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???
John Locke was indeed a significant influence on the founding fathers of the United States. He contributed two key ideas to the Enlightenment: the social contract theory and natural rights.
1. Social Contract Theory: Locke proposed the concept of a social contract, which suggests that governments are formed based on a mutual agreement or contract between the rulers and the people. In his book "Two Treatises of Government," he argued that individuals have natural rights, and they consent to be governed by surrendering some of those rights to the government. This theory formed the basis for the relationship between the government and its citizens.
The idea of the social contract is expressed in the Declaration of Independence (not a founding document, but an influential text) when it states, "That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed." It emphasizes the consent of the governed, indicating that the government's legitimacy stems from the agreement between the rulers and the people.
2. Natural Rights: Locke also emphasized the concept of natural rights. He believed that all individuals possess certain fundamental rights, known as natural rights, including life, liberty, and property. These rights are inherent, meaning they exist by virtue of being human, and cannot be taken away by any entity, including the government.
The idea of natural rights is reflected in the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights (both founding documents). The Constitution protects individual rights, and the Bill of Rights specifically enumerates some of these rights, highlighting liberties such as freedom of speech, religion, and the right to a fair trial. These documents demonstrate the incorporation of Locke's idea that government should safeguard the natural rights of its citizens.
Overall, Locke's contributions to the Enlightenment, particularly social contract theory and the concept of natural rights, strongly influenced the founding fathers, leading to the inclusion of similar notions in the Declaration of Independence, the United States Constitution, and the Bill of Rights.