John Locke is known for his work on philosophy and political theory. In particular, he is known for his work on the social contract theory.
Locke was born in Wrington, Somerset, England on August 29th, 1632. He was the son of Agnes Keene and Joseph Locke (who died when John was three months old). His mother remarried when he was eight years old.
Philosopher received his bachelor’s degree from Christ Church at Oxford University in 1656, and shortly thereafter became a medical student at Westminster Hospital in London. While there he met Lord Ashley who would later become the Earl of Shaftesbury and one of Locke’s closest friends throughout his life.
After graduating from Westminster Hospital, Locke decided to travel abroad to France and Italy where he studied anatomy under William Harvey (who discovered blood circulation). Upon returning home from his European travels he entered politics and became Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs under Charles II in 1673-74. When Charles II died in 1685 Locke retired from public life to focus on his private interests which included writing books about philosophy and politics.
In addition, Locke argued that the mind is a blank slate or tabula rasa. Thus, we are born with no innate ideas, and instead must learn everything through our senses. Our knowledge is therefore limited to what we can experience through our senses. He also suggested that the mind at birth was like a “tabula rasa” or “blank slate” without any ideas.
Actually, Locke’s philosophy had a profound influence on 18th-century Enlightenment philosophers, including David Hume and Voltaire (who described Locke as “the chief of all philosophers”).
