John Locke (1632 - 1704) was an English philosopher, physician, and politician who lived in the 17th century (Rogers, 2023). His political and philosophical ideas led him to be considered one of the fathers of empiricism and classical liberalism (Anstey, 2018). His most important works are "An Essay Concerning Human Understanding" (1690) and "Two Treatises of Government" (1690) (Anstey, 2018). According to Uzgalis (2022), John Locke is an important figure in the history of philosophy, and his legacy extends to contemporary psychology and education.
Exploring the Life of John Locke
John Locke, a renowned philosopher and political thinker, was born on August 29, 1632, in Wrington, located in Somerset County, England (Uzgalis, 2022). From his early childhood, he was immersed in an intellectually and morally stimulating environment, thanks to the privilege of growing up in a family with deep Puritan beliefs. His father, a respected rural lawyer, played an active role in the historical events of the time, leaving an indelible mark on Locke's life. According to Uzgalis (2022), during the English Civil War that erupted in 1642, Locke's father courageously joined the Puritan side, passionately fighting for the ideals they upheld.
With the support of Alexander Popham, he gained access to an exceptional education (Uzgalis, 2022). In 1652, at the age of just 20, he entered the University of Oxford, specifically at Christ Church. In that academic environment, he not only delved into the study of Aristotelian philosophy but also encountered experimental thinking. During his stay, he had the opportunity to familiarize himself with the revolutionary ideas of René Descartes, whose philosophical concepts left a significant imprint on his own worldview. In particular, as mentioned by Uzgalis (2022), Locke adopted and developed the concept of "ideas" as a fundamental element of his own philosophical system.
After obtaining his bachelor's degree in 1656, he continued his academic journey at the University of Oxford (Uzgalis, 2022). During this period, spanning from 1657 to 1664, he fully immersed himself in his medical studies and worked closely with the scientist Robert Boyle. Uzgalis (2022) notes that despite originally intending to pursue a career as an Anglican clergyman, his passion for medicine and experimental philosophy remained his primary focus.
In 1660, he published his influential political work "Two Treatises of Government," in which he advocated a conservative stance on political organization (Rogers, 2023). However, in a later edition of the same work published in 1689, he presented a completely opposite view, marking a significant shift in his ideas. According to Rogers (2023), in this new edition, he emphasized the importance of individual freedom and argued for the necessity of limited government to safeguard the rights and liberties of citizens.
In 1663, he was appointed as a senior censor at Christ Church (Rogers, 2023). During his time in this position, he not only carried out his censorship duties but also took the opportunity to spread his revolutionary ideas. It was in that very year when he published his work "Essays on the Law of Nature." This book became a milestone in political and legal philosophy, laying the foundation for the theory of social contract and establishing the modern notion of individual rights and limited government. Rogers (2023) mentions that through the "Essays on the Law of Nature," he explored the moral and ethical principles that, in his view, should guide both individuals and societies.
In 1666, he met Lord Anthony Ashley Cooper, who would become the future Earl of Shaftesbury (Rogers, 2023). From their first encounter, it was clear that they shared a political vision centered on promoting constitutional monarchy, defending religious tolerance, and fostering civil liberty. Despite Locke lacking formal medical training, he was appointed as the personal assistant and trusted physician of the future Earl. According to Rogers (2023), in his role as a personal assistant, he played a crucial part as he not only provided political advice but also participated in the drafting of important speeches and documents, contributing his intellectual insight and writing skills.
In 1667, he moved to London as Lord Ashley's personal physician, a position that allowed him to become even more immersed in English politics (Uzgalis, 2022). During his stay in the city, he began to write one of his most influential and enduring works, "An Essay Concerning Human Understanding" (Rogers, 2023). According to Rogers (2023), this work would become a milestone in modern philosophy, addressing topics such as the origin and limits of human knowledge, the nature of experience, and the formation of ideas.
