biography of John Locke is important for a full understanding of the ideas and philosophy of this distinguished thinker of the Enlightenment, the teacher, the most important theorist of liberalism and empiricism.His ideas greatly influenced the evolution of epistemology, political philosophy, formed under their influence views of Voltaire, Rousseau and other Enlightenment.The philosophy of John Locke and biography inspired and led the first American and French revolutionaries proclaimed the power of the people and equality of rights.Biography of this man devoted to the topic of this article.
John Locke: A Biography of early life stage
future philosopher who was born in the small town of Wrington, near Bristol in western England.His parents were Puritans, he has a son in the appropriate atmosphere of strict observance of strict religious rules.Thanks to the recommendation of an influential friend of his father in 1646, Locke enters the Westminster School, which was then the most prestigious middle schools in the country.There he was one of the strongest students.In 1652 the young man finishes school and goes to college at Oxford University.In 1656 he received a bachelor's degree, and another three years to protect master's degree.After graduation, promising young man gets an offer to stay at the university department to teach ancient Greek language and philosophy.This decision in no small part to predetermine further biography of John Locke.In subsequent years, he not only teaches, but also actively studying philosophy and political treatises of ancient ancient philosophers.In parallel, he studied medicine, but he never managed to get a doctorate in the field.
Political activity thinker
When theorist was 34 years old, his life takes important contacts - Lord Ashley (later Earl of Shaftesbury).Through this meeting, the biography of John Locke once again makes a sharp turn.Shaftesbury gave him support the entire life.Locke was the first of his family doctor and a teacher's son, later secretary.And in 1668, John Locke due to his patron becomes a member of the Royal Society of London and a year later enters his Council.Around this time starts and the most active period of creative activity of the thinker.So, in 1671 he began to reflect on the work that comes out of his pen only sixteen years later and become his main philosophical heritage - "Essay Concerning Human Understanding."In the seventies, Locke served in government agencies at various prestigious positions.However, his career has always depended on the success of his political patron.In 1683, the Earl of Shaftesbury forced to flee from political persecution in the Netherlands.There also directed and John Locke.There, he met with William of Orange.And make friends with the representative of the royal family, becoming one of the participants in the coup d'etat in England, in which William of Orange becomes the new King of England.
John Locke: a brief account of the last years of
This allowed Locke to return home in 1689.He settled in a country house because of health problems, but a few months remained in the public service.In 1700, Locke made the final decision to withdraw from the occupied him at that time posts.Great thinkers of the European Enlightenment was not in October 1704.