John+Locke

Aim: Ashlee Riehl


John Locke was an extremely influential person in the 1600s. He was considered one of the most important creators of the theory of enlightenment and classical liberalism. His theory of enlightenment included the philosophy of mind and empiricism. Empiricism is the philosophical idea about any true beliefs or positions are all gained through prior experience. The main aim of John Locke’s writings and teachings were about social and political theory based on personal enlightenment, which was highly centered on individual thought and learning from experiences, which was referred to as human understanding. "For I thought that the first Step towards satisfying the several Enquiries, the Mind of Man was apt to run into, was, to take a Survey of our own Understandings, examine our own Powers, and see to what Things they were adapted" (Locke). This quote, from Locke's writing on understanding, shows a basis for the aim of his theory. Through surveying understanding and powers of one self, it is clear that adaptations exist. Locke used this idea that by observing what human experiences are, one could see how they have changed because of those experiences.The aim of this idea was to show humans that human understanding lead into his Theory of Self, which in turn works into enlightenment. Locke focused on the theory of self, relating back to the philosophy of mind. This philosophy was aimed at the conscious human and the consciousness of feelings such as pleasure or pain and how those are all contained inside a single being and how those feelings affected that being. John Locke’s main aim was to translate these ideas of enlightenment and the individual into his ideas of politics and social issues. In politics, John Locke’s theory of classical liberalism played a huge role in the shaping of the United States government. The main belief John Locke associated with classical liberalism is liberty and complete acknowledgment of unalienable and individual rights.

"Empiricism (philosophy)." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d. Web. 19 Oct. 2012.

"John Locke." (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy). N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Oct. 2012.

"What Is Classical Liberalism? | NCPA." What Is Classical Liberalism? | NCPA. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Oct. 2012.

Audience - A.J. Steuer
As one of the earlier thinkers in what would come to be known as the Enlightenment, Locke directed his works towards those who concerned themselves with affairs of human action and nature. At the time his writings were published, an area of great interest was the understanding of humanity and the thoughts that lie at its core. Each of the many philosophers and writers of Locke's era had differing opinions on the development and impact of philosophy and organized thought. Locke used his writings to attempt to explain and refine notions of ethic, classical liberalism, and the purpose of governance. "Locke gives his positive account of how we acquire the materials of knowledge. Locke distinguishes a variety of different kinds of ideas in," his Essay on Human Understanding, though this is an intentionally subjective account (Uzgalis). While he was just one of many at the time who was making a concerted effort to explain the mysteries of the psyche, how he handles these points of uncertainty define his work specifically. In some cases, he wrote against the opinions of thinkers who he generally agreed with. On the topic of human nature as it relates to conflict, "Locke is (actively) distancing himself from Hobbes who had made the state of nature and the state of war equivalent terms," (Uzgalis). Locke intended for his personal interpretations to be part of the process involved in refining human understanding. To this end, he published exhaustive works of opinion to act as both an authority and a contributor to the scientific community.

Applying his works to trends in philosophy was an important part of Locke finding his audience. In many cases, breakthrough works (especially those critical of governance or actions of religious bodies) on thought and understanding were effectively disallowed by Enlightenment-era government. Many of Locke's ideas are therefore somewhat ineffectual in any potential calls for action; he and others were dealing with extremely limited bodies of knowledge, heavy restrictions, and small audiences of their peers. Locke was equally humbled by how little he truly felt he knew about the subject matter he wrote on, and he chose to preface many portions of his writing with an acknowledgement of this. "For though the comprehension of our understandings comes exceeding short of the vast extent of things," Locke states, there is still merit in trying to understand human thought (An Essay Concerning Human Understanding). Therefore, Locke is directing his essays at those who would be willing to expand knowledge of human nature. This is in line with the numerous thinkers and writers who had immediate access to Locke's papers, who were most likely to respond or rebut to his claims, and who would exchange influence with him. Locke embraces the notion that this advancement is beneficial, stating "that all men are naturally in that state (of nature), and remain so, till by their own consents they make themselves members of some politic society; and I doubt not in the sequel of this discourse, to make it very clear," (Second Treatise). Effectively, Locke marvels at the advancement of man from a primitive state to a complex societal structure, and his writings reflect a desire for further advancement. By directing these papers towards fellow authors, Locke seeks to refine theories emergent in the Enlightenment and with lasting implications in future formal philosophy.

