John Locke (Philosopher)

John Locke was a 17th-century English philosopher known for his ideas on government, personal identity, and knowledge. He argued that people are born as "tabula rasa" or blank slates, meaning experiences shape our understanding. Locke believed in natural rights—life, liberty, and property—advocating that governments should protect these rights and be based on the consent of the governed. His thoughts on the social contract influenced modern democratic theory and human rights, making him a foundational figure in Enlightenment thought and a significant influence on political philosophy and modern liberalism.