... where he died in 1704. Founder of Empiricism A pursuit of knowledge purely through experience, especially by means of observation and sometimes by experimentation could be explained as 'Empiricism'. John Locke was considered to be the founder of Empiricism. His first book (Essay Concerning Human Understanding) concerned arguing with Plato, Descartes and other scholars citing that there are no original ideas ... any possessions. But he said this while suggesting that there should be a degree of social control over the whole concept of private property in the state. The Concept of Gove...

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... and Philosophy in addition to that he studied medicine. Anthony Ashley Cooper, the first earl of Shaftesbury in the future, was an acquaintance of John Locke had a strong influence of his philosophical method and thought. He then latter became a friend, doctor, and an adviser in 1667 he had ... of simplicity and moderation and the love of liberty. John's father's influence of devotion to liberty in particular would carry on to Locke's philosophical beliefs. John Locke studied at Christ College Church,Oxford University where he studied rhetoric, grammar, moral philosophy, geometry, and th...

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... Glorious Revolution and offered ideas that were used later in the development of democratic governments. He had a dramatic influence on the Enlightenment Period. This essay will briefly outline Locke's theories about the formation of political societies as they appear in his Second Treatise of Government. First it will discuss why people form political societies; next it will outline ... . al. 525). During the Enlightenment, men began to question the belief system of the past and began to interpret things through science, mathematics, and laws of nature. Locke's works were widely read by ...

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... state can get too hostile and people willingly give their selves, their possessions, and their rights to the greater good of the population. Locke and Rousseau similarly believe that mankind does not want naturally chaos and hostility, but instead prefer peace, cooperation, protection, and respect. Ultimately, ... of government. Not just the creation of government, but the role of government also varied according to the different ideas developed by Locke and Rousseau. Locke and Rousseau are both liberal in their political views, either one focusing on equality amongst the population and ...

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... the most important distinctions between these two philosophers on their views of the rights of the sovereign? What was the novelty of Hobbes and Locke's theory with respect to the sources of the legitimacy of political power (Sovereign) and political institution (the state)? It is often said ... that our thoughts mirror the environment to which we are exposed to. With Thomas Hobbes and John Locke, one could certainly argue this point. Both were exposed to a tumultuous time in England history and lived through a civil war. Experiencing this ... man from natural rule to governmental rule...

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... we must use our senses for philosophy. Empiricists believed that one had to use his or her senses in acquiring information, and therefore could not use only reason. Locke believed that when we are born, our mind is a clean slate of sorts, and that the only way to add to this slate was to acquire ideas ... from sensual experience. Locke said that we do not experience a whole object at once, such as an apple. Instead, we experience one aspect of the apple at a time, ranging from taste ... we must use our senses for philosophy. Empiricists believed that one had to use his or her senses in a...

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... society should run. He attempts to devise an argument that will define the limits of political power while establishing the rights of resistance. Locke has many points that come together to create his argument. These are primarily based on the basic principles that natural equality when combined ... with legitimate authority will lead people and their property, out of a state of nature and into a better, stronger, and more stable society. Locke's main point on property is that all human bodies are property of that person. He illustrates this view when he states, " Through the earth ... ....

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... have started off with a parent or at least a parental figure in their lives. These parental figures exert control over their lives, but how is that free? Locke explains this by saying "Children, I confess, are not born in this state of equality, though they are born to it. Their parents have a sort of ... you submit to the rules of the majority and must abide by the rules of the majority. While Hobbes preferred the rule of government be a monarchy, Locke preferred one by the people. However, since people are all born under some form of government, they are not in fact free and at liberty...

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... arbitrary power over himself or over any other", thus no man can transfer absolute arbitrary power over to another or a government (p.70)." Also, Locke pointed out that an absolute or arbitrary government would not preserve the most important intentions of a society, being the protection of life, liberty, ... the state of nature. Hence, political sovereignty comes from the consent of the governed, rather then a partriarchial or absolutist theory suggested by Bodin. Locke believed that individuals needed a government to keep them in check, but "it must be with his own consent, i.e. the co...

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• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... Nature consisted of. Rousseau argues that this state was and still is the perfect state for man, where he is free, autonomous and virtuous. Locke agrees with Rousseau, that man is free naturally, but also adds that people are entitled to three undeniable rights: life, liberty and property. ... someone else's apple, I am being competitive by nature. Then competition does exist in Rousseau's State of Nature and this basically discredits his theory. Locke's essential argument is that people are born equal, with natural rights in a state of nature in which they live free from outside rule. ...

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... within society people develop a social contract. The differences between them derived from how the social contract is established, and what exactly constitutes a social contract. Despite these differences, Hobbes and Locke agreed that certain freedoms had been surrendered for society's protection and that the government has definite responsibilities to its citizens. In order to understand how the contrasting views adopted by ... Hobbes and Locke in relation to how the "state of nature" is reflected in the state, the various factors surrounding each theory need to be examined. Hobbes beli...

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... Parliamentary forces battled King Charles I over matters of taxation, political power, and true religion. His father argued and fought with the Parliament, and showed his Puritan religious views. Before college, Locke reviewed a basic education from his father before entering the Westminster School. There he studied, and prepared for Oxford college, because his family was wealthy enough to send him there. At ... all, denying the claims of privileged groups, localities, or religions to special treatment and requiring the equality of all citizens before law. These concepts originated from t...

