SOURCE: "John Locke on Ultimate Reality and Meaning," in Ultimate Reality and Meaning, Vol. 3, No. 4, 1980, pp. 264-74.

Following a brief overview of Locke's life and writings, Armstrong examines the tension between the Christian and scientific aspects of Locke's thought in an Essay Concerning Human Understanding. He argues that Locke's Christian understanding of ultimate reality was balanced by a faith in human reason and experience as significant, although potentially limited, sources of knowledge.

1 life and Writings

John Locke was born at Wrington, England on August 29, 1632. He spent his boyhood in his family's rural home of Beluton near the town of Pensford which is near Bristol. He was the elder of two sons whose mother died during their early childhood. His father was a country attorney who joined the army of Parliament and rose to the rank of captain. The Parliamentary patrons of his father found a place for the...