Two Treatises of Government · Question
How does Two Treatises of Government develop the theme of State of Nature and Social Contract?
Answer
Two Treatises of Government by John Locke develops State of Nature and Social Contract across the chapters the companion marks for this theme.
Humans originally exist in a state of perfect freedom and equality governed by natural law, but they enter into a social contract to form civil society for better protection of their rights.
Implicit in Locke's rejection of Filmer's claim that Adam's creation immediately established political authority.
Locke defines the state of nature as a state of perfect freedom and equality, governed by the law of nature, which forms the basis for political society through consent.
Locke distinguishes the state of nature (peace, reason, no common superior) from the state of war (force, enmity, no appeal), showing how the social contract aims to avoid war.
Evidence in the book
- Of Adam's Title to Sovereignty by Creation
Implicit in Locke's rejection of Filmer's claim that Adam's creation immediately established political authority.
- II: Of the State of Nature
Locke defines the state of nature as a state of perfect freedom and equality, governed by the law of nature, which forms the basis for political society through consent.
- III: Of the State of War
Locke distinguishes the state of nature (peace, reason, no common superior) from the state of war (force, enmity, no appeal), showing how the social contract aims to avoid war.
- IV: Of Slavery
Locke explains that a compact between a conqueror and a captive ends the state of war and slavery, as no man can consent to give another power over his own life.
- Of Property
The chapter describes a state of nature where property arises from labor without explicit consent, and later societies use compact to regulate property.
- VI: Of Paternal Power
Locke describes how fathers' authority in families arose from tacit consent of children, not natural right, illustrating the social contract.
- Of Political or Civil Society
Locke contrasts the state of nature with civil society, noting that absolute monarchy leaves subjects in a state of nature regarding the ruler.
- Of the Beginning of Political Societies
Locke describes the transition from the state of nature to civil society through a social compact, where individuals agree to form a body politic.
