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John Locke

Definition

John Locke was a 17th-century English philosopher who is widely recognized for his contributions to the Enlightenment and his influence on social contract theory. He believed in natural rights, including life, liberty, and property.

Related terms

Natural Rights: These are basic rights that are considered inherent to humans, such as life, liberty, and property. They cannot be taken away without due process.

Enlightenment: This was an intellectual movement during the 17th-18th centuries emphasizing reason and individualism over tradition. It's like when you start questioning your parents' rules based on logic rather than just accepting them because "they said so."

Social Contract Theory: This is a political philosophy concept where people live together in society under an agreement that establishes moral and political rules of behavior. It's like agreeing to classroom rules at the beginning of the year - everyone agrees to follow them for a harmonious learning environment.

"John Locke" appears in:

Subjects (3)

  • AP European History

  • AP US Government

  • AP World History: Modern

Study guides (2)

  • AP US History - 3.4 Philosophical Foundations of the American Revolution

  • AP US History - 7.2 Imperialism: Debates

Practice Questions (1)

  • How were the political ideas of Thomas Paine in "Common Sense" different from those of John Locke?

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About Us

About Fiveable

Blog

Careers

Code of Conduct

Terms of Use

Privacy Policy

CCPA Privacy Policy

Resources

Cram Mode

AP Score Calculators

Study Guides

Practice Quizzes

Glossary

Cram Events

Merch Shop

Crisis Text Line

Help Center

© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.

AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.