LockE was an influence of 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. Make sure it’s under 200 words and make it short
John Locke, a renowned Enlightenment philosopher, greatly influenced the founding fathers of the United States. Two key ideas he contributed were the concept of natural rights and the social contract theory.
Locke's idea of natural rights emphasized that individuals possess inherent rights, including life, liberty, and property, which cannot be taken away by any governing authority. These natural rights are considered universal and fundamental to human beings. This notion is reflected in the Declaration of Independence, written primarily by Thomas Jefferson, where it 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."
Locke's social contract theory suggests that a legitimate government exists to protect the rights of its citizens, and it derives its power from the consent of the governed. This principle is evident in the Constitution of the United States, particularly in its preamble, as it establishes the government's responsibility to "secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity." Additionally, the system of checks and balances implemented in the Constitution demonstrates the influence of the idea of a social contract, by distributing power among different branches to prevent abuses and protect individual rights.
In summary, John Locke's ideas of natural rights and the social contract are reflected in the Declaration of Independence through the affirmation of certain inalienable rights, and in the Constitution through the principles of government's responsibility to secure liberty and the establishment of a system of checks and balances.