The Strengths and Weaknesses of John Locke's Philosophy

John Locke was one of the most prominent english philospher and physician of 17th century who was born on August 29, 1632 in the town Wrington, Somerset in England to puritian family. He was a supporter of natural laws within the government society. He had a significant contribution in the advancement of liberlism due to which he was named as a father of liberism in philosphy. Also recognized as a profoundly powerful rationalist, expounding on political way of thinking and education. John Locker mother name was Agnes keen and his father's name was also John locke. His father served as a captain in military army during an American civil war and he was a lawyer as well. His father’s involment in law and politics influenced his thinking by birth. He attended Westminster school in London, where he learnt to speak Hebrew and Arabic. And after that he went to one of the biggest universities in Christ Church, University of Oxford to study medicine, science and philosophy in 1652. His parents thoughts and convictions helped him forming his assessments on life and nature. Locke had two other siblings, Thomas Locke and Peter Locke. Locke’s ideas argued with the teachings of many other philosphers on the elements like liberty and power. Although, he grew up in the household of puritans that helped him influencing his ideologies and viewpoints on shaping western culture.

Philosphy of John Locke

As stated before that John Locke was a believer of natural laws and individual rights.Locke’s most outstanding thought was that everybody is brought into the world with the same right to life, freedom and property. His theory on refuting the divine right of kings which denotes the idea that government is ethically committed to serve individuals (specifically by ensuring life, freedom and property). He accepted that it was dependent upon the humans to rebuff the individuals who conflicted with the law of nature. He enlightened the society by exploring his writings in numerous texts. One of his famous writing called “The Two Treatises of Government”, he shielded the claim that “men are commonly free and equivalent by nature”. He believed every human has natural rights and government may not encroach. Locke stated that the power of government is limited to the public good. He depicts that the responsibility of the government is the “protection of the general public and each individual in it'(Locke, Treatises). For example, if someone from another community interferes and violates other community’s religious beliefs and promotes hatred against that religion, then the government has full authority to intervene and resolve the conflicts in order to secure individual or the community charter rights and freedoms. John Locke likewise promoted religious toleration, with secularism being the one outstanding exception (Broers). Similar beliefs were portrayed in his other textual evidence called “Letter Concerning Toleration” (1689-92).

His theories explored that the humans are brought into the world with clear personality and they learn everything from their personal experiences and ideas, which are recorded into this clear state of mind and stay until we pass on. Locke would be an enormously influential figure who strongly supported that all morality and human behaviour are governed under natural law and every human must comply with it. His most of the theories and beliefs were inspired from other famous personalities such as John Rawls and Jean Jacques Roussea. According to his philosphy in “Tabula Rasa” (also called “Blank Slate” in latin) morals and ethics are more momentous part of learning than any other sort of learning. His philosophy states that no human is born with no prior knowledge or morality, everything is fabricated in humans after birth through their senses. For example, he thinks subjects such as math, geography etc, instructed to children isn’t beneficial at all. Rather than this, they ought to be educated about the human conduct and ethical quality. For Locke, education isn't what you accomplish through books it's more you accomplish from your ethics, which you can really apply to day by day life. His perspective states that education is a “principle of virtues”.

John Locke was an illuminated mastermind and researcher, whose discoveries are yet used up in the present time. For example, his ideas on right to life, liberty and proprety is cosidered as a fundamental right today. Also, his thoughts on separating powers is utilized in current day lawful framework. His one of the biggest strenghts, that he explored the idea of diversity by giving people a chance to practice and believe their own religion to maintain harmony, peace and stability in the society. Locke felt that each and every individual born in this world has the right to own property without the obstruction of government. This theory of John Locke still prevails today and is really appreciated and adopted by the society. For example, in the present time, “section 8 states the right to protection from unseizable search and seizure”, which reflect Locke’s opinions that every citizen has full protection against personal and informational search. Despite pros, his theories had many cons as swell. First, he thinks that a human is sensible enough to predict the sentencing for a crime, which is not justifiable in every situation. For example, it is sufficient to base on laws to benefit the society as entire, yet it gives no direction and guidelines for individuals to settle on moral choices.

Views on abortion

In today's world abortion is known to be a really gigantic issue. As indicated by John Locke, people have a natural right to property and through this he implies the right to ownership. Locke believed if the pregnancy is unwanted or has complications in which she might have chances to die, then a women has right to proprietorship to secure herself first, without the intercede of government or some other person. But on the other hand he is befuddled at certain extent. He concludes that the natural rights of the individuals should be preserved. Aborting a child is not less than a homecide. When a baby is developing inside the womb of the mother, it is being fabricated as a separate individual. On the off chance that an infant can't talk or respond for itself, it doesn't imply he has no rights. But yet, it is the responsibility of the parents to preserve their kids since they are not of motivation to secure themselves. Locke conflicted that nothing is less defensive than ending a premature infant. At last, his speculations infers that regardless of what the circumstance of the mother is, she should bring the baby to the world and let him carry on with his life as she has no control of it. The kid is blameless and has no shortcomings. In the event that the dad or mother committed the error, they should sustain it too.

Reflection and conclusion

Personally as a John Locke, I would definately support civil disobendiance. His theories implies that a man has a right or ability to resolve his disputes and conflicts himslef. According to him, everyone has to be treated uqually without any discrimination. As already stated, he believed that every individual in this world was born with the same rights and freedoms. And if something biased or unjust law is prevailing in the society then the humans should fight against it. For example, if the Canadian government would imply a law that only whites ought to get the right to vote while all other communities are denied from voting privilages. Then John Locke woud definitely battle againt these unjust laws and would support other communities to achieve their fundamental rights. Since he accepts everyone is a part of a nation and everyone should get a fair chance to choose a government of their choice. Nobody should be denied from their basic fundamental rights. Comporable idea is also prevailed in the movie Selma, where blacks community marched a civil disobediance movement to attain basic equal voting rights. If John Locke was present their during that time when black Americans were denied from voting rights, he would surely have protested and did likewise. This concludes, that it was up to the people to punish or overthrow the government who went against their society needs.

References

1. Ayers, M. R. (1991). Locke (Vol. 18). Routledge.
2. Cottingham, J. (1986). The rationalists (Vol. 2). Oxford University Press.
3. Gauthier, D. (1969). The logic of Leviathan: The moral and political theory of Thomas Hobbes. Oxford University Press.
4. Garrett, A. (2016). Locke. Routledge.
5. Grant, R. (1991). John Locke's Liberalism. University of Chicago Press.
6. Laslett, P. (1960). Introduction. Two Treatises of Government. Cambridge University Press.
7. Pangle, T. L. (1988). The spirit of modern republicanism: The moral vision of the American founders and the philosophy of Locke. University of Chicago Press.