In 1668, John Locke took a significant step in his career by joining the Royal Society (Rogers, 2023). This opportunity allowed him to collaborate closely with prominent experts of his time, including Thomas Sydenham, a renowned physician whose research in the field of medicine had earned unprecedented recognition. According to Rogers (2023), together they conducted medical research that not only expanded existing knowledge in the field but also laid the foundation for future advances.
In 1669, Locke played a crucial role in drafting the Fundamental Constitutions for the Government of Carolina, a milestone in constitutional history that established the basis for a balanced and democratic government (Rogers, 2023). These constitutions were a significant development in the history of democracy, as they guaranteed religious freedom for all, with the exception of atheists. Rogers (2023) mentions that during his time at Exeter House, the intellectual residence where he lived, he discussed issues of morality and revealed religion with his friends, leading to the gestation of his most important philosophical work, "An Essay Concerning Human Understanding."
In 1672, a significant event occurred in John Locke's life when his patron, Lord Ashley, was honored with the title of Earl of Shaftesbury and appointed Chancellor of England (Rogers, 2023). However, Lord Ashley fell out of favor with King Charles II and was removed from his position, which had significant consequences for both him and Locke. Faced with this adversity, Rogers (2023) recounts that Locke made the decision to seek refuge in foreign lands, and in 1675, he embarked on a journey to France in search of protection and the opportunity to continue his intellectual work in a safer environment.
During his stay in France from 1675 to 1679, he established connections with the Protestant community and explored the Montpellier School of Medicine (Rogers, 2023). Despite being influenced by French Catholic philosophers, he focused on medical matters. During this period, he was struck by the poverty of the local population and contrasted these unfavorable conditions with the situation in England and the extravagant expenses of King Louis XIV at the Palace of Versailles. Although he occasionally addressed philosophical issues in his writings, Rogers (2023) mentions that it was during this time that he began to develop ideas that would later find their place in his major work, "An Essay Concerning Human Understanding."
Upon returning to England in 1679, he reunited with Shaftesbury, who had been released from the Tower of London (Rogers, 2023). At that time, Shaftesbury had been reinstated in his position as President of the Privy Council. However, the country was deeply divided over the Exclusion Crisis, a heated debate about the possibility of passing a law to prevent James, the Catholic brother of Charles II, from ascending to the English throne. According to Rogers (2023), both Shaftesbury and Locke firmly supported the exclusion and became embroiled in the hysteria of the so-called "Popish Plot."
In 1681, while Locke was in France, using his exile to expand his knowledge and develop his philosophical ideas, Shaftesbury was removed from his position and faced charges of treason in England (Uzgalis, 2022). According to Uzgalis (2022), this event, related to the discovery of the Rye House Plot, led Shaftesbury to seek refuge in Holland, where he continued to exert significant influence in intellectual and political circles.
In September 1683, Locke also went into exile in Holland, where he completed his work "An Essay" and published "A Letter Concerning Toleration" (Uzgalis, 2022). During his exile, he was associated with English revolutionaries and faced the threat of extradition by the British government. From this context, his major works, the "Two Treatises of Government," emerged. In the first treatise, he refuted Sir Robert Filmer's theory of the divine right of kings, while in the second treatise, he defined political power as morally sanctioned power to make laws for the public good. According to Uzgalis (2022), Locke's political philosophy was based on his religious convictions and his belief that humans are servants of God with a specific purpose.
Upon returning to England in 1688, he not only continued to develop his philosophical and political work but also became an influential figure in intellectual and political circles (Uzgalis, 2022). His most famous work, "Two Treatises of Government," became a seminal text advocating individual rights and the idea that government must derive its power from the consent of the governed. This perspective challenged prevailing notions of the time, which held that the monarch's power came from divine or inherent authority. Uzgalis (2022) mentions that until his death in 1704, he continued to influence the political and philosophical sphere, laying the foundations for future developments in political theory and the formation of modern states.
