"The American Revolution was, in fact, a battle against the philosophy of Locke and the English utilitarians"

The quote by Robert Trout provides a provocative analysis of the American Revolution, recommending that it was not simply a colonial revolt versus British rule however also a philosophical challenge to prominent Enlightenment ideas. To interpret this statement, we must initially comprehend the philosophies it mentions.

John Locke was a prominent Enlightenment thinker whose ideas on natural rights, government by consent, and the social contract were fundamental to contemporary democratic thought. Locke argued that people have intrinsic rights to life, liberty, and property, and governments exist to safeguard these rights. His ideas deeply affected the framers of the American Constitution and played a considerable function in shaping American political ideals.

The English utilitarians, on the other hand, such as Jeremy Bentham and later on John Stuart Mill, concentrated on the concept of energy, where actions are considered right if they promote the best happiness for the greatest number. This technique highlights results and effects, typically advocating for reforms and policies that optimize social well-being.

Trout's assertion that the American Revolution was a battle versus Locke and the English utilitarians may appear paradoxical given Locke's impact on American starting files. However, in interpreting this quote, one might argue that the American Revolution was, in part, a reaction versus the practical applications-- or misapplications-- of these approaches by British authorities. For example, while Locke advocated for government by permission, the American revolutionaries felt that their rights were being violated by a far-off monarchy imposing taxes without representation-- a Lockean grievance.

Furthermore, Trout may indicate that the revolutionaries looked for a more radical reimagining of governance than what Locke or utilitarianism provided. They desired not merely reforms within the existing structure however a complete break and the facility of a system more responsive to their specific requirements and contexts. In this sense, the revolution could be seen as a pursuit of a political vision that went beyond these established philosophical structures, innovating beyond them to create an uniquely American form of governance focused on liberty and self-determination.

This analysis highlights that while Enlightenment ideas exceptionally affected the American Revolution, the revolutionaries were not strictly bound by these approaches and were willing to challenge and expand upon them in their quest for self-reliance and self-governance.