Two treatises of the government is one of the most inspiring and impacting essay of John Locke. The gist of both texts revolves around the notions of government origins and property.
The first treatise criticizes Robert Filmer’s book (The Patriarcha) which argues in favor of a hereditary absolutist monarchy. John Locke believes all men have natural rights and the government's obligation is to protect them. Filmer’s patriarcha states that Adam governs his children and God is the leader of the universe. Therefore kings have the divine right to rule and rebelling against them is a sin. However, Locke opposes the idea that a king has the natural right to life and death over his subjects. He affirms that absolute monarchy without consentment leads men to live like slaves. Unlike Filmer, he explains that a father has no authority over his son but the …show more content…
Therefore, before man enters society they agree to give some of their rights to a political body. In return, that political body must give them protection. If à political body abuses their power then the people have the right to rebel. In this treaty several different ideas are mentioned. Self-preservation, notion of property, goverment election are à few of Locke’s topics. Locke puts foward the law of self-preservation as he believes à person may have recourse to killing in case of self defense. Thus, if àn individual goes on someone’s else property to commit à crime like robbery, the property’s owner has the right to murder the invader. Locke’s philosophy on property is conditioned by the investment of time and labor which means that ones can acquire property if they work on it and add value to it. Additionally, Locke states the other criteria of property acquisition is the use of it. In chapters 10 and 11, Locke explains that the people can be ruled by any form of goverment as long as the people are for it: it can be à hereditary monarchy or even à
The first treatise criticizes Robert Filmer’s book (The Patriarcha) which argues in favor of a hereditary absolutist monarchy. John Locke believes all men have natural rights and the government's obligation is to protect them. Filmer’s patriarcha states that Adam governs his children and God is the leader of the universe. Therefore kings have the divine right to rule and rebelling against them is a sin. However, Locke opposes the idea that a king has the natural right to life and death over his subjects. He affirms that absolute monarchy without consentment leads men to live like slaves. Unlike Filmer, he explains that a father has no authority over his son but the …show more content…
Therefore, before man enters society they agree to give some of their rights to a political body. In return, that political body must give them protection. If à political body abuses their power then the people have the right to rebel. In this treaty several different ideas are mentioned. Self-preservation, notion of property, goverment election are à few of Locke’s topics. Locke puts foward the law of self-preservation as he believes à person may have recourse to killing in case of self defense. Thus, if àn individual goes on someone’s else property to commit à crime like robbery, the property’s owner has the right to murder the invader. Locke’s philosophy on property is conditioned by the investment of time and labor which means that ones can acquire property if they work on it and add value to it. Additionally, Locke states the other criteria of property acquisition is the use of it. In chapters 10 and 11, Locke explains that the people can be ruled by any form of goverment as long as the people are for it: it can be à hereditary monarchy or even à