John Locke's Empirical Psychology
John Locke is recognized as one of the pioneers in the field of psychology due to his empirical approach, which has left an indelible mark on the understanding of knowledge acquisition and human development (Guerri, 2023). Torres (2018) mentions that in his influential work "An Essay Concerning Human Understanding," published in 1689, he developed his famous theory of knowledge, which asserts that all human knowledge originates exclusively from experience.
Locke firmly believed that experience was the key to understanding the human mind (Torres, 2017). For him, observation and experimentation held a central place in the study of psychology. Through his theory of the "tabula rasa," he argued that at birth, the human mind is like a "blank slate" with no preconceived innate ideas (Torres, 2017). However, as people interact with their environment and undergo various experiences, they acquire knowledge and develop their mental faculties.
In contrast to the rationalists, he emphatically rejected the possibility that people were born with mental schemas providing them with inherent information about the world (Torres, 2017). Instead, as a staunch advocate of empiricism, Torres (2018) mentions that he held the idea that knowledge is constructed through experience, thanks to the succession of events that people live through, which leave an imprint on their memory.
The Influence of John Locke on Educational Psychology
John Locke's vision of education has left a profound impact on modern pedagogy, as he considered this discipline a fundamental tool for shaping the minds and characters of individuals. In his ideas, he emphasized stimulus and motivation, asserting that students should be encouraged to learn through experience and observation (Mester, 2014). From his ideas, pedagogical approaches centered on the student and experiential-based teaching have emerged, significantly influencing contemporary education.
Locke believed that education should be grounded in play, as he considered it of great educational importance, transcending its mere physical function (Mester, 2014). According to him, play allowed children to gauge their own strengths, self-regulate, and act productively in the external world. He also recognized that play could offer valuable intellectual lessons. However, his proposals were primarily aimed at children of the aristocratic and middle classes (Mester, 2014), reflecting a limitation in terms of the democratization of education.
When formulating his pedagogical methods, Locke based them on his conception of the human mind, which he initially considered a "blank slate" devoid of prior knowledge, to be acquired through future experiences (Fingermann, 2023). His focus on perception and his theory of knowledge have influenced the understanding of how people acquire knowledge and relate to their surrounding environment. In this way, he laid the foundation for a constructivist view of learning, where the importance of experience and interaction with the environment in the knowledge acquisition process is recognized.
Locke's educational proposal was revolutionary compared to the institutional education of his time, as the English philosopher's goal was to shape autonomous individuals capable of thinking for themselves and acting accordingly (Silva, 2013). Unlike traditional approaches that focused on content transmission, Silva (2013) mentions that Locke gave greater importance to individual and social moral virtues that students should master to behave in line with their privileged position in society. Thus, his educational proposal went beyond knowledge acquisition and aimed to shape well-rounded individuals aware of their role in the community.
Critiques and Controversies
John Locke has been the subject of criticism and controversies surrounding his ideas. One of the most frequent criticisms is directed at his theory of the "tabula rasa," which has been criticized as overly simplistic for not taking into account the determining influence of genetics and biology on human development. Griffith (2003) mentions that, according to Locke, all knowledge originates from experience, taking a position contrary to the theory of innate ideas proposed by Descartes, who postulated the existence of inherent concepts in the human mind without the need for any experience.
Another point of controversy revolves around the view of the individual as an autonomous being, as well as his theory of natural rights, which some argue is excessively individualistic (Standjofski, 2023). According to Locke, natural rights, such as life, liberty, and property, are inherent to every human being and cannot be taken away, as they constitute an intrinsic part of their existence. However, some critics argue that this theory is too individualistic and does not adequately consider the importance of community and society in human life. Thus, according to Standjofski (2023), it is argued that his vision may be limited and not fully account for the complex dynamics within the social fabric.
