John Locke (1632-1704) is one of the world’s most important political philosophers. Considered the “father of classical liberalism,” Locke was an influential thinker during the Enlightenment period, and his ideas on philosophy and civil government inspired other major personalities, such as Voltaire, as well as many American revolutionaries – ideas that are still alive and influential today.
Locke’s Second Treatise offers an in-depth analysis on the origin of our right to liberty and the rights of governments. It shows how, by respecting the laws of nature, we can limit the power of government to best protect ourselves and our property from destruction or worse, tyranny.
Two Treatises of Government is a classic work of political philosophy by John Locke. In it, Locke argues against the divine right of kings and advocates for the idea that political authority is derived from the consent of the governed. He also discusses the concept of natural rights and the social contract, laying the groundwork for modern democratic theory.
An Essay Concerning Human Understanding (1690) explains John Locke's belief regarding knowledge. He suggests it’s not innate but rather attained through our senses, arguing against the then-popular notion of divine inspiration and emphasizing the role of experience.