The 17th century English
philosopher John Locke
developed theories of empiricism
that emphasized the role of
human experience in the pursuit
of knowledge and truth,Many of
Locke’s political theories
influenced the authors of the
Constitution of the United States.
John Locke
(1632.8.29~1704.10.28)
Major points of his political views:
? no person or family has been chosen by God to
rule a country
? government should only operate with the consent
of the people they are governing
? governments are formed,to protect the right to
life; to freedom; to property
? true democracy means the ability to remove a
government without violence,to punish political
failure or misjudgment by votes alone
? the art of politics is the minimization of
unhappiness or avoidable sufferings
? once the law is humble,all else that is valuable in a
civilized society will vanish,… with terrifying speed