Question

Which of the following refuted the doctrine of divine and absolute right ?
A. John Locke
B. Rousseau
C. Voltaire
D. Montesquieu

Answer 1

Hint: He is known as the "Father of Liberalism". He is acknowledged as the founder of British empiricism and the author of the first standardized analysis and security of political liberalism. According to him the doctrine of divine right was dangerous for both church and state.

Complete Answer:
The doctrine of the divine or absolute right of the monarch is a political and religious principle of eminent and political legality.

- John Locke was the one who refuted the doctrine of divine and absolute right because he was motivated by the humanistic and elucidated viewpoint that all humans are equal. This option is correct.
- Rousseau is a Genevan philosopher. His political ideology affected the growth of the Enlightenment throughout Europe.The Discourse on the Origin of Inequality is one of his most distinguished works. It lays the establishment for his political opinion as it is conveyed in the Discourse on Political Economy and Social Contract. This option is incorrect.
- Voltaire was a versatile writer. His most popular works comprised the fictitious Lettres philosophiques and the satirical novel Candide. This option is incorrect.
- Montesquieu is a political philosopher. His is the primary source of the hypothesis of separation of powers, which is enforced in many constitutions worldwide.This option is incorrect.

Hence, the correct answer is option A.

Note: The doctrine of the divine or absolute right maintains that a monarch ensues the right to rule immediately from the will of God and therefore, cannot be subjected to any worldly administration. According to this doctrine, only God can rule on an unjust king. An absolute monarch can then make all of the political judgments in the country.