John Locke: Physical Education as Education Through Movement

While John Locke’s significant contributions to liberal political thought and empiricist epistemology are well recognized, his views on physical education are less explored. The central research question addressed here is: What constitutes the ideal model of physical education according to Locke, and how does it contribute to moral development? Using the historical analysis method, this study aims to reconstruct Locke’s concept of physical education by synthesizing his key educational writings, particularly. The findings indicate that, for Locke, physical education is not merely a practice focused on physical health; rather, it serves a deeper purpose. He emphasizes that cultivating habits through physical training fosters self-control, moderation, and the ability to subordinate impulses to reason—qualities essential for virtuous citizenship in a liberal state. Furthermore, the study reveals that Locke’s ideal model of physical education is that of education through movement. Article visualizations: