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John Locke

Philosopher

1632–1704

Biography

John Locke (1632–1704) was a pivotal figure in the development of modern philosophy. His work "An Essay Concerning Human Understanding," published in 1689, laid the foundation for empiricism, emphasizing the role of sensory experience in the formation of ideas. Locke also played a significant role in political theory with his "Two Treatises of Government" (1689), advocating the principles of natural rights and government by consent, which profoundly influenced the development of liberal democracy. During the Glorious Revolution, Locke's ideas provided the intellectual underpinning for the transition to constitutional monarchy in England. Additionally, his "Letter Concerning Toleration" (1689) argued for religious tolerance and the separation of church and state, marking a significant departure from prevailing norms.

About

Born August 29, 1632

Died October 28, 1704

Birthplace Wrington, England

Nationality English

Education Bachelor of Medicine

School University of Oxford

Resting Place High Laver, England

Popular Quotes

"The reason why men enter into society is the preservation of their property."

Human nature Government Political philosophy Ownership

"New opinions are always suspected and usually opposed, without any other reason but because they are not already common."

Innovation Change Individuality Progress

"The acts of the mind, wherein it exerts its power over simple ideas, are principally these three: 1. Combining several simple ideas into one compound one, and thus all complex ideas are made. 2. The second is bringing two ideas, whether simple or complex, together and setting them by one another so as to take a view of them at once, without uniting them into one, by which way it gets all its ideas of relations. 3. The third is separating them from all other ideas that accompany them in their real existence. This is called abstraction and thus all its general ideas are made."

Philosophy Mind Ideas Cognitive processes

"We are like chameleons, we take our hue and the color of our moral character from those who are around us."

Personal growth Human nature Influence Environment

"There are a thousand ways to wealth, but only one way to heaven."

Personal growth Inspiration Success Spirituality

"No man's knowledge here can go beyond his experience."

Personal growth Philosophy Wisdom Self-awareness

"The discipline of desire is the background of character."

Self-improvement Personal development Human nature Inner strength

"Parents wonder why the streams are bitter, when they themselves have poisoned the fountain."

Responsibility Self-reflection Influence Legacy

"To love truth for truth's sake is the principal part of human perfection in this world, and the seed-plot of all other virtues."

Philosophy Self-improvement Wisdom Truth

"Being all equal and independent, no one ought to harm another in his life, health, liberty, or possessions"

Life Independence Equality Human rights

"Every man has a property in his own person. This nobody has a right to, but himself"

Philosophy Human rights Autonomy Individual rights

"The end of law is not to abolish or restrain, but to preserve and enlarge freedom"

Freedom Justice Liberty Protection

"Government has no other end but the preservation of property"

Philosophy Government Governance Protection

"Reading furnishes the mind only with materials of knowledge; it is thinking that makes what we read ours"

Wisdom Learning Knowledge Reflection

"What worries you masters you"

Self-awareness Mindfulness Empowerment Mental health

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