There were many philosophers throughout the Enlightenment period. Some of these great thinkers shared similar views on related ideas, others differed completely. I personally agreed most with John Locke's philosophies. Locke was born in 1632 and died in 1704. His works concerned human nature, how the structure of a society should be set up, and other issues to that effect. Locke's philosophies and books are all applicable to our society today and some of our country's political foundations are based on his notable philosophies. I agree with his reasoning on why an absolute monarchy is no form of a civil government. I believe that the people who make the decisions for their country are their country and that "the people" should have equal power and all be on the same level socially and politically. Like Locke, I believe that a superior to judge between right and wrong and to punish those who do wrong is absolutely necessary, yet the power should be in the hands of the people and not a monarch. Before the enlightenment, both secular and religious worlds were in a power struggle and became extremely corrupt, proving that "absolute power corrupts absolutely". Locke stated ".and have a common established law and judicature to appeal to, with authority to decide controversies between them and punish offenders" (Civil Society). I have no doubt that to have structure and a judicial system in a society is essential and without it there would be complete and utter chaos. I also agree with Locke on the subject of why a civil society is better and more productive then living in the state of nature. Locke's "state of nature" was a state of liberty, and all people were considered equal, but there was no authority to enforce the law which I believe to be greatly problematic. Without laws or government, a state or country is bound to be inextricable and completely disorganized which are not good conditions.