The Legacy of John Locke in Contemporary Psychology
Despite the criticisms he has received over time, it is undeniable that Locke's legacy has had a significant impact on both the field of psychology and education. His revolutionary ideas about the importance of experience and observation have left a deep mark on modern empirical psychology. Furthermore, his vision of education as a powerful tool for shaping the minds and characters of individuals remains relevant and applicable in today's pedagogy.
It's worth noting that Locke is widely recognized as the father of classical liberalism. His defense of the inalienable natural rights of humans, independent of any specific government, has been a transcendent influence on political thought. These rights include private property and the right to work, considered fundamental elements for the benefit and progress of society as a whole. Rodríguez (2019) mentions that in a time when absolutism was dominant, Locke bravely advocated for popular sovereignty, emphasizing the importance of power resting in the collective will.
It is interesting to note that Locke's impact has been particularly notable in the field of psychology, as he has served as an inspiration for psychologists who emphasize the importance of acquired aspects of human behavior. In fact, it can be said that behaviorism, as a psychological school, has its roots in the tradition initiated by Locke (Guerri, 2023). Locke's theory of empirical knowledge has had a profound influence on the development of empirical psychology and learning theory. His ideas about associationism, in particular, have paved the way for understanding human behavior and laid the foundation for the study and analysis of how stimuli and responses are related and associated with each other.
References
Anstey, P.R. (2018). Locke, John (1632–1704). Routledge eBooks. Recuperado 16 de junio de 2023, de https://doi.org/10.4324/9780415249126-da054-2
Fingermann, H. (2023). Locke y la Educación. La Guía. Recuperado 17 de junio de 2023, de https://educacion.laguia2000.com/general/locke-y-la-educacion
Griffith, M. F. (2003). John Locke’s Continuing Influence on Organization Theory and Behavior Entering the 21st Century. International Journal of Organization Theory & Behavior. Recuperado 17 de junio de 2023, de https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/John-locke%E2%80%99s-continuing-influence-on-organization-Griffith/fe747570a76f2b533a9d2d6eaa0020f445151e62
Guerri, M. (2023). Biografía de John Locke. PsicoActiva. Recuperado 16 de junio de 2023, de https://www.psicoactiva.com/biografias/john-locke/
Mester, B. (2014). Loke’s Theory of Education as a Philosophical Anthropology. Hungarian Academy of Sciences. Recuperado 17 de junio de 2023, de https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/LOCKE'S-THEORY-OF-EDUCATION-AS-A-PHILOSOPHICAL-Mester/a67521fc5ab8b833b65f8d5594899a76c047b2de
Moreno, V., et al. (2001). Biografía de John Locke. Busca Biografías. Recuperado 16 de junio de 2023, de https://www.buscabiografias.com/biografia/verDetalle/1186/John%20Locke
Rodríguez, P. (2019, 29 marzo). Aportaciones de John Locke más Importantes. Un Profesor. Recuperado 17 de junio de 2023, de https://www.unprofesor.com/ciencias-sociales/aportaciones-de-john-locke-mas-importantes-3248.html
Rogers, G. (2023). John Locke. Encyclopedia Britannica. Recuperado 16 de junio de 2023, de https://www.britannica.com/biography/John-Locke
Silva, C. (2013). Pensamientos Sobre la Educación. Scielo. Recuperado 17 de junio de 2023, de https://www.scielo.org.mx/scielo.php?pid=S0185-24502013000200011&script=sci_arttext
Standjofski, A. (2023). John Locke’s Philosophy: Five Key Ideas. The Collector. Recuperado 17 de junio de 2023, de https://www.thecollector.com/john-locke-philosophy-key-ideas/
Torres, A. (2017). La teoría de la Tabula Rasa de John Locke. Psicología y Mental. Recuperado 16 de junio de 2023, de https://psicologiaymente.com/psicologia/teoria-tabula-rasa-john-locke
Uzgalis, W. (2022). John Locke. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Recuperado 16 de junio de 2023, de https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/locke/
