Compare And Contrast Galileo Galilei And John Locke

Fazeel Hussain Throughout time, mankind has always been afraid to speak or act against authority; the majority of people did what they were told. For this reason, dictators and monarchs were able to do as they please without much opposition. John Locke and Galileo Galilei both stated that God has endowed humans with reason to make rational choices. Both argue that each human should question ideas as they desire. Humans should not obey an authority figure without reason. Their ideas provided society with new ways of viewing life. “The second Treatise of Government” written by John Locke and “Science and Scripture” written by Galileo Galilei explain the importance of human rationality. According to John Locke, a successful community
Both their views on human reason are very similar. John Locke stated that God empowered people with reason to stand up and revolt against an unrighteous authority. He gave individuals this gift to protect their freedom and property. Locke asserts the fact that if another individual tries to claim someone else’s possessions, that all men should stand up and fight the offender. Locke States “The state of nature has a law of nature to govern it, which obliges every one: and reason, which is that law, teaches all mankind, who will but consult it, that being all equal and independent, no one ought to harm another in his life, health, liberty, or possessions: for men being all the workmanship of one omnipotent, and infinitely wise maker” (SB, 35). Locke explains that humans are all equal due to the fact that God created them that way. If someone breaks a law, takes another person’s life, or property they shall be punished by the entire community. Galileo Galilei promotes the same behavior as John Locke when he states “No one should be scorned in physical disputes for not holding to the opinions which happen to please other people best…” (SB, 22). Galelei states that just because every individual has different ideas from the majority does not give the right for anyone to be looked down upon. Humans should help one another to create a prosperous society. People need to conform together with reason in order to balance power. This reasoning is what holds the community together. In doing so, people will no longer relinquish total control to just one individual. Allowing everyone to be equal and state their opinion without fear will create a world without