Author Archive

John Locke

John Locke (1632–1704) was an English philosopher and physician whose works laid the groundwork for modern empiricism and liberal political theory. His Essay Concerning Human Understanding advanced the concept of the mind as a tabula rasa , arguing that all knowledge derives from sensory experience, while his Two Treatises of Government championed natural rights, social contract theory, and the right to rebellion, profoundly influencing the Enlightenment and the American Founders.

42 summaries in the archive

History of Philosophy Locke: Two Treatises of Government – John Locke John Locke

Locke explains that his work was provoked by Filmer's Patriarcha, which he argues subverts all government and leaves…

59 min read

History of Philosophy Locke: Two Treatises of Government Student edition – John Locke John Locke

Locke begins by explaining his work was prompted by the need to counter arguments for absolute monarchy and…

62 min read

Ethics Second Treatise of Government by John Locke – John Locke John Locke

Locke defines political power to distinguish it from paternal, marital, and masterly authority, establishing the project's foundation in…

36 min read

Epistemology An Essay Concerning Human Understanding – John Locke John Locke

Locke recounts how a conversation among friends led him to examine the extent and limits of human understanding,…

109 min read

Epistemology An Essay Concerning Human Understanding. in Four Books. Written by John Locke, … the Twelfth Edition. of 2; Volume 2 – John Locke John Locke

Locke explains that before inquiring into anything else, we must first examine our own abilities to know what…

137 min read

Education The Educational Writings of John Locke – John Locke John Locke

Locke's educational project is not about stuffing the mind with facts but about cultivating the faculty of reasoning…

43 min read

Epistemology Locke’s Essay Concerning Human Understanding – John Locke John Locke

An Inquiry into the Origin, Certainty, and Extent of Human Knowledge The Epistle to the Reader We begin…

67 min read

Epistemology Preface by the editor. Life of the author. Analysis of Mr. Locke’s doctrine of ideas [fold. tab.] Essay concerning human understanding. Book I-book III, chap. VI – John Locke John Locke

A systematic inquiry into the origin, certainty, and extent of human knowledge, presented in an authoritative edition with…

68 min read

Christian Theology A Collection of Several Pieces of Mr. John Locke – John Locke John Locke

Locke's shorter works on religion, politics, and understanding, defending reason and scripture against prejudice.

35 min read

Ethics Treatise of Civil Government and A Letter Concerning Toleration – John Locke John Locke

Locke argues that no man is born into subjection to any earthly power unless he has consented to…

43 min read

Epistemology An essay concerning human understanding, with the notes of the author, and an analysis of his doctrine of ideas. Also, Questions on Locke’s Essay, by A.M. – John Locke John Locke

Locke's Essay originated from a conversation among friends who found themselves at an impasse, prompting him to examine…

94 min read

History of Philosophy Two Treatises on Civil Government – John Locke John Locke

Locke establishes his defense of the just and natural rights of mankind against the divine right of kings.

62 min read

History of Philosophy The Second Treatise of Government – John Locke John Locke

John Locke argues that legitimate government arises from a state of perfect but bounded natural freedom, where reason…

37 min read

Biography John Locke – John Locke John Locke

John Locke's early life in seventeenth-century England shaped his empiricist philosophy and political thought.

53 min read

Epistemology An Essay Concerning Humane Understanding – John Locke John Locke

The Inquiry into the Origin, Certainty, and Extent of Human Knowledge The Epistle to the Reader The work…

84 min read