# Two Treatises of Government — Chapters explained

> Chapter companions for Two Treatises of Government by John Locke.

- [Two Treatises of Government](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_treatises_of_government_se/chapters/two-treatises-of-government.md): Locke introduces his work as a two-part treatise: the first aims to detect and overthrow the false principles of Sir Robert Filmer and his followers, while the second presents an essay on the true origin, extent, and end
- [Book I: Of Government](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_treatises_of_government_se/chapters/book-i-of-government.md): Locke begins his critique of Sir Robert Filmer's patriarchal theory of absolute monarchy, arguing that Filmer's claims for Adam's sovereignty by creation, donation, and fatherhood are unfounded. He systematically dismant
- [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_treatises_of_government_se/chapters/i.md): Locke introduces his critique of Sir Robert Filmer's defense of absolute monarchy, arguing that Filmer's claim that no man is born free and that all government is absolute monarchy is a dangerous doctrine that would ensl
- [II: Of Paternal and Regal Power](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_treatises_of_government_se/chapters/ii-of-paternal-and-regal-power.md): Locke examines Filmer's foundational claim that 'men are not naturally free' and his identification of paternal authority with royal authority. He criticizes Filmer for failing to define 'fatherly authority' and for assu
- [Of Adam's Title to Sovereignty by Creation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_treatises_of_government_se/chapters/iii-of-adam-s-title-to-sovereignty-by-creation.md): Locke critiques Sir Robert Filmer's argument that Adam's creation by God immediately granted him sovereignty over the world. He exposes logical inconsistencies in Filmer's claims, such as the confusion between Adam's cre

> 29 more chapter companions — [open a free preview](https://www.betterreads.dev/reader?bookId=two_treatises_of_government_se_1388kb&preview=1) to unlock the rest.

- [Of Adam’s Title to Sovereignty, by Donation, Gen. 1:28](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_treatises_of_government_se/chapters/iv-of-adam-s-title-to-sovereignty-by-donation-gen-1-28.md)
- [Of Adam’s Title to Sovereignty, by the Subjection of Eve](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_treatises_of_government_se/chapters/v-of-adam-s-title-to-sovereignty-by-the-subjection-of-eve.md)
- [Of Adam’s Title to Sovereignty by Fatherhood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_treatises_of_government_se/chapters/vi-of-adam-s-title-to-sovereignty-by-fatherhood.md)
- [VII: Of Fatherhood and Property Considered Together as Fountains of Sovereignty](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_treatises_of_government_se/chapters/vii-of-fatherhood-and-property-considered-together-as-fountains-of-sovereignty.md)
- [VIII: Of the Conveyance of Adam’s Sovereign Monarchical Power](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_treatises_of_government_se/chapters/viii-of-the-conveyance-of-adam-s-sovereign-monarchical-power.md)
- [Of Monarchy, by Inheritance from Adam](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_treatises_of_government_se/chapters/ix-of-monarchy-by-inheritance-from-adam.md)
- [X: Of the Heir to Adam’s Monarchical Power](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_treatises_of_government_se/chapters/x-of-the-heir-to-adam-s-monarchical-power.md)
- [XI: Who Heir?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_treatises_of_government_se/chapters/xi-who-heir.md)
- [Book II: Of Civil Government](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_treatises_of_government_se/chapters/book-ii-of-civil-government.md)
- [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_treatises_of_government_se/chapters/i.md)
- [II: Of the State of Nature](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_treatises_of_government_se/chapters/ii-of-the-state-of-nature.md)
- [III: Of the State of War](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_treatises_of_government_se/chapters/iii-of-the-state-of-war.md)
- [IV: Of Slavery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_treatises_of_government_se/chapters/iv-of-slavery.md)
- [Of Property](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_treatises_of_government_se/chapters/v-of-property.md)
- [VI: Of Paternal Power](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_treatises_of_government_se/chapters/vi-of-paternal-power.md)
- [Of Political or Civil Society](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_treatises_of_government_se/chapters/vii-of-political-or-civil-society.md)
- [Of the Beginning of Political Societies](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_treatises_of_government_se/chapters/viii-of-the-beginning-of-political-societies.md)
- [IX: Of the Ends of Political Society and Government](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_treatises_of_government_se/chapters/ix-of-the-ends-of-political-society-and-government.md)
- [X: Of the Forms of a Commonwealth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_treatises_of_government_se/chapters/x-of-the-forms-of-a-commonwealth.md)
- [XI: Of the Extent of the Legislative Power](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_treatises_of_government_se/chapters/xi-of-the-extent-of-the-legislative-power.md)
- [XII: Of the Legislative, Executive, and Federative Power of the Commonwealth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_treatises_of_government_se/chapters/xii-of-the-legislative-executive-and-federative-power-of-the-commonwealth.md)
- [XIII: Of the Subordination of the Powers of the Commonwealth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_treatises_of_government_se/chapters/xiii-of-the-subordination-of-the-powers-of-the-commonwealth.md)
- [XIV: Of Prerogative](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_treatises_of_government_se/chapters/xiv-of-prerogative.md)
- [XV: Of Paternal, Political, and Despotical Power, Considered Together](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_treatises_of_government_se/chapters/xv-of-paternal-political-and-despotical-power-considered-together.md)
- [XVI: Of Conquest](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_treatises_of_government_se/chapters/xvi-of-conquest.md)
- [Of Usurpation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_treatises_of_government_se/chapters/xvii-of-usurpation.md)
- [XVIII: Of Tyranny](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_treatises_of_government_se/chapters/xviii-of-tyranny.md)
- [Of the Dissolution of Government](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_treatises_of_government_se/chapters/xix-of-the-dissolution-of-government.md)
- [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_treatises_of_government_se/chapters/endnotes.md)

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_treatises_of_government_se/chapters