John Locke
John Locke was an influential philosopher and political theorist during the Enlightenment period. He is known for his ideas on natural rights, social contract theory, and limited government. Locke's writings played a significant role in refuting the doctrine of divine and absolute right.

Divine and Absolute Right
The doctrine of divine and absolute right was a political theory that asserted that monarchs derived their authority directly from God and were therefore entitled to rule with absolute power. This doctrine was commonly used to justify the absolute rule of monarchs and their ability to make decisions without the consent or input of the people.

Locke's Critique
John Locke's most famous work, "Two Treatises of Government," presented a powerful critique of the doctrine of divine and absolute right. In this work, Locke argued that political power is not derived from God but instead from the consent of the governed.

State of Nature
Locke's critique began with his concept of the state of nature. According to Locke, in the state of nature, all individuals are equal and have natural rights to life, liberty, and property. These natural rights are not granted by a monarch or any other authority but are inherent to all individuals.

Social Contract
Locke argued that individuals form a social contract to establish a government and protect their natural rights. This social contract is a voluntary agreement between the people and the government, where the people grant the government the power to govern in exchange for the protection of their rights.

Limited Government
Locke advocated for a limited government that operated within the bounds of the social contract. He believed that the government's power should be limited to protecting the natural rights of the people and that any government that exceeded these limits was unjust and could be overthrown.

Implications
Locke's critique of the doctrine of divine and absolute right had significant implications for the political landscape of his time. His ideas laid the foundation for the development of constitutionalism, the separation of powers, and the idea of government by consent.

Influence
Locke's writings influenced many other Enlightenment thinkers and had a profound impact on the development of democratic and liberal political systems. His ideas challenged the traditional belief in the divine right of kings and paved the way for the concepts of individual rights, popular sovereignty, and limited government that are fundamental to modern democratic societies.

Conclusion
In summary, John Locke refuted the doctrine of divine and absolute right by arguing for the natural rights of individuals, the social contract, and the idea of limited government. His writings played a crucial role in challenging the traditional justification for absolute monarchy and laid the groundwork for the development of democratic and liberal political systems.

A)John Locke