Friday, 1 January 2010

John Locke and Human understanding

John Locke (1632- 1704): Locke had an influence on political events following his books. He was known as a product of his time. He wrote about his own experiences. 'The Exclusion Bill crisis' 1678- 81 Locke was concerned with James II to become King (Catholic) who had the idea that he was chosen by God. Locke tried to pass the bill so that it would be impossible for a catholic to become king.

The social contract: Hobbs state of nature, people dominant passions are aggressive, people acting on their passions will procedure a state of war. Power comes from people but give it up to the leader who becomes 'Mortal God'. This was the idea to organise society in the best way.

Locke treaties of government: idea that God had given Adam the right to rule (divine right of Kings) God chosen people. Second treaties: The state of nature which was different from Hobbs, everyone enjoys natural freedom and equality but obey the natural laws.

The law of nature: moral laws which every man knew inevitably, a sort of ready made knowledge of right and wrong 'interwoven in the constitutions of human mind' discovered by the reason which comes from God. An example of this is the right of property, and having the right to protect property through the natural laws.

Reading: Human Understanding- he believed that the understanding comes from our expierence. Locke believed that we are born with a blank plate but Decartes believed that we are born with innate ideas imprinted by God. Plato believed that the soul becomes aware of forms and knowledge before birth. Locke stated that God gave you reason, and from experience we learn and gain knowledge. Not a lot that we can know for certain. The things that we believe are probable but some things may have to be believed to have some link to the world. God gave mankind the ability to discover knowledge and morality so that innate ideas are not needed. Matters of faith go beyond reason and expierence. Individuals should be guided by private revilations and this, individually, should never be imposed on society. Locke was trying to seperate religion and the state. If revelation does not make sense and cannot be reasoned then its not from God.

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