Locke

Definition

John Locke was a 17th-century English philosopher who laid much of the groundwork for the Enlightenment and contributed significantly to the development of political philosophy. His theories on life, liberty, property, and the social contract have influenced modern political thought, especially liberalism.

Related terms

Social Contract: A theory suggesting that individuals consent, either explicitly or tacitly, to surrender some of their freedoms and submit to an authority in exchange for protection of their remaining rights.

Liberalism: A political ideology that emphasizes individual freedoms, democracy, and equality under the law.

Enlightenment: An intellectual movement in Europe during the 17th and 18th centuries that emphasized reason, individualism, and skepticism towards traditional doctrines