John Locke Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

John Locke - Essay Example After graduating from this school, in 1652, he started attending Oxford University. It was here that he got his formal knowledge of Latin, logic and metaphysics. Though he completed his BA from the Oxford University in 1656, he did not leave the school. He started teaching at the hallowed institution for a span of 3-4 years, first as a lecturer of Greek and from 1658, the year Oliver Cromwell died and the unrest began that was to lead to the Restoration of the King in 1660, onwards as a lecturer of rhetoric. In 1663, Locke decided to pursue medicine and gave up his profession as a teacher. What is interesting to note is the fact that although he completed a philosophical education at Oxford, Locke declined the offer of a permanent academic position in order to avoid committing himself to a religious order. It was during this time of Locke's life, when the ideas of Robert Boyle and Descartes started to have an impact on him and he began to apply their theories to his philosophical und erstandings and treatises. It was during the same time, that Locke met one of his most important friends, Lord Anthony Ashley Cooper (who would later adopt the title of Earl of Shaftsbury physician become one of the Lord Proprietors of the Carolina Colonies.). Lord Ashley employed Locke as his personal physician but very soon, Locke would go on to serve him as a secretary, political researcher, and political advisor. It was by his a It was by his association with Lord Ashley that Locke was connected to Charles II, the King of England. When Charles II formed a colony in America, he gave Locke the duty of writing up a constitution. Later on, this constitution, more famously known as the Carolina Constitution and would be used by America's Founding Fathers as a model for their Constitution. In the year of 1674, Lord Ashley got involved in a conspiracy against Charles II's brother. Though Locke was in France then due to health reasons, even he was accused of being one of the co-conspirators. Even after Locke returned to England after five years, he was forced to flee to Holland in 1683, one year after the death of Lord Ashley. Though many term this to be a self-imposed exile, it cannot be refuted that Locke's life was seriously in danger. During his stay in Holland, Locke formed friendship with many other exiled English revolutionaries who were biding their time to topple the English government. Finally, in the Glor ious Revolution of 1688, the English revolutionaries led by the William of Orange toppled the government and Princess Mary donned the crown. Locke was made the Comissionary of Appeal in 1689 and published a "Letter Concerning Toleration". In 1690, he authored the controversial papers "Two Treatise of Government" and "An Essay Concerning Human Understanding". He wrote large works about the economy and in 1692, he assisted in restoring the board of trade where he served as an influential member until 1700. His book "Some Thoughts Concerning Education" was published in 1693. In 1704, he passed away in his residence in Oates of Essey where he had lived since 1691. The fundamental ideas of Locke's philosophy are presented in An Essay Concerning Human Understanding (1690). According to Locke all our ideas be it simple or complex, are derived from experience. The consequence of this empiricist approach means that the scope of knowledge gets acutely limited in its dimension. However, Locke tried to overcome this lack by suggesting that a proper application of our cognitive