John Locke's Theory Of Morality

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John Locke entered this world in Wrington, Somerset to a Protestant family on August 29, 1632. John Locke’s mother died when he was very young, in fact, an infant and his father was a hardworking attorney. His father’s name was also John. John was taught by his father at an early age about hard work, moderation, simplicity, as well as, the love of freedom and liberty. John Locke attended Westminster School from 1646 to 1651 in London. From there Locke was chosen for a studentship in 1652 at Christ Church College, Oxford University, which meant he would have a lifetime of fellowship and study there. Locke “distinguished himself there, especially among his fellow students, by his talents and learning” (Faiella, 2006, p. 25). He studied …show more content…
In Locke’s view, a rational person was a moral person who lived by moral laws that were created. His theory included the thought that morality was the basis of human society (Faiella, 2006, p.71). Locke believed that God gave us the ability to reason to help us in the search of truth. To aid us, “God created in us a natural aversion to misery and a desire for happiness, so we avoid things that cause us pain and seek out pleasure instead” (SparkNotes Editors, 2005). Since God created us, we can reason that God wants everyone to be happy. Locke stated the freedom of man “is grounded on his having reason, which is able to instruct him in that law he is to govern himself by, and make him known how far he is left to the freedom of his own will” (Barker, 1960, p.36).
Other key theories included rule of government, that every individual have the moral obligation to rebel against a government that has lost sight that it exists for the people’s benefit only. The right of private property theory, revealing that every man had a right to self-preserve, survive and be happy. Also, theory of knowledge, that all knowledge come from and through experience, that beginning at birth, we experience our world through our five senses, filling our minds with ideas. (Velasquez, 2014, p.
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He also published Some Thoughts on Education and The Reasonableness of Christianity. Locke contributed largely in the revival of the Boarding Trade in 1696 and was a very influential member until he retired in 1700. He remained in retirement until his death on October 28, 1704 (Uzgalis, 2001).
The Greatest Philosopher I believed Locke is the greatest philosopher because of his thoughts regarding individual freedom and humanism. He is known as the father of liberalism, because of liberalism, where all men are created equal and have equal rights under the law. His natural rights he often penned, for all human beings were life, liberty and estate. Every person was born with equal rights to life, liberty and property (Powell, 1996). Locke is known as a political philosopher largely. He sounded the battle cry that men possess naturally certain rights. He preached this doctrine that we have a right to life and freedom and property. He preached that the government only had power when the people consented to it. Because of his teachings, his ideas have had a tremendous effect on our current political thinking, as well as, the future. Locke’s teachings are reflected in The American Declaration of

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