through self-regulating themselves. The governments also appreciate this work of Locke by putting up systems of checks and balances. The government of America and other nations appreciated John Locke’s works by adopting a system of government that comprised of the three branches i.e. the legislature responsible for formulation of laws of the land, the executive that runs the administrative roles of the government and the judiciary or Federative responsible for the implementation of laws of the land (Lind, 2016).

Locke’s Influence on Democracy and Individual Rights

The society also appreciates Locke’s policies by exercising democracy through selection of leaders by means of voting. People are able to demonstrate and revolt against the same government they chose suppose the government is unable to protect the labor rights and any other fundamental rights of an individual.

Impact on Religious Tolerance

Because of the works of John Locke on the issues of Tolerance, the church was able to clearly distinguish itself from the government and since then the church is not responsible for persecution activities as it was in the ancient times. The church is unable to expel any church member from amongst them if he or she fails to appreciate and embrace the beliefs pf the church. This is because the church cannot be certain about the truth in the beliefs they teach and embrace. For this reason the faith had absolutely no right to punish a believer in case they digress or become open-minded. For this reason, many today are able to freely decide their way and means of worship and what theological advances to take up in their lives.

Legacy and Significance

Most revolutionaries of the current societies, congress men and political figures and stakeholders appreciates Locke’s works and pays tribute to him by encouraging the society to associate together before they can formulate rules for the government. The society also embraces these works by acknowledging and understanding their fundamental rights such as the protection of life, living life in liberty and expressing freely their gift of free will (Lind, 2016).

Conclusion

In conclusion, the works of John Locke have in a big manner significantly contributed towards the development of the current status of America and her people. His works have led to the establishment of rights enjoyed by every individual and the embracement of the power of reason. Society also pays tribute to Locke’s works by expressing themselves by use of logic, ethics and embracing good behaviors in their lives. It is therefore evident the John Locke play a significant role towards revolution, civilization and development to the American people and the world.

References

Smith, L. S. (2014). Reexamining America’s public philosophy. Modern Age, 56(2), 7- 17)

Lind, M. (2016). Lockepolitik. National Interest, (143),