Final answer:
Thomas Paine's 'Common Sense' was most influenced by the writings of John Locke, emphasizing natural rights and the duty of government to serve its people.
Step-by-step explanation:
Based on the excerpt from Thomas Paine's Common Sense, the source that most influenced his argument for independence was b) the writings of John Locke. Paine's arguments for American independence were grounded in Enlightenment ideas of human rights and the relationships between citizens and government. These ideas were prominently expressed by John Locke, who believed in the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and property. Paine, like many of the Founding Fathers, took these ideals and criticized the British government for failing to meet its obligations to the American colonies, suggesting that the colonists had no reason to maintain loyalty to a government that did not serve their interests. His pamphlet made a compelling case in clear language that resonated with colonists, merging practical economic arguments with the philosophical principles of natural rights.