Jefferson Darwin and Locke Linked

Thomas Jefferson influence by the ideas of John Locke is evident, the dramatic difference in but a few words by Jefferson draws striking implications however to how Jefferson differed and expanded ideas in this new society. ” Locke in his own works had used “life, liberty and property” revealing a dramatic difference in their ideology, the preservation of property was Locke’s governmental purpose; Jefferson was far more concerned with the preservation of natural rights. Jefferson looked towards their current society, one in which estates were not handed down to the oldest son, where land did not define wealth, for it was the most prevalent resource, seemingly there for the taking. He made no mention the the ideas which may provide an alternate explanation, like the “foul odor” from so much sweat may be because they worked strenuously all day and drank much less, especially alcohol, then Jefferson. He drew conclusions such as their inability to blush constituted a lesser range of emotions, they must hold less reason since they do not conceive geometric functions and rely only upon their keen memory. Jefferson held an expansive view as he wrote these words, his interpretations of these self-evident trust are just as essential to our understanding as knowing his view of them as axioms. The pursuit of happiness, therefore, was not narrowly defined by the word “property”. rvation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Existences. It is this very distinction that drives Locke and Jefferson to such sharp contrast on their ideology of the purpose of government. Jefferson redefined ideas; it was that redefinition that gave his fundamental ideas the power to become a foundation themselves. Darwin proposed the idea of natural selection and a favored race; Jefferson misconstrued this idea for his intents and purposes in formulating these ideas. He did not extend a blanket statement of racial superiority, put painted a clear pictu!

re for conclusion by his readers. The idea that all mean are created equal, however riddled by hypocri!

sy through his racial pessimism, drew a distinction from the class -oriented society of England, the very society of which Locke based his precepts upon. Jefferson felt that he was doing just as Darwin had, using science to explain nature; he took that to explain humanity however inappropriately. Jefferson launched an attack on these people with an array of “facts”.