How Did John Locke Impact Society

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Born in Somerset, England in 1932, John Locke was one of the most important and influential philosophers ever. He was widely considered to be one of the greatest English philosophers and a leading figure in the fields of metaphysics, epistemology and political philosophy. He also made large contributions to education, theology, medicine, physics, economics, and politics. The French Enlightenment drew heavily on his ideas, as well as the Founding Fathers of the American Revolution. He expressed the radical view that government is morally obliged to serve people, namely by protecting life, liberty, and property. Locke explained the principle of checks and balances to limit government power. He favored representative government and a rule of law. …show more content…
There are so many remnants of his beliefs in the world today. Locke believed that “ All mankind... being all equal and independent, no one ought to harm another in his life, health, liberty or possessions.” He firmly believed that everyone had the right to life, liberty and property. You can see his influence in the American Declaration as it lists the inalienable rights of “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” Locke’s political philosophy is also often noted with shaping both the American Constitution and for laying the groundwork for liberal political thought. It was from Locke, that James Madison, the author of the constitution, drew his most fundamental principles of liberty and government. If Locke had not shared his thought on government, the founding fathers of America would not have had the perspectives they had when writing our constitution. If the founding fathers had not made the constitution the way it is, our country might not be the great America that it is today. It may not even be it's own country. Who knows, America could still be a colony of Great Britain. Our country could be ruled by a tyrannical government. Instead, we the people have the right to vote for what we want. We have rights that our government can't take away from us. This was his greatest
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