The name "John Locke" is one that may ring a bell, not only for its significance in 17th century politics but also in psychology. Born in Somerset, England in 1632, Locke received his education at the University of Oxford and later expanded his sphere of influence in philosophy. (Microsoft Encarta Online Encyclopedia, 2004) Now known as the founder of Empiricism, he was inspired by the empiricist theories of Francis Bacon and provided a more methodic, accessible expression of his intrinsic ideas. (Encarta, 2004) Empiricism was a philosophy based on the notion that humans are born with a tabula rasa, or "blank slate," upon which a person's experiences and perceptions are recorded throughout her life. (Bernstein et al, 1997) Locke acknowledges that humans have inherent propensities that monitor our thought, emotion, and bodily processes, but that concepts of religion, politics, math, and science are all impressions that have resulted from experience. ("British Empiricism," 2001) Knowledge, he said, begins with perception, and self-knowledge- introspection. We are not born wise!.
In addition to founding Empiricism, John Locke had a strong political influence. He was opposed to the "divine right of kings," believing rather in civil and natural law, which stated that all men were born good and equal. (Encarta, 2004) Many of these principles were later embodied in the United States Constitution. But with the invention of Empiricism alone, psychology was able to advance as a science. All of the different approaches being used today trace their roots back to John Locke and his empiricist followers.
