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Say what you will about the theology of Richard Dawkins and other Gnu Atheists, but there is no sense in which the theology of actual religious people is more sophisticated.In the first of his Two Treatises, Locke argues against Robert Filmer's justifications of monarchy through divine right, largely on biblical grounds, and like Filmer himself, he uses literalist readings when convenient (and from whichever version and language is most so), and argues from (what he imagines to be) the spirit of...
This is one of the most important works ever written. In the Second Treatise, Locke lays down the theory of natural law and how it relates to the individual as well as to government. Although he was not the first or the only writer tp elaborate such a theory, his interpretation is clear and eloquent, as can be seen in its use in the Declaration of Independence. The First Treatise was basically a refutation of the now obscure authoritarian work "Patriarcha" by Sir Robert Filmer. Although it is an...
As I was finishing Locke and beginning to put this review together, a news story came to my attention which, in a circuitous manner, reminded me of why I felt the need to do some (re)reading about liberalism this year. A FRIVOLOUS DIGRESSIONAn American woman was going through security at Frankfurt International Airport when she was taken aside and told that her carry-on bag contained too many liquids, and that she would have to either dispose of a stick of deodorant in her bag or put it in her c...
So Prof. Shapiro edited and contributed to this book (he also teaches Moral Foundation of Politics, which I read this book for). Can I say (and I know I am risking being called a dork) that I love Locke? I think he's brilliant and when I read this, it really grabbed me as a logical and moral way of thinking of human nature and the responsibilities of government.
I can understand why Thomas Jefferson thought John Locke was one of the greatest men to ever live. The second Treatises of Government is probably the greatest work of political philosophy ever and you can see how much it influenced the founding fathers. What a great read.
I have a new Brow-Bruising Read. John Locke's Two Treatises of Government and a Letter Concerning Toleration is one of the most influential works of political philosophy ever published. It's also quite a slog to get through. Without a doubt the most brutal part of Two Treatises is the first treatise in which Locke provides an exhaustive refutation to Sir Robert Filmer's Patriarcha. The biggest issue I had with the treatise is not necessarily how it is written, although I did find it redundant an...
Separation of powers, separation of church and State and taxation without the consent of the governed. Sound familiar? It doesn’t take long to see that Locke’s Second Treatise on Government is the philosophical grandfather to the American Revolution. One hundred years after it was written, many of Locke’s principles were etched out by Thomas Jefferson’s quill. For Locke, civil government was a tool to maximize individual freedom while providing protection and a forum to resolve disputes.The Firs...
I can think of nothing more empowering than to learn Natural Law by Reading Locke's Two Treatises of Civil Government http://oll.libertyfund.org/?option=co...Confused about how you fit in the world? This will improve your Perspective of Reality. Natural Law:How WE THE PEOPLE got to July 4, 1776 http://donmashaksmn10judicialdistrict...Reading Locke's 2 Treatises of government & learning Natural Law should be as inspirational as this song by Katy Perry - Firework http://youtu.be/QGJuMBdaqIwThe Pur...
Skimmed the Second Treatise.
Essential to understanding the underpinnings of political thought and toleration.
hey! he wrote my constitution...kinda. well read the us constitution with this in the other hand. you ll see what i mean.
Too many commas, but I agree with a lot of what Locke has to say.
Reading it. Quite hard.
The first treatise is almost entirely irrelevant - as a refutation of absolute monarchy you would think it would at least be interesting, but it's clear that Locke is not dealing with anyone who actually formulated the argument for absolute monarchy cogently.The second treatise is, of course, the point. And while I think Locke laid out his political principles pretty well, I was actually kind of struck by how unmoved I was. I generally agree with his political philosophy and think his right of r...
I read the Second Treatise on Government as part of my Great Works Project. I'm not going to lie: this was tough. I had a hard time maintaining interest, despite the fact that this book is pretty essential reading for any American who wants to understand more about the the Founding Fathers and the ideas that frame our government. What can I say... I've become what the Founders would have despised- I take my freedoms too much for granted.
Extremely influential work referenced by the Founding Fathers. You can see why they call The Declaration of Independence a Lockeian document. Locke argues against the right of kings and claims that all men have equal right to life, liberty and the pursuit of property. He also adds that the right to govern comes from the people who turn this God-given right over to the people they choose to govern in their behalf.
The second Treaties sould be mandatory reading!!
I figured that at some point or another it would be a responsible thing to read through some of the foundational documents and ideas that founded America - which is why I picked this up and dove into it. It's fascinating to read from this vantage point in history, where our nation and its constitution have been around for so long. Many of the ideas in the book seem self-evident, or commonsensical, and so it was a fascinating exercise to try and put ones mind into the arena of the day it was writ...
I was already familiar with Locke before reading this, but I'm blown away at his clarity and insight. Most Americans think they know Locke, but really don't. We're vaguely familiar with the ideas, but can't articulate them, and frequently scorn them. The First Treatise is kind of tedious, aimed at knocking down the then-recent concept of the divine right of kings. He tackles it from every single angle possible. The Second Treatise is astoundingly clear, refreshing, and compelling. Many ideas are...
Two Treaties of Government and A Letter Concerning Toleration is the first philosophical original work I've read from start to finish. Being written in 1689, the language took some pages getting used to. Uncontroversially, I found that the work contained a number of thought-provoking ideas and concepts. In the first treaty, the Biblical argumentation challenged me to comprehend the "common truth" in the 17th century: namely that the Bible was (if not all, but a big part of) the foundation of wha...