"Following Newtonian physics, Locke developed an atomistic
view of society, describing it in terms of its basic building
block, the human being. As physicists reduced the properties
of gases to the motion of their atoms, or molecules, so Locke
attempted to reduce the patterns observed in society to the behavior
of its individuals. Thus he proceeded to study first the nature
of the individual human being, and then tried to apply the principles
of human nature to economic and political problems.
...According to Locke, all human beings..were equal at birth...When
Locke applied his theory of human nature to social phenomena,
he was guided by the belief that there were laws of nature governing
human society similar to those governing the physical universe.
As the atoms in a gas would establish a balanced state, so human
individuals would settle down in a society in a 'state of nature'.
Thus the function of government was not to impose its laws on
the people, but rather to discover and enforce the natural laws
that existed before any government was formed. According to Locke,
these natural laws included the freedom and equality of all individuals
as well as the right to property...The ideals of...Locke contributed
significantly to the thinking of Thomas Jefferson."