John Locke made substantial contributions to how we think about government, religious toleration, and education. Through his many writings in the 17th century, Locke held the position in his second book of the An Essay Concerning Human Understanding that when we are born, our minds are tabula rasa or a blank sheet. It was from this position he believed what we know and what affects our persona is primarily through our education. In his work Some Thoughts Concerning Education, which started out as letters of advice to the education of a friend’s children, Locke talks on the importance of parents educating their children and through natural means, rather than rote learning. Much of Locke’s thoughts on education aligned with his politics, believing in cultivating reason, thinking for oneself, and participating in government.
