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 an influential figure during the Enlightenment period and had a considerable impact on the ideas of the founding fathers of the United States. Two ideas that Locke contributed to the Enlightenment were the concept of natural rights and the social contract theory.
The concept of natural rights entails that individuals possess certain inherent rights, such as life, liberty, and property. Locke argued that these rights are not granted by the government but are bestowed upon individuals by virtue of their existence. These natural rights form the foundation of a just society.
We can see the influence of Locke's concept of natural rights in the United States Declaration of Independence. The Declaration explicitly states, "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." This statement echoes Locke's belief in natural rights.
Locke's social contract theory suggests that people form a social contract with their government, where individuals consent to be governed in exchange for protection of their rights and liberties. This idea entails that the government derives its authority from the consent of the governed.
One prominent display of Locke's social contract theory can be found in the preamble of the United States Constitution. It begins with the words, "We the People," which assert that the authority of the Constitution stems from the collective will and consent of the citizens, reflecting the principles of the social contract.
To summarize, John Locke's contributions to the Enlightenment include the ideas of natural rights and the social contract. The United States Declaration of Independence showcases the concept of natural rights, while the preamble of the United States Constitution demonstrates the influence of Locke's social contract theory.