John Locke: Difference between revisions
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1634-1704. English political philosopher. Famous for his works on [[Contract Theory]], e.g., ''Two Treatises of Government'' (published in 1690) and on education (e.g. the concept of ''tabula rasa''). | |||
== Early Life == | |||
Born 28 August 1634 in Somerset as the son of an attorney. From 1647 onwards he attended Westminster School for Boys and later studied at Christ Church in Oxford. During his studies he focused on a huge variety of subjects, attending courses on natural philosophy, literature, medicine and politics. At the beginning he seems to have been most interested in medicine. | |||
It was also during his time in Oxford, in 1667 to be precise, that Locke made the acquaintance of Antony Ashley Cooper, later [[Earl of Shaftesbury]], and first leader of the [[Whigs]]. Ashley Cooper spent a period of time in Oxford for medical treatment and was to ask Locke to become his personal physician and join him in his London home. | |||
== | == Political "Apprenticeship" == | ||
During the time Locke spent at Ashley Cooper's house he developed his political interests. It was also due to the help offered him there that Locke was hired by the British Government to research possible relationships between trade opportunities and colonization. He used his post to travel to many parts of the world during the next couple of years. His travels also took him to France in 1675. After studying the French language he started reading Descartes' works in the original. Influenced by Monsieur "cogito, ergo sum", Locke worked on ''An Essay Concerning Human Understanding'' (published 1689) during his stay in France, which lasted about three years. | |||
It was also | |||
== Political Philosopher and Exile == | |||
During | When Locke returned to England in 1679 the [[Exclusion crisis]] was in full swing. During this time he started his ''Two Treatises of Government'' (published 1690), which might be regarded as a direct reaction to the events of the [[Popish Plot]] and the ensuing discussions. After the dissolution of the Oxford Parliament in 1681, the situation became unpleasant for [[Whigs]] and their supporters. Even more so after the [[Rye House Plot]] in 1683. Fearing the prospect of being arrested, Locke fled to the Netherlands, where he once again joined Shaftesbury and lived among other exiles. He only came back to England in 1689 after the [[Glorious Revolution]] and he deemed it safe enough to return. | ||
Not safe enough to publish the ''Two Treatises'' under his own name, though. Until his death, they were published anonymously (although most people knew that Locke was the author). He died 28 October 1704. | |||
== Sources == | |||
"Locke, John" Encyclopædia Britannica. 2009. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. 223 May 2009. <br /> | |||
Maurer, Michael. ''Kleine Geschichte Englands''. Stuttgart: Reclam, 1997. | Maurer, Michael. ''Kleine Geschichte Englands''. Stuttgart: Reclam, 1997. | ||
Latest revision as of 18:00, 14 November 2013
1634-1704. English political philosopher. Famous for his works on Contract Theory, e.g., Two Treatises of Government (published in 1690) and on education (e.g. the concept of tabula rasa).
Early Life
Born 28 August 1634 in Somerset as the son of an attorney. From 1647 onwards he attended Westminster School for Boys and later studied at Christ Church in Oxford. During his studies he focused on a huge variety of subjects, attending courses on natural philosophy, literature, medicine and politics. At the beginning he seems to have been most interested in medicine. It was also during his time in Oxford, in 1667 to be precise, that Locke made the acquaintance of Antony Ashley Cooper, later Earl of Shaftesbury, and first leader of the Whigs. Ashley Cooper spent a period of time in Oxford for medical treatment and was to ask Locke to become his personal physician and join him in his London home.
Political "Apprenticeship"
During the time Locke spent at Ashley Cooper's house he developed his political interests. It was also due to the help offered him there that Locke was hired by the British Government to research possible relationships between trade opportunities and colonization. He used his post to travel to many parts of the world during the next couple of years. His travels also took him to France in 1675. After studying the French language he started reading Descartes' works in the original. Influenced by Monsieur "cogito, ergo sum", Locke worked on An Essay Concerning Human Understanding (published 1689) during his stay in France, which lasted about three years.
Political Philosopher and Exile
When Locke returned to England in 1679 the Exclusion crisis was in full swing. During this time he started his Two Treatises of Government (published 1690), which might be regarded as a direct reaction to the events of the Popish Plot and the ensuing discussions. After the dissolution of the Oxford Parliament in 1681, the situation became unpleasant for Whigs and their supporters. Even more so after the Rye House Plot in 1683. Fearing the prospect of being arrested, Locke fled to the Netherlands, where he once again joined Shaftesbury and lived among other exiles. He only came back to England in 1689 after the Glorious Revolution and he deemed it safe enough to return. Not safe enough to publish the Two Treatises under his own name, though. Until his death, they were published anonymously (although most people knew that Locke was the author). He died 28 October 1704.
Sources
"Locke, John" Encyclopædia Britannica. 2009. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. 223 May 2009.
Maurer, Michael. Kleine Geschichte Englands. Stuttgart: Reclam, 1997.