# Natural Rights and Liberty in Two Treatises of Government

> Theme guide for Two Treatises of Government by John Locke.

Locke argues that all men are born free and equal, possessing natural rights to life, liberty, and property, which government must protect and cannot arbitrarily violate.

## Where it surfaces

- [Book I: Of Government](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_treatises_of_government_se/chapters/book-i-of-government): Locke implicitly argues for natural rights and liberty by denying that any man is born into subjection to an absolute monarch.
- [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_treatises_of_government_se/chapters/i): Locke asserts the natural liberty and equality of mankind, directly opposing Filmer's claim that no man is born free.
- [II: Of Paternal and Regal Power](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_treatises_of_government_se/chapters/ii-of-paternal-and-regal-power): Locke counters Filmer's claim that 'men are not naturally free' by asserting that governments are formed by the consent of men using their reason to unite into society, implying a natural state of freedom.
- [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): Locke defends the possibility of natural freedom of mankind, arguing it does not contradict Adam's creation.
- [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): Locke asserts that God gave the earth to all mankind in common, implying a natural right to subsistence and liberty from arbitrary power.
- [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): Locke argues that men are naturally free and equal, rejecting Filmer's claim that birth imposes subjection.
- [Of Monarchy, by Inheritance from Adam](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_treatises_of_government_se/chapters/ix-of-monarchy-by-inheritance-from-adam): Locke grounds property rights in the natural right to self-preservation, which is shared equally by all individuals, not exclusive to a monarch.
- [Book II: Of Civil Government](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_treatises_of_government_se/chapters/book-ii-of-civil-government): Locke asserts that individuals possess inherent natural rights to life, liberty, and property.
- [II: Of the State of Nature](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_treatises_of_government_se/chapters/ii-of-the-state-of-nature): Locke asserts that in the state of nature, individuals have liberty to order their actions and dispose of possessions, but not license to harm others, as they are bound by the law of nature.
- [III: Of the State of War](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_treatises_of_government_se/chapters/iii-of-the-state-of-war): The right to self-preservation and freedom from absolute power is central; Locke argues that anyone attempting to enslave another puts themselves in a state of war, justifying defensive killing.
- [IV: Of Slavery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_treatises_of_government_se/chapters/iv-of-slavery): Locke defines natural liberty as freedom from any superior power on earth, subject only to the law of nature, and argues that absolute arbitrary power is incompatible with a man's preservation.
- [Of Property](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_treatises_of_government_se/chapters/v-of-property): Locke grounds the right to property in natural reason and self-preservation, asserting that individuals have a right to the fruits of their labor.
- [VI: Of Paternal Power](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_treatises_of_government_se/chapters/vi-of-paternal-power): Locke asserts that children are born free and equal, and that parental power is temporary, based on the child's need for care.
- [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): Locke grounds political power in the natural right to self-preservation and property, which cannot be surrendered to arbitrary authority.
- [XVI: Of Conquest](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_treatises_of_government_se/chapters/xvi-of-conquest): The chapter defends the natural rights of individuals, including the right to freedom and inheritance, which cannot be forfeited by the actions of ancestors.
- [XVIII: Of Tyranny](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_treatises_of_government_se/chapters/xviii-of-tyranny): The chapter underscores the protection of properties, liberties, and lives as the end of government, violated by tyranny.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_treatises_of_government_se/themes/natural_rights_and_liberty
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_treatises_of_government_se/themes