Two Treatises of Government

John Locke (1632–1704) was an English philosopher and physician, widely regarded as one of the most influential Enlightenment thinkers and commonly known as the Father of Liberalism. His groundbreaking theories on the mind, identity, and political philosophy profoundly shaped the course of Western modern philosophy and political theory. His ideas on natural rights and social contract theory served as foundational elements for the American Declaration of Independence and modern democratic governance.

Born in Wrington, Somerset, Locke was educated at Westminster School in London and later at Christ Church, Oxford, where he studied medicine and natural philosophy. His association with Anthony Ashley Cooper, 1st Earl of Shaftesbury, whom he met in 1666, significantly influenced his political views and led him to become involved in the political storms of the Restoration era. Fleeing to the Netherlands in 1683 due to suspected involvement in the Rye House Plot, Locke spent years in exile, during which he wrote extensively.

Following the Glorious Revolution of 1688, Locke returned to England and published his most significant works, which had been developing for decades. His experiences during this turbulent historical period, marked by the struggle between the monarchy and Parliament, directly informed his views on religious tolerance, individual liberty, and government by consent. He spent his final years in Essex, continuing to write and engage in intellectual discourse until his death in 1704.

Essential Reading

• Two Treatises of Government (1689): This influential political philosophy text rejects the divine right of kings and argues that government must protect the natural rights of life, liberty, and property.
• An Essay Concerning Human Understanding (1689): This foundational work of empiricism argues that the human mind begins as a blank slate and that all knowledge is acquired through experience.
• A Letter Concerning Toleration (1689): This landmark tract advocates for the separation of church and state and proposes religious tolerance as a vital political solution to civil conflict.