John Locke
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Description
This chapter discusses and defends the relevance of John Locke’s writings as political philosophy. Because historical research by Pere Laslett, John Dunn, and others into the circumstances of the composition of Locke’s major political writings has been so productive, it has become fashionable to play down the philosophical aspect of these writings and emphasize their function as pieces written for particular political occasions. I believe this is a mistake, and in the chapter that follows, I associate myself with those (like A. John Simmons, for example) who see the historical dimension more as a complement to, than as a substitute for, serious philosophical analysis. Locke’s political philosophy continues to have an immense impact on the framing and the pursuit of liberal ideas in modern political thought – ideas about social contract, government by consent, natural law, equality, individual rights, civil disobedience, and private property. The discussion and application of Locke’s arguments is thus an indispensable feature of political philosophy as it is practised today.
Source Publication
Political Thinkers: From Socrates to the Present
Source Editors/Authors
David Boucher, Paul Kelly
Publication Date
2009
Edition
2
Recommended Citation
Waldron, Jeremy, "John Locke" (2009). Faculty Chapters. 1549.
https://gretchen.law.nyu.edu/fac-chapt/1549
