Two Treatises of Government · Character
Mr. Selden
Legal scholar referenced in discussions of property and consent.
minor
First appearance: v of property
Mr. Selden's tie to Adam is one of the pressures that moves Two Treatises of Government—worth meeting in the text, not only on a cast list.
Selden's view that Adam was made 'general lord of all things' is cited by Filmer; Locke distinguishes Selden's property-based interpretation from Filmer's monarchical claim.
Mr. Selden first appears in 0019 v of property.
With Adam (rivalry): Locke uses Adam to challenge Selden's views on natural law and the origins of political authority. With Adam (rivalry): Locke uses Adam to challenge Selden's views on natural law and the origins of political authority.
In Of Adam’s Title to Sovereignty, by Donation, Gen. 1:28: Selden's view that Adam was made 'general lord of all things' is cited by Filmer; Locke distinguishes Selden's property-based interpretation from Filmer's monarchical claim.
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Character Web
3 connectionsA slice of how Mr. Selden sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.
Relationship types
- Rivalry
- Other
Character groups
- Diverse biblical and legal authorities
- Protagonist
- Natural law and divine right theorists
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Open in readerNarrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
The emotional and psychological peak occurs as the endnotes abruptly shift from Locke’s own argument to a dens…
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Follow the arc while readingRelationships
- Adam
rivalry · negative
Locke uses Adam to challenge Selden's views on natural law and the origins of political… How this plays out →
- Adam
rivalry · negative
Locke uses Adam to challenge Selden's views on natural law and the origins of political… How this plays out →
Relationship notes
How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.
See Mr. Selden in v of propertyIn the story
Mr. Selden appears across 1 companion beat. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.
Chapter companion notes
Spoil-light check-ins for Mr. Selden unlock in the free preview.
See Mr. Selden in v of property