John Locke was a 17th-century English philosopher who argued that knowledge comes from experience and that governments exist only with the consent of the people to protect natural rights like life, liberty, and property. His ideas helped shape modern science, education, and democratic systems, including the foundations of the United States.
Locke’s influence lives on today through democratic values and opportunities like the John Locke Institute Global Essay Competition, which encourages students to think critically about big ideas. Aralia’s prep program helps students develop the skills needed to succeed in this prestigious competition and apply Locke’s principles in practice.
1. Who Was John Locke?
John Locke was born in 1632 in a small village in England during a time of civil wars and political upheaval. Locke wasn’t just a philosopher; he was also a doctor, a scientist, and a political advisor. He spent most of his life thinking about how humans learn and how they should be governed. He was a strong believer in Empiricism – the idea that all our knowledge comes from experience and observation of the world around us, rather than being born with it.
Locke developed these ideas while studying at Christ Church, Oxford. There, he moved away from traditional philosophy and became interested in medicine and scientific experimentation. Influenced by his work with the scientist Robert Boyle, Locke came to believe that knowledge should be grounded in evidence and careful observation. These views were brought together in his most famous work, An Essay Concerning Human Understanding (1689), which laid the foundation for empiricism and helped shape modern scientific thinking.
Locke’s influence extended beyond science and philosophy into politics. At a time when many believed that kings ruled by divine right, Locke argued that political power must come from the people themselves. In Two Treatises of Government (1689), he introduced the idea of the social contract, claiming that governments exist only with the consent of the governed. His political ideas became central to modern constitutional democracy and strongly influenced documents such as the U.S. Declaration of Independence, as well as the protection of individual rights and freedoms.
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2. John Locke’s Two Big Ideas
Locke’s most influential philosophical contribution is the theory of Empiricism. He famously proposed that the human mind is born as a tabula rasa, or “blank slate,” devoid of any innate ideas or pre-determined knowledge. All human knowledge, according to Locke, is derived exclusively from sensory experience and reflection. This idea was revolutionary because it suggested that every individual has the potential for growth and change regardless of their birth or social status, placing a massive emphasis on the importance of education and environment in shaping a person’s character and intellect.
Regarding political philosophy, Locke established the doctrine of Natural Rights, indicating that every human being is born with the inherent right to “Life, Liberty, and Property.” He argued that these rights are not granted by kings or governments, but are universal and inalienable, which led him to develop his concept of the Social Contract. Locke proposed that the only legitimate role of a government is to protect these specific rights. If a ruler fails to do so, then the citizens have a moral right to overthrow that government. This framework of “government by consent” remains the cornerstone of modern democratic systems and individual freedom.
3. John Locke’s Impacts That Last Still Today
John Locke’s legacy is woven into the fabric of modern democracy, most notably through his profound influence on the founding of the United States. His political theories provided the intellectual ammunition for the American Revolution, directly inspiring Thomas Jefferson as he drafted the Declaration of Independence.
Beyond politics, Locke’s ideas remain essential to our modern understanding of education, human rights, and religious freedom. His theory, our environment and experiences shape who we become, laid the groundwork for universal education systems that strive to give every child an equal opportunity to succeed. Furthermore, his early advocacy of religious tolerance and the separation of church and state helped lay the foundation for pluralistic societies in which people of different beliefs can live together peacefully.
4. John Locke Institute Global Essay Competition
For students who want to take these principles from the classroom into the real world, there is no better way than participating in the John Locke Institute Global Essay Competition. This prestigious annual contest invites secondary and high school students from around the globe to tackle big questions that go far beyond their school curriculum.
The competition’s core purpose is to cultivate the very qualities that Locke himself championed: independent thought, depth of knowledge, and the ability to craft a clear, persuasive argument. Participants can choose one prompt from categories including Philosophy, Politics, Economics, History, Psychology, Theology, and Law, tasked with writing an original essay of no more than 2,000 words that challenges conventional wisdom and explores complex societal issues.
Be sure to explore our Completed Guide to the John Locke Essay Competition, which covers all the latest updates on registration dates, word counts, and expert advice.
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5. Aralia’s John Locke Essay Competition Prep Class
In this course, students receive a comprehensive roadmap to a winning essay, from a guided analysis of primary and secondary sources to the development of an original, compelling thesis. Students will learn how to think critically, evaluate complex philosophical and political ideas, and structure arguments properly. They will be taught by top-rated instructors and winning coaches to master the art of academic writing.
Aralia’s students have consistently excelled in this prestigious competition, achieving Grand Prizes, Third Prizes, and High Commendations. If you are ready to challenge yourself and elevate your academic profile, join Aralia’s Prep Class and start your learning journey toward becoming a recognized global thinker.
John Locke Essay Competition Prep
In this John Locke Essay Competition Prep course, students will learn the ins and outs of essay writing, in preparation for entering the competition. We offer prep classes in all categories: philosophy, politics, economics, history, psychology, theology, and law. Students will choose one topic, compose an original thesis and argument, and write an essay for submission. Students will engage in a guided analysis of primary and secondary sources, develop critical thinking skills, and discover interesting insights. In addition to the group lecture classes, students will receive guidance on their individual projects from the instructor, in one-on-one sessions.
