Providing the 17th century world with an alternative and innovative view on philosophy, politics, economics, and education, among other important and interconnected aspects of life , John Locke proved to be a person of great talent with immense impact. Born in 1632 in Wrington, England, Locke was the author of many known writings including An Essay Concerning Human Understanding (1689), The Two Treatises of Government (1698), A Letter Concerning Toleration (1689), and Some Thoughts Concerning Education. (1693) (Goldie 32). Locke's writings represent a range of topics involving the purpose of philosophy, the emergence of empiricism, and the role and limitations of governments and churches in terms of freedom and natural rights. In an age when the exposition of such controversial ideas would jeopardize an author's well-being, it is no wonder that Locke postponed the publication of his writings until after the Glorious Revolution of 1688. However, what impact do they have Had Locke's ideas in philosophy? Instruction? Economy? Politics? And what impact do Locke's ideas have today? These questions represent only a fraction of a possible in-depth exploration of Locke's life work. The belief that the human mental state is empty or otherwise referred to as a tabula rasa and that knowledge is gained through experience is a ubiquitous idea throughout the writing of Locke An Essay. As far as human understanding goes. Written in the late 17th century, this philosophical work brings innovative thinking about understanding the purpose of philosophy, the focus of which should be placed on explaining thought rather than creating systems (Goldie 32). As such, this paper represents an essential tool for analyzing the role that philosophy played in the 17th century in reformulating and redirecting...... middle of paper ....../www.jstor.org.ezproxy.rit . edu/stable/2960146?seq=6>Mills, Charles W. “Political Bodies, Impolitic Bodies.” Social Research 78.2 (2011): 583-606. Elite academic research. Network. January 10, 2012.Reimer, Johannes. "European Christian Renaissance and Public Theology". European Journal of Theology 20.2 (2011): 111-118. Elite academic research. Network. January 10, 2012.Rose, Jacqueline. (2005). John Locke, "Questions of Indifferent" and the Restoration of the Church of England. The historical diary, 48(3), 601-621. Network. January 10, 2012.Watson, Micah Joel. "The choice between God and Caesar: Locke, Rousseau and Rawls on the theologico-political problem". Princeton University, 2007. United States – New Jersey: ProQuest Dissertations & Theses (PQDT). Network. January 10, 2012.Wolterstorff, Nicholas. "John Locke and the Ethics of Faith." Cambridge: Cambridge UP, 1996. eBook. January 10th. 2012