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? please keep your answer to less than 200 words.
John Locke was indeed a significant influence on the founding fathers of the United States, particularly in terms of political philosophy. Two key ideas put forth by Locke during the Enlightenment that influenced the founding fathers include natural rights and the social contract.
Firstly, Locke's concept of natural rights asserted that all individuals possess inherent and inalienable rights to life, liberty, and property. These rights are not granted or bestowed upon them by any government or authority, but are rather ingrained in human nature. This idea resonated deeply with the founding fathers who sought to establish a government that would protect these natural rights. We see the manifestation of this idea in the Declaration of Independence, where Thomas Jefferson 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."
Secondly, Locke's concept of the social contract posits that a legitimate government is one that is formed by the consent of the governed through a social contract. According to this idea, individuals voluntarily consent to surrender some of their rights to the government in order to secure protection and maintain order in society. This notion is evident in the preamble of the United States Constitution, which declares that "We the People of the United States...do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America." This phrase underscores the idea that the government derives its authority from the consent of the governed.
In summary, John Locke's ideas on natural rights and the social contract deeply influenced the founding fathers. The principles of natural rights are demonstrated in the Declaration of Independence, while the idea of the social contract is embodied in the preamble of the United States Constitution. These fundamental notions shaped the philosophical underpinnings of the United States and continue to be integral to its governance and society.