John Locke: biographical research and philosophical influence

John Locke/Biographical Research

During the Enlightenment, a period when John Locke, one of the greatest contributors was challenging the world order. In the wake of political turmoil in England, Locke asserted the right of a people to change a government that did not protect natural rights of life, liberty and property. People were beginning to doubt the existence of a God who could predestine human beings to eternal damnation and empower a tyrant for a king. Europe would be forever changed by these ideas.

The English philosopher was born in Warrington, England, on the 29th of August, 1632, a time when spirits were high and everybody felt that change had been near. His father had bared the same name and had been a country lawyer and a clerk while his mother had been a very beautiful tanner's daughter. He spent his final years in the countryside at Oates in Essex, inhabiting the home of Sir Francis and Lady Masham. This has also been the place of his death on the 28th of October, 1704. (The European Graduate School)

He attended the prestigious Westminster School in 1646 and the Christ Church later in 1652. In spite of the fact that he possessed exceptional learning abilities, Locke did not appreciate the fact that he had to learn according to the works of ancient philosophers. He believed that the works of modern philosophers had been more interesting. It did not take long before he became acquainted with the world that he sought with the help of Richard Lower, who initiated him in fields like medicine and experimental philosophy. (Wikipedia)

He obtained several degrees during his early adulthood and the bachelor of medicine degree in 1674, as a result of the fact that he had studied medicine while he was at Oxford and because he worked with notable scientists and philosophers. He continued to study medicine with Thomas Sydenham as his mentor. (Wikipedia)

He had an unsuccessful attempt to prevent James II from reaching the throne, and, as a result of his failure, he had been obliged to flee England. He did not return to England until 1689, when James II had been removed from power. It only took one year until he published his most important work: An Essay Concerning Humane Understanding. He had been inspired from the works of Decartes when he wrote the essay. Locke also paid great interest to politics, which motivated him in writing the Two Treatises of Government. His work related to the fact that the state has to protect the rights that its citizens have, including the right to property.

The fact that he considered the people to be more important than the state and that freedom of religion was vital in order for society to thrive had made him a few enemies. Even the government felt that his works encouraged people to rebel against the state. He continued to publish a series of essays over the years with the intention of raising people's morals by demonstrating that they had been entitled to much more than what they received from the government. (The European Graduate School)