Works Cited

Locke, John. "An Essay Concerning Human Understanding." Project Gutenberg, n.d. Web. 19 Oct. 2012. N. pag.

Locke, John. "John Locke, The Two Treatises of Civil Government." Project Gutenberg, n.d. Web. 19 Oct. 2012. N. pag.

Uzgalis, William. "John Locke." Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Stanford University, Sept. 2012. Web. 19 Oct. 2012.

Historical - David Farrell
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John Locke's impact on history varies depending on the time is being questioned. The ideas that were proposed in his works were radical when conceived, and for some time they remained that way. One of his works that was not adopted early was The Two Treatises of Government. As the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy describes, "The Two Treatises of Government were published anonymously and it was onlu in Locke's will that he acknowledged the authorship of this work and others such as the Letters Concerning Toleration. As a consequence the Two Treatises had very little influence on the debates over how to justify the legitimacy of replacing King James II with William and Mary" (Uzgalis). It is astonishing that the revolutionary ideas proposed by the Two Treatises was ignored because Locke did not make it known that it was his work. However, the idea that no government can be justified by the divine right of kings sparked revolution later in time. For instance, John Locke is regarded as one of the prophets of the American and French revolutions as well as one of the causes. The principles discussed in the work of John Locke indicated that monarchial systems would fail once the fabricated power of the right of birth was revealed. The historical impact of Locke's writings is not limited to his work on government. The concept of humanity being without innate knowledge was adopted fairly quickly and spurred new movements in religion. John Locke had a powerful impact on the Enlightenment view of the connections of words and ideas.

Furthermore, John Locke's principles are observable today. In one famous quote from his book The Two Treatises of GovernmentLocke asserts the illegitimacy of rule by birth, "since, if there be no marks to know him by and distinguish him that hath right to rule from other men, it may be myself, as well as any other" (1689). The rule of majority with minority rights is the foundation of the American democratic system, and it originated with the concepts of Locke. Locke proposed that there is no distinguishing characteristics of those that claim to have been destined to rule, and therefore they are merely men grasping for power. America, as well as countries in Europe, has been molded from ideas first introduced by John Locke.

Works Cited Locke, John. "John Locke, The Two Treatises of Civil Government." Online Library of Liberty. Liberty Fund, Inc., n.d. Web. 19 Oct. 2012.

Uzgalis, William. "The Influence of John Locke's Works." Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Stanford University, Sept. 2012. Web. 19 Oct. 2012.

Cultural - Ciera Yates

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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Perhaps John Locke's most famous assertion is every man's right to the pursuit of happiness. Better known as borrowed by Thomas Jefferson in the Declaration of Independence, this phrase was first penned in Locke's //An Essay Concerning Human Understanding//: "The necessity of pursuing happiness [is] the foundation of liberty. As therefore the highest perfection of intellectual nature lies in a careful and constant pursuit of true and solid happiness; so the care of ourselves, that we mistake not imaginary for real happiness, is the necessary foundation of our liberty" (1690). This ideal is basically the entire foundation of American society, one of the most notable cultures in the world. The so-called American dream is to be successful in the "care of ourselves," as well as of a family. Although often skewed, this is one of the three central God-given rights outlined by the Declaration of Independence, accompanied only by life and liberty. Locke's principle was so notable that it was outlined as an absolute pillar of one of the greatest experiments the world has ever seen. In modern life, individuals desire to be increasingly unique and independent, wanting more and more to pursue their own "true and solid happiness." This definition is less today about the financial, cookie-cutter success it used to be and more about actual meaning and "real happiness." This is the direction Locke meant his principle to go, so culture more closely approaches Locke's ideal everyday. ======

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;"> Additionally, John Locke was a noted empiricist, a believer of the idea that humans come into this life as blank slates. According to Oregon State University, "The practical significance of this debate is great; for instance on education, politics, psychology, and law" (Great Philosophers). If Locke's principles are accepted, then social and environmental factors should be the primary factors used to understand whom a person is to become or did become. This affects the proper approach in all aforementioned areas. In education, a child must be approached with his or her home situation taken into account. In politics, candidates can reliably decipher how to approach people based on which demographic groups they belong to. In psychology, background can be considered in order to establish an initial profile for the patient. Finally, in law, a person's situation of surroundings may be able to be taken into account in court.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Works Cited