The teachings of John Locke had a significant impact on the issues of philosophy, education, law and statehood, which were relevant in the mid-17th century. He is the founder of a new political and legal doctrine, which later became known as the "doctrine of early bourgeois liberalism."
Biography
Locke was born in 1632 in a Puritan family. Educated at Westminster School and Christ Church College. In college, he began his scientific career as a teacher of Greek, philosophy and rhetoric. During this period, acquaintance with the famous natural scientist Robert Boyle is made. Together with him, Locke carried out metrological observations, studied chemistry deeply. Subsequently, John Locke seriously studied medicine and in 1668 became a member of the Royal Society of London.
In 1667, John Locke met Lord Ashley Cooper. This extraordinary man was in opposition to the royal court and criticized the existing government. John Locke leaves teaching and settles in the estate of Lord Cooper as his friend, companion, and personal physician.
Political intrigues and a failed attempt at a palace coup force Lord Ashley to hastily leave their native shores. Following him, John Locke emigrates to Holland. The main ideas that brought fame to the scientist were formed precisely in exile. The years spent in a foreign country were the most fruitful in Locke's career.
The changes that occurred in England at the end of the 17th century allowed Locke to return to his homeland. The philosopher willingly works with the new government and for some time has occupied important positions in the new administration. The post of responsible for trade and colonies becomes the last in the career of a scientist. A lung disease makes him retire, and the rest of his life he spends in the town of Ots, in the estate of his close friends.
Trace in philosophy
The main philosophical work of the scientist is known as the “Experience of Human Understanding”. The treatise reveals a system of empirical (experimental) philosophy. The basis for the conclusions are not logical conclusions, but actual experience. So says John Locke. The philosophy of such a plan was in conflict with the existing worldview system. In this work, the scientist claims that the basis for studying the world around us is sensory experience, and only through observation can we obtain reliable, real and obvious knowledge.
Trace in religion
The scientific works of the philosopher relate to the arrangement of religious institutions that existed at that time in England. The manuscripts “Defense of Nonconformism” and “Experience on Tolerance” are known, authored by John Locke. The main ideas were outlined precisely in these unpublished treatises, and the entire system of the structure of the church, the problem of freedom of conscience and religion was presented in the "Message on Tolerance."
In this work, each person is secured the right to freedom of conscience. The scientist calls on state institutions to recognize the choice of religion as an inalienable right of every citizen. The true church in its activities, according to the scientist, must be merciful and compassionate to dissenters; church authority and church teaching must stop violence of any form. However, the tolerance of believers should not extend to those who do not recognize the legal laws of the state, deny the moral standards of society and the very existence of the Lord, says John Locke. The main ideas of the Message on Tolerance are the equality of rights of all religious communities and the separation of state power from the church.
"The rationality of Christianity, as it is presented in the Holy Scriptures" is a later work by a philosopher in which he affirms the unity of God. Christianity is, above all, a set of moral standards that every person must adhere to, says John Locke. The philosopher's works in the field of religion have enriched religious teachings in two new directions - English deism and Latitudinarism - the doctrine of religious tolerance.
Trace in the theory of state and law
John Locke outlined his vision of a fair society in his work, Two Treatises on Government. The basis for the essay was the doctrine of the emergence of the state from the "natural" society of people. According to the scientist, at the beginning of existence, mankind did not know wars, everyone was equal and "no one else had more." However, in such a society there were no regulatory bodies that would eliminate differences, resolve property disputes, and administer a fair court. In order to ensure civil rights, people formed a political community - the state. The peaceful formation of state institutions, based on the consent of all people, is the basis for creating a state system. So says John Locke.
The main ideas of the state transformation of society consisted in the formation of political and judicial bodies that would protect the rights of all people. The state retains the right to use force to protect itself from outside intrusion, as well as to monitor compliance with internal laws. John Locke's theory, set forth in this essay, affirms the right of citizens to remove a government that does not fulfill its functions or abuses power.
Trace in pedagogy
“Thoughts on parenting” is an essay by J. Locke, in which he states that the environment has a decisive influence on the child. At the beginning of its development, the child is influenced by parents and educators, which are a moral model for him. As they grow older, the child gets freedom. He paid attention to the philosopher and the physical education of children. Education, as was said in the essay, should be based on the use of practical knowledge necessary for life in bourgeois society, and not on the study of scholastic sciences that have no practical use. This work was criticized by the Bishop of Worcester, with whom Locke repeatedly entered into controversy, defending his views.
