Essay On John Locke Violence

Violence as seen in many communities is a very debated topic. The question most discussed tends to be when it’s okay to use violence against another individual. In terms of John Locke, in the absence of government in a civic society one has every right to use violence as self defense to protect their life, liberty and estates; any aggression towards another person is a challenge of the victims’ freedom whether there be a common judge or not. Even in a state of nature, rights still exist and take president since everyone is free, equal and has a right to private property. In a state of nature when self interest, bias and revenge are present each can lead to a state of war. People join societies in order to gain protection, but what if society isn’t there to protect you? Before society, people would live in a state of nature. In a state of nature, Locke says that we are free, equal and have rights to our private property specifically when he writes, “Being all equal and independent, no one ought to harm another in his life, health, liberty, or possessions.” According to Locke, nobody in a state of nature is responsible for another human being; however, this doesn’t give one the authority to recklessly abuse another. In a state of nature, natural laws still exist, because they are universal. Private property in the …show more content…
Once someone challenges any of your property, what is to say they would not then come after something even greater? Therefor it is okay to defend oneself. If the aggressor uses force, “it is Lawful for me to treat him, as one who has put himself into a State of War with me, I.e. kill him if I can; for to that hazard does he justly expose himself, whoever introduces a State of War, and is Aggressor in it.” State of war; however, does not solely exist in a state of