Page 154 - Wholeness
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Subjective idealism in the whole provides an opportunity for its
elevation. The social recognition of any idea will penetrate reality
where the abstraction is detected. The true values of a given time
can be directed towards real social development. True values are
revealed and perceived in the whole in which democracy is direct
and respected.
John Locke (1632-1704) is among the most prominent
th
philosophers and political theoreticians of the 17 century. He is
often regarded as the founder of a school of thought known as
British empiricism and made foundational contributions to
modern theories of liberal government. He offered an empiricist
theory according to which we acquire ideas through our
experience of the world. Knowledge consists of a special kind
of relationship between different ideas. In politics, Locke is best
known as a proponent of limited government. He uses a theory of
natural rights to argue that governments have obligations to their
citizens and only limited power over their citizens, and can
ultimately be overthrown by citizens under certain circumstances.
Experience is gained by sharing and absorbing personal
observation. Knowledge without experience cannot see the light
of morality and without it cannot consistently capture its value.
Society and individuasl benefit more when experience and
knowledge are related.
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