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... governed and those who were appointed to be in authority to govern others. It was a form of understanding made between the two parties. John Locke argued that there can be a peaceful co-existence among citizens without necessarily having to be controlled by a person or group of persons. There can ... are democratically chosen to represent the others. Those who are elected democratically will have to act in the best interest of the majority. John Locke's argument gets even more complicated as he proposes the introduction of a money economy where an individual can store excess wealth that h...

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... objective manner. This is why a neutral judge or "umpire" is needed to enforce the law of reason and equality between human beings. Locke then discusses the importance of property and how property alters human nature's equal freedom. He argues that "property is his own person" (287 ... in a way putting a piece of yourself into that property. Your property is then "protected by government" (299) because property is private liberty. Locke argues that "Government has no other end than the preservation of property." "The government takes on this integral role because liberty is impossible wi...

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... must always help another individual facing imminent harm justifies resistance to a state that uses unjust force against its citizens. Involved deeply in the theory of consent is Locke's interpretation of political obligation. Locke views government as essential to the evolution of a civil society in which the inconveniences of the state of nature are rejected while the safety and security men ... ensures that malfunctioning government does not dissolve the political rights of a society. When a government violates the rights of a community, it dissolves its legitimate claim to govern. As ...

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... developed theories on human nature and how men govern themselves. With the passing of time, political views on the philosophy of government gradually changed. Despite their differences, Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau, all became three of the most influential political theorists in the world. Their ideas and philosophies spread all over the world influencing the creation of many new ... philosophers all recognize that people develop a social contract within their society, but have differing views on what exactly the social contract is and how it is established. Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau ...

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... belong to a political society. The individuals will do their part in that political society as long it's a government that is for the people. Locke jumps from "State of Nature" to "Law of Nature" which justifies killing an individual in self-defense if that person is invading the freedom of ... a liberty to destroy him; God and nature never allowing a man so to abandon himself, as to neglect his own preservation" (P.93). One of Locke's most intriguing chapters is Chapter 5, on property. He uses a good example with fruit describing how one comes upon individual property. For example the a...

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... was a strengthening of the idea of liberty. The Middles Ages led to the revolution in understanding called "The Scientific Revolution" preceding the Enlightenment. This is a time were many of John Locke's ideas were formed and created from. The Scientific Revolution was a vital time period that led to the Enlightenment. Scientists made many important discoveries. One scientists, Sir Isaac Newton, scientific ... and open debate, religious tolerance, jury trials, and especially legal protection of individual rights. Unlike Hobbes, who believed that a government was necessary to control the...

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... of Nature, man, the Civil State and power of the sovereign. Two prime examples of differences verses similarities in political philosophers is Thomas Hobbes and John Locke. Thomas Hobbes lived from 1588-1679; he resided in England during the reign of Henry VII, who was a monarch, followed by Elizabeth I and ... only government in the world, is indeed inconsistent with Civil Society, and so can be no form of civil government at all" (Locke 50). Locke sees separation of powers as the best form of government. He feels that power must be separated between the Executive and Legislative branch...

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... believe that certain people should be treated any better or any worse than the average man, that everyone should be treated equally. When it come's to Locke, he believes that in his state of nature there should be not have laws or a sovereign that controls the people, that people are free to ... person confronts another is a state of war present because anyone can kill anyone else without the fear that they will be punished by a higher power. Locke also believed that men could live together appropriately and live under reason with his state of nature that there was no reason to have a so...

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... what was best themselves. Since he thought that men were capable of making responsible choices, one could conclude that on the topic of smoking, Locke would say that smoking was a personal choice. However, he would probably also add that smoking should only take place in private since he believed ... the right to decide if they are going to own a firearm, and that it is their responsibility to look after, and use that firearm responsibly. Locke would not make everyone register their firearm, keep records, or invade privacy, he believed in life, liberty and property, not strict law and o...

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... reasons for and justifications of the American colonies" separation from the rule of England echoes closely the theory of government presented by John Locke in his Second Treatise of Government. Jefferson's theory of revolution somewhat mirrors Hobbes's idea that the "natural rights of the citizen"(Source ... that government exists as one of the basic institutions in the world of human affairs, meant to protect the natural rights of humankind. Locke stated the most crucial natural rights as being "life, liberty, and property." Every man or woman has an equal, natural right to ... right...

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... society works towards no great goal and the government in place never dissolves for the need to protect private property never ceases. As abovementioned, Locke's supposition is that there is an unlimited amount of resources. Under this supposition, it would be safe to say that most individuals created would ... so as to not have to eliminate a companion, it is done simply to stave off every individual's personal possibility of getting voted off. Locke believes that the government should be modeled after the family, but not the patriarchal family so common in his time. Rather, the parent...

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... over their own person or property, they have not the right to harm themselves or anybody else under their control. That state of nature is in Locke's viewpoint a moral state where people live in harmony with God's will and reason. Since each individual possesses natural rights, the state of nature ... in the state of nature is not sufficient power (no precise laws written) to protect people and natural rights. As has been noted, Locke in his theory shows that the natural rights exist already in state of nature.. This rights are not derived by the government regulations and ... for their ...

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... what the consequences. Such as, when they stole Piggy's glasses so they could start a fire. There were two opposite views on natural rights, by Locke and Hobbes. Locke's theory however proved to work more effectively. He felt that people anywhere had the right to rebel, as Jack did, in the movie against Ralph's ways ... make the island run better. Government is the most important role in a society, as they control the laws and they protect people. Hobbes and Locke had different ideas on this, but Locke's ideas work the best. There should be a government in society, but they shouldn't hav...

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• Grade Level: High School