Author Bio: John Locke (1632-1704)- English philosopher who helped to initiate the movement towards empirical thought and emphasized the significance of understanding the human mind and its abilities. Locke was one of the major figures in the Enlightenment movement, especially with regards to political philosophy and potential for reform. His great interest in human reason and rationality came to fruition in his work An Essay Concerning Human Understanding, which features the human fascination with knowledge and the road to gaining knowledge. Similar ideas such as the inherent value of humans and their entitlement are continued in the Second Treatise as well.
Date/Context: The Second Treatise of Government was published in 1690, as part of Locke's outline of his designs for the purpose of government as a social contract as discussed in the summary. This text proved revolutionary as a work of liberalism, which sought to limit the tyranny of especially the absolute monarchy at the time and grant all humans their inherent rights of life, liberty, and property. In the context of the late 17th and early 18th centuries, this work played a pivotal role in inciting the American and French Revolutions through its support of revolt if the government fails to provide for its people.
Summary: Locke divided this text into multiple key issues, which he discusses in turn. He begins with an outline of his idea of the state of nature in Chapter II: The State of Nature, in which all humans are inherently good and at one time existed in a state of complete freedom and independence. While this way of life is clearly the most free of all, it is also the most dangerous as the freedoms of some can infringe on the freedoms of others. Some basic systems of justice emerge, but not enough to ensure protection for all. In Chapter III: The State of War, Locke argues that any man has the right to defend himself against someone who seeks to subjugate them with absolute control, and that this war is just in that it defends the oppressed's liberties. He goes on to describe what the oppression looks like in Chapter IV: Of Slavery; he again reiterates that every man has the right to life, liberty, and property, and these are inherent rights that no man should be parted from. Locke continues in Chapter VIII: Of the Beginning of Political Societies, declaring that the only time a man should be deprived of his complete freedom is if he voluntarily gives it up in joining with other men to create a community, the beginnings of politics and government, for the protection of all. Chapter IX: Of the Ends of Political Society and Government expounds upon this by stating that, since so much danger exists in the state of nature, men are willing to give up some of their freedom in order to put a government into power that will guard and honor their rights and protect their property. In this way, all rulers are answerable to the people, and no ruler should ever assume total, absolute power over his people so that they are subjugated under his whims and desires, as outlined in Chapter XV: Of Despotic Power. Finally, in Chapter XIX: Of the Dissolution of Government, Locke again states that this government must be answerable to the people and functions to serve all the people. In perhaps the most radical aspect of this text, Locke calls upon the oppressed under absolute governments to rise up, overthrow their current government, and establish their own based on democracy and equality for all should the established government infringe on their rights as human beings.
Important Quotes:
"Political power, then, I take to be a right of making laws with penalties of death... for the regulating and preserving of property, and of employing the force of the community, in the execution of such laws, and in the defense of the commonwealth from foreign injury; and all this for the good of the people."
"This freedom from absolute, arbitrary power, is so necessary to, and closely joined with a man's preservation, that he cannot part with it, but by what forfeits his preservation and life together."
Great work, Cayla! This was one of the longest document excerpts we're looking at this semester. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteAnother quote to consider: "To understand the political power right, and derive it from its original, we must consider what state all men are naturally in, and that is, a state of perfect freedom to order their actions and dispose of their possessions and persons"
Cayla, I agree with Mrs. Friday. This was a long read, and you did a commendable job. I appreciated how you broke down the summary by section and highlighted each theme. I also like your direct statement "Locke calls upon the oppressed under absolute governments to rise up, overthrow their current government, and establish their own based on democracy and equality for all should the established government infringe on their rights as human beings," thus delineating Locke's position against the political status quo. The context also did a nice job of "setting the scene" and laying out the basic ideals in a Second treatise on government.
ReplyDeleteSome points to consider. You could have included more of Locke's ideas on justice, as in a basic law for that would apply to all mankind, like this quote " Which being a trespass against the whole species, and the peace and safety of it, provided for by the law of nature, every man upon this score, by the right he hath to preserve mankind in general, may restrain, or where it is necessary, destroy things noxious to them, and so may bring such evil on any one, who hath transgressed that law, as may make him repent the doing of it, and thereby deter him, and by his example others, from doing the like mischief." You could have also included Locke's ideas on God and man. In this quote it is God that gives the common man power, ironic in the fact that the absolutists used the same principles to prove their infallibly to the masses. "God gave the world to men in common; but since he gave it them for their benefit, and the greatest conveniencies of life they were capable to draw from it, it cannot be supposed he meant it should always remain common and uncultivated."
Great Job!