Locke was an influence on the founding fathers of our country. What two ideas did he contribute to the Enlightenment? Where in the founding documents of the United States do we see each of those ideas demonstrated?

Answer 1

John Locke, an English philosopher, made significant contributions to the Enlightenment era, which in turn influenced the founding fathers of the United States. Two of his key ideas are natural rights and social contract theory. Both of these concepts are prominently reflected in the founding documents of the United States.

1. Natural Rights:
One idea put forth by Locke was the concept of natural rights, which refers to the inherent rights possessed by every individual as a result of their existence. These natural rights include life, liberty, and property. In the United States, the idea of natural rights is demonstrated in the Declaration of Independence. Thomas Jefferson, the primary author of the document, drew inspiration from Locke's ideas and wrote, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness."

2. Social Contract Theory:
Locke also contributed the idea of the social contract, which suggests that individuals enter into a contract or agreement with the government to maintain order and protect their natural rights. If the government fails to fulfill its obligations, the people have the right to overthrow it. The principles of the social contract theory are evident in the founding document of the United States, the U.S. Constitution. The Constitution establishes a system of government that is based on the consent of the governed and outlines the rights and responsibilities of both the government and the citizens. Additionally, the inclusion of the Bill of Rights, which protects individual liberties such as freedom of speech, religion, and the right to a fair trial, further demonstrates the influence of Locke's social contract theory.