The central idea of John Locke’s philosophy revolves around the concept of natural rights and the social contract. Locke argued that individuals possess inherent rights to life, liberty, and property, which are fundamental to human existence and should be protected by the government. He believed that legitimate government is based on the consent of the governed, and if a ruler violates these rights, the people have the right to revolt. Locke's ideas significantly influenced Enlightenment thought and laid the intellectual groundwork for modern democracy, individual freedoms, and concepts of governance that emphasize human rights.