Summary John Locke, western political philosopher, study notes pdf, political science semester V
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Module
POL CC512
Institution
Patna University
Precise pdf notes on John Locke, a western philosopher and his views on human nature, state of nature, social contract, secularism, right to property, natural rights, popular government, religious tolerance, resistance, and consent. And his contributions to political philosophy - liberalism, separa...
JOHN LOCKE
-“Labour of his body and the work of his Hands are properly his. What so ever then he
removes out of the state that nature hath provided, and left it in, he hath mixed his labour
with, and joined to it something that is his won and thereby makes it his property”.
● Born in a Somerset village, England, in the summer of 1632.
● Father of Liberalism
● Published major works including "Essay Concerning Human Understanding" and "The
Letter on Toleration" (1689).
● Died in 1704, having left a significant impact on philosophy, particularly in the areas of
liberalism, constitutionalism, and empiricism.
● Two Treatises of Government" (1689) argued for constitutional government and
natural rights.
● "An Essay Concerning Human Understanding" (1690) laid the foundation for modern
empiricism.
● Advocated for the separation of church and state, the social contract, and the right to
rebellion against unjust governments.
● Influenced Enlightenment thinkers like Rousseau and Voltaire, and later empiricists such
as Hume and Berkeley.
● Supported early feminist thinkers like Mary Astell and Catherine Macaulay.
● Emphasised the importance of consent, resistance, and toleration.
● Viewed as a foundational figure in the development of liberal constitutionalism and
representative democracy.
INFLUENCES ON LOCKE
● Locke was a witness to a glorious revolution which restored monarchy in England. He
was a witness to the Bloodless Revolution which was peaceful. That is why he
developed a positive attitude towards human nature in his theories.
● In addition, Locke was influenced by a number of earlier and contemporary thinkers like
Filmer and Hobbes.
● Locke was influenced by Earl of Shaftsbury. Through this contact he gained experience
in politics. Locke had a deep impact of Hooker and borrowed the theory of consent and
the theory of contract from him.
, STATE OF NATURE & SOCIAL CONTRACT
● State of nature is conceived as a state prior to the establishment of political society.
Unlike Hobbes, In Locke's version it is pre-political, but not pre-social, as men are social
by nature. The state of nature, far from being a war of all, is a state of "peace, goodwill,
mutual assistance and self-preservation.
● (Locke asserts that all human beings are equal, in the moral sense and every individual
is endowed certain natural rights such as right of life, liberty and property. )
● Locke’s description of state of nature was not as gloomy and pessimistic as Hobbes’.
The individuals in the Lockean state of nature were naturally free and became a political
subject out of their free will.
● The State of Nature is governed by Natural Law, which is reason given by God, teaching that
all people are equal and independent, and no one should harm another in their life, health,
liberty, or possessions
● Men are by nature rational beings, impelled by their inner nature to treat humanity.but, still
there are a few persons who set aside the rules of morality in pursuance of their self interest.
In the absence of any established authority in the state of nature, it becomes very difficult to
deal with such offenders .
● According to him in the state of nature man enjoys rights of life, liberty and property because
of the presence of reason in him. Hence, . Any law made by the state which deprives its men
from rights to life, liberty and property cannot be considered as fair, just and reasonable.
● If men become judges of their own case, justice would never be served. In such a case, the
state of nature proves to be inconvenient. In order to rectify this defect, man abandons the
state of nature and enters into civil or political society through the means of a contract.
● When men enter the contract , they surrender their natural right to be judges in case of
breaches of law. This power is now vested in the hands of community rather than the
individuals. However, they still retain their natural rights to life, liberty and property.
Locke's social contract theory consists of several stages:
1. Unanimous Agreement: Individuals must unanimously agree to form a community and
pool their natural powers to protect each other's rights.
2. Majority Vote: The community must then agree by majority vote to establish legislative and
other institutions.
3. Taxation Consent: The community must also agree, either personally or through
representatives, to any taxes imposed.
Stages of Contract:
1. Creation of Society: Society is formed first through mutual agreement.
2. Setting Up Government: Establishing government is a secondary step following the
creation of society.
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