John Locke (August 29, 1632 — October 28, 1704) was a British educator and philosopher, a representative of empiricism and liberalism. He contributed to the spread of sensationalism.
Biography
1632, August 29 — in the small town of Wrington in the west of England, near Bristol, John Locke was born into the family of a provincial lawyer.
1646 — on the recommendation of his father’s commander (who during the Civil War was a captain in Cromwell’s parliamentary army) enrolled in Westminster School.
1652 — one of the best students of the school, Locke enters Oxford University. In 1656 he received a bachelor’s degree, and in 1658 a master’s degree from this university.
1667 — Locke accepts the offer of Lord Ashley (later Earl of Shaftesbury) to take the place of his son’s family doctor and tutor, and then actively joins political activities.
1668 — Locke is elected a member of the Royal Society, and in 1669 — a member of its Council. Locke’s main areas of interest were natural science, medicine, politics, economics, pedagogy, the relationship of the state to the church, the problem of religious tolerance and freedom of conscience.
1667 — Locke begins writing the Letters on Toleration (published: 1st in 1689, 2nd in 1692, 3rd in 1692 (these three are anonymous), in 4, after Locke’s death).
1671 — Decides to make a thorough study of the cognitive abilities of the human mind. This was the idea of the main work of the scientist — «An Essay on Human Understanding», on which he worked for 16 years.
1672 and 1679 — Locke receives various prominent positions in the highest government institutions in England. But Locke’s career was directly affected by the ups and downs of Shaftesbury. From the end of 1675 to the middle of 1679, Locke was in France due to deteriorating health.
1683 — Locke emigrates to Holland following Shaftesbury.
1688-1689 — the denouement came, putting an end to Locke’s wanderings. The Glorious Revolution took place, William III of Orange was proclaimed King of England. Locke participated in the preparation of the coup of 1688, was in close contact with William of Orange and had a great ideological influence on him; at the beginning of 1689 he returned to his homeland.
1690s — again, along with the government service, he conducts a wide scientific and literary activity. In 1690, «An Essay on Human Understanding», «Two Treatises on Government» were published, in 1693 — «Thoughts on Education», in 1695 — «The Reasonableness of Christianity».
1704, October 28 — At the country house of his friend Lady Dameris Masham, Locke, whose strength was undermined by asthma, died.