John Locke Summary Chapter 1

Tyler Windsor History 102 Steve Stager February-March 2014 John Locke John Locke wrote a government idea in the 17th century that many people today would think is the idea of a fool. He thought that the government needed to stay out of the way of the lives of others and let the natural rights take place. Locke thought that the people were good and could live just fine without the government trying to control their every move. Locke implied the government is intended to be an instrument for the people and they could adjust or change the instrument as needed to best fit their needs (Pourly 2)

John Locke's, An Essay Concerning Human Understanding (1690), was first criticized by the philosopher and theologian, John Norris of Bemerton, in his "Cursory Reflections upon a Book Call'd, An Essay Concerning Human Understanding," and appended to his Christian Blessedness or Discourses upon the Beatitudes (1690). Norris's criticisms of Locke prompted three replies, which were only posthumously published. Locke has been viewed, historically, as the winner of this debate; however, new evidence has emerged which suggests that Norris's argument against the foundation of knowledge in sense-perception that the Essay advocated was a valid and worthy critique, which Locke did, in fact, take rather seriously. Charlotte Johnston's "Locke's Examination of Malebranche and John Norris" (1958), has been widely accepted as conclusively showing that Locke's replies were not philosophical, but rather personal in origin; her essay, however, overlooks critical facts that undermine her subjective analysis of Locke's stance in relation to Norris's criticisms of the Essay. This paper provides those facts, revealing the philosophical—not personal—impetus for Locke's replies.

Review this essay John Locke – Second treatise, of civil government 1. First of all, John Locke reminds the reader from where the right of political power comes from. He expands the idea by saying, “we must consider what estate all men are naturally in, and that is, a state of perfect freedom to order their actions, and dispose of their possessions and persons as they think fit.” Locke believes in equality among all people. Since every creature on earth was created by God, no one has advantages over another.

“¬¬” A revolution is the replacement of a government by a different one. The idea of revolution has been around since the first kingdoms were found. However, the idea was not as developed until the enlightenment. John Locke, one of the greatest philosophers of all time came up with the idea that if a government does not function properly, people can rebel and form a new government.

In his essay “An Essay Concerning Human Understanding” John Locke makes a connection between memory and consciousness and called this connection the memory theory. The memory theory states that if “a thinking intelligent being, that has reason and reflection, and can consider itself as itself, [and is] the same thinking thing, in different times and places” then it is continuously the same rational being has a consciousness (Locke 1959). Locke ties the consciousness and memory together by saying that “as far as … consciousness can be extended backwards to any past action or thought, so far reaches the identity of that person”; meaning that if a person has memories of their existence and actions they are the same person. Locke connects the memory

Throughout the world, America is known for its incredible democracy and unique system of government. Our representative democracy has inspired many other countries to follow suit, creating a safer and less corrupt world than the one our ancestors lived in. However, not many people know that our government was actually heavily influenced by England and its government.

Locke's "Second Treatise, of Civil Government" has the main idea of putting sovereignty into the hands of the people, and this was one of the main ideas behind the constitution. It plays in very well, the framers built the government around the people, by making it a republic. On the national level all people are represented, and as it is divided down to state, county, city, etc. the people gain more power.

Civil Government and Locke The Second Treatise of Government provides Locke's theorizes the individual rights and involvement with the government; he categorizes them in two areas -- natural rights theory and social contract. 1.Natural state; rights which human beings are to have before government comes into being. 2.Social contact; when conditions in natural state are unsatisfactory, and there's need to develop society into functioning of central government. Political Power and Natural state:

It is uncontroversial to declare complete equality is a basic feature of most (if not all) accounts of the state of nature. Not only that, but that this complete equality is what the state of natural ultimately comes down to. Like Hobbes, Locke agrees with this point in his Second Treatise of Government:

Essay I agree with Document B… Locke, because he basically believes about the government begin by nature and everyone. He said “it teaches all mankind of being equal and independent”. “No one should harm another’s life, health, liberty or professions”. I also agree with having independence and freedom without harm. Naturally with freedom and have your own opinion. Well disagreeing with another basically telling your opinion of State of Nature. Not depending on one another but more of nature. Hobbes believes that everyone is selfish and just terrible but Locke believes of independence and believes we shouldn’t spoil anything God has created of this world also with Political powers. He speaks about opinions are okay and are spoken freely. Living