State of Nature and Social Contract

Where it surfaces

• 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.

• IX: Of the Ends of Political Society and Government

  Locke describes the transition from the state of nature to political society through positive agreements, where individuals give up their natural powers for the preservation of property and the common good.

• Endnotes

  Hooker describes the transition from a state of nature to civil society through deliberate agreement and composition among men, establishing government to remedy mutual grievances.