로크의 경험철학에서 본 자유이념과 이성 계발

Liberalistic Idea and Rational Development in terms of Locke's Empiricism

Locke's empirical philosophy is filled with hopes and dreams toward new world of liberty and emancipation out of the old Medieval traditions and conventions. The educational philosophy Locke suggested also contains such progressive perspectives. The purposes of this study are to analyze Locke's concept of ‘liberty’ through his works and to examine what educational viewpoints and methods hepresented on the basis of his liberalistic idea. First, Locke's liberal idea is the very core in his political ideas. The starting point Locke began to discuss liberty is "the state of completely free in nature" and his concept of liberty is premised on ethic, moral, and justice. The freedom in that society is the contractual one established by the consent of individual, which never belongs to any partial authorities. Second, new political system Locke explored and designed insures complete freedom of every individual and helps him to bring up a desirable human archetype, 'gentleman', required in his new political system. The idea of ‘gentlemen' Locke mentioned is based on perfectly enlightened rational beings and he suggests non-authorized, liberal ways to raise them as educated characters. Consequently, this study recommends you to comprehend Locke's modern education in terms of broader political perspective especially relation to politics, instead of treating his methods as just 'mechanical attention' which simply overcame traditional educational methods.