Locke was a devout Christian and believed in the Bible and the creation story (6 thousand years ago)

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Mervin Alexander
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1 The Second Treatise of Government outline Newton, and science attempted to reduce ideas to their basics and to then expand toward complexity as a method for understanding. Philosophers, like Locke also tried to use this method. Locke was a devout Christian and believed in the Bible and the creation story (6 thousand years ago) Preface: Supported King William, who was not supported by the Vatican. Also stated the right to overthrow kings--- Chap. 1: (no title) a) Against Robert Filmer s book, which suggests that God appointed Adam as first king, and children succeeded as king(s) throughout history after creation According to Locke, none of this is in Bible, and impossible to trace ancestors of Adam--- Thus, Locke refuted the divine right of kings and authorization by the Pope b) Different types of power: parental, familial and political Political = right to make laws for the protection and regulation of property. LAWS must be backed by the community for the public good. Ch. 2: Of the State of Nature State of Nature : equality where nobody has power over another (state created by God at time of Adam ad thereafter-----) All people are free, but may NOT abuse others Natural Law, created by God, in state of nature. Punishment must fit the crime All people were in a state of nature until a Social Contract for the greater good was created 1

2 BUT must remember from work of Jane Goodall and chimps, a state of nature never existed. Early humans were already bound by the strict rules of society as the chimps. Alpha male (king) Ch. 3: Of the State of War a) War = state of enmity and destruction = conflict for individuals in state of nature War caused by the aggression of a person (s) on the property and life of another. Law of self-preservation part of law of nature = self-preservation Aggression = challenge of freedom (property very important) End of war/aggression = force over In nature aggression must stop, and aggressor makes reparations for any damage b) Reason to enter society (social contract) is to avoid war Increases stability and security for all In society (under social; contract) common authorities for ASRBITRATION of past wrongs--- Ch. 4: Of Slavery a) Slavery: nobody can become a slave voluntarily Freedom maintained by strong force Slavery is an extension of war conqueror and captive, who does not make compensation for aggression b) Right to overthrow an unjust king or government Liberty = key element (Filmer = divine right; Hobbs: people are ignorant, violent brutes who need to be constrained by heavy-handed law. 2

3 Ch, 5: Of Property From Bible Locke believes, Earth can be considered the common property of people, in general The term property means our one body, land and other possessions. When a person adds labor to things, like land, they become their own. Like growing apples or other products on land, makes this land property as the result of labor. Each person has the right to appropriate things in this way. By adding labor to it. One can take only so much as can be used--- The genesis of money is that if somebody acquires too much of something, it can be exchanged for something else, including money- Ch. 6 & 7: Of Parental Power and of Political or Civil Society a) All people are born with an equal right to freedom. But because they are born without knowledge and abilities, must be under parent power for a while--- At age around 21 people gain freedom from parents. REASON leads to personal freedom b) Political power and parental power are completely different Talks about the conjugal society of men and women---- Civil society is a united body of individuals under an executive that protects their property and well being--- The commonwealth combines the legislative power to make laws, and the executive power to enforce them, with public support. The judiciary, or courts, clarify disputes in interpretation the laws. No individual is exempted from the laws of society--- 3

4 Ch. 8 & 9: Of the Beginning of Political Societies and of the Ends of Political Society and Government a) In civil society the majority is important. People submit themselves to the majority!! People give up their natural freedom to inter into society through a social contract for the good of all. Lock emphasizes people WITH PROPERTY, who enter civil society for its protection. Those without property must be excluded from its privileges although still protected by and subject to its laws. Ch. 10 & 11: Of the Forms of a Commonwealth, and of the extent of the Legislative Power The majority entering the society can choose a variety of governments: democracy (they make the laws themselves), oligarchy (a special few make the laws) or a monarchy (give power to an individual). The majority can always change the form of power. All laws are for the good of society Must be careful that the legislators to not in their own interests, and not those of the society Ch. 12 & 13: Of the Legislative, Executive, and Federative Power of the Commonwealth The legislature need not always be in session, but the executive must always be operating. Executive and legislative powers must be separated!! ª The people are supreme over all else, and have the right remove or alter the legislation. If government does not serve the people it can re removed, overthrown 4

5 Ch. 14 & 15: Parental, Political and Despotical Power Danger of successors of kings. Especially if someone follows a great prince, he might assume the same powers gained by good deeds and cause abuses--- Then difficult for people to straighten out--- People have the right to rebel!! Must be careful of despots and tyrants who assume power over the subjects without their will---- Ch. 16 & 17: Of Conquest, and of Usurpation An unjust conqueror never has a right to rule the conquered. A conqueror only gets rights over the conquered government, not the populace, unless it sanctioned an unjust war. An INTERNAL usurpation (change of leadership) is not just unless sanctioned by the people. The people must confirm any new leader. Ch. 18 & 19: Of Tyranny, and the Dissolution of Government Tyranny is the exercise of power beyond right A just leader is bound to the laws of the legislative, and works for the people. A tyrant is opposite. When a state ceases to serve the people it should be dissolves and another formed The people are the judge!! 5

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Rights, Revolution, and Regicide: John Locke and the Second Treatise on Government (1689) Biographical Sketch 1632, Born in Wrington, West England. Puritan Family, Pro-Cromwell Patronage of Alexander Popham