Studyspark Study Document

John Locke 1632-1704 , English Philosopher Term Paper

Pages:2 (614 words)

Subject:Social Science

Topic:Philosophers

Document Type:Term Paper

Document:#43114930


These rights are voluntarily given by the people to the government through a 'social contract' and governments exist only to protect such rights.

How Far is Locke's "Theory of Property" reflected in the U.S. Declaration of Independence?

The Declaration of Independence," a formal announcement of independence by the American colonists from British rule in the summer of 1776, is widely believed to be based on John Locke's theories of natural and property rights as well as the right (even obligation) of the people to rebel against a government that fails to honor the 'contract' between rulers and the ruled by failing to protect the rights of the people.

There is no doubt that Thomas Jefferson, the main author of the "Declaration of Independence" was deeply influenced by the Libertarian philosophy of John Locke and the wordings of the Declaration parallel the writings of Locke regarding "the inalienable rights of life, liberty and property." However, Jefferson changed the wordings of Locke's list of "natural rights" in a key way by substituting "property" with "pursuit of happiness." The change was deliberate and significant as it reflects Jefferson's belief that happiness is a product of a diligent pursuit of public duty and civic virtue rather than personal property alone. Jefferson's definition of "natural rights" was thus arguably different from John Locke's.

James Madison, the "father" of the U.S. Constitution, has tried to reconcile the difference by broadening the concept of "property." In his "Essay on Property" (1792), Madison wrote: "It [property] embraces everything to which a man may attach a value and have a right; and which leaves to every one else the like advantage."

Subtitled "An Essay Concerning the True Original Extent and End of Civil Government."

Madison was Thomas Jefferson's Secretary of State, and later succeeded him as the fourth President of the United States.

Locke


Cite this Document

Join thousands of other students and "spark your studies."

Sign Up for FREE
Related Documents

Studyspark Study Document

Philosophy - John Locke the

Pages: 4 (1269 words) Sources: 1+ Subject: Black Studies - Philosophy Document: #50257099

..you will find his portrait in the National Portrait Gallery, but demand is insufficient for a postcard to be on sale" (Goldie, 2004). But today Locke's writings are used by a diverse assortment of organizations to bolster or justify their positions. The National Rifle Association (NRA) (www.nra.org) uses the 137th paragraph of Locke's Second Treatise on Government as an authoritative source to bolster the NRA's position on the right to

Studyspark Study Document

John Locke and David Hume

Pages: 5 (1531 words) Sources: 2 Subject: Black Studies - Philosophy Document: #63537412

Accidental possessions are those that an entity can achieve and fail, yet he exists. If a set of required possessions is mutual by various individuals than the set of possessions represents the essence of a natural sorts. The point of Aristotelian science is to find out the continuations of the natural kinds. Kinds can then be prearranged with hierarchically within a classificatory arrangement of genus and types. When we

Studyspark Study Document

John Locke/Biographical Research During the

Pages: 2 (593 words) Sources: 3 Subject: Black Studies - Philosophy Document: #90966106

He continued to study medicine with Thomas Sydenham as his mentor. (Wikipedia) He had an unsuccessful attempt to prevent James II from reaching the throne, and, as a result of his failure, he had been obliged to flee England. He did not return to England until 1689, when James II had been removed from power. It only took one year until he published his most important work: An Essay Concerning

Studyspark Study Document

John Locke Are Found in the "Declaration

Pages: 2 (856 words) Subject: Government Document: #95433588

John Locke are found in the "Declaration of Independence"? Three values John Locke discussed in his 1690 "Two Treatises of Government" are echoed in the wording of the "Declaration of Independence" of the American colonies, when they wrote their famous letter to George III of England. These were the rights of all human beings to life, liberty, and the pursuit of property. Locke stated that no human being, even when

Studyspark Study Document

Theory of Punishment

Pages: 5 (1536 words) Sources: 1 Subject: Government Document: #88007145

Locke's Theory Of Punishment John Locke was an English philosopher, who is undoubtedly the philosopher of modern times and the originator of concepts like self and identity, human nature and understanding, theory of mind and several other concepts regarding political philosophy and ethics. Born in 1632 and died in 1704, Locke is unanimously termed as the Father of Classical Liberalism since during the enlightenment era; he was amongst the most influential

Studyspark Study Document

Ethics and Rights

Pages: 4 (1347 words) Sources: 4 Subject: Black Studies - Philosophy Document: #23258121

right, a legal right, a moral right, a human right. How are they related? Rights are privileges or entitlements to perform particular actions, or to be in particular state/situations; or privileges/entitlements to carry out certain actions or be in particular states. Rights are the cornerstone of the modern comprehension of what actions are allowed or permissible and which institutions are fair and just. Rights structure the content of laws, the

Join thousands of other students and

"spark your studies".