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Which new scientific thinkers did John Locke read while studying at Oxford?
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John Locke
The philosopher John Locke, oil on canvas by Herman Verelst, 1689; in the National Portrait Gallery, London.
While the undergraduate curriculum at Oxford during John Locke’s time focused heavily on Aristotle, Locke sought out new scientific ideas independently. Although these works were not part of the official syllabus, he read the writings of Francis Bacon and René Descartes, as well as those of other natural philosophers.1
Beyond his independent reading, Locke engaged directly with prominent figures of the new science at Oxford, including:
- Robert Boyle
- Christopher Wren
- Robert Hooke
- Thomas Willis
- Richard Lower
- Bishop John Wilkins1
These interactions, particularly his collaboration with Boyle on medical research, were instrumental in shaping Locke's intellectual development and his lifelong interest in medicine.1