Synopses & Reviews
<div>John Locke (1632-1704), one of the great philosophers, is probably best known for his contributions to political thought. In this outstanding volume, Professor Eric Mack of Tulane University explains Locke's philosophical position, placing it in the tumultuous political and religious context of 17th century England. For Locke, entering into political society did not involve giving up one's natural rights, but rather transferring to governmental authority the job of protecting those rights. In this rigorous critical analysis, Mack argues that Locke provides an impressive - if not decisive - philosophical case for the view that individuals have natural rights to life, liberty and property, despite the existence or actions of any political authority.</div>>
Synopsis
This volume includes an intellectual biography, historical context, critical exposition of Locke's work, reception and influence, contemporary relevance, bibliography including references to electronic resources and an index.
Synopsis
John Locke (1632-1704), one of the great philosophers, is probably best known for his contributions to political thought. In this outstanding volume, Eric Mack explains Locke's philosophical position, placing it in the tumultuous political and religious context of 17th century England. For Locke, entering into political society did not involve giving up one's natural rights, but rather transferring to governmental authority the job of protecting those rights. In this rigorous critical analysis, Mack argues that Locke provides an impressive - if not decisive - philosophical case for the view that individuals have natural rights to life, liberty and property, despite the existence or actions of any political authority.
Synopsis
John Locke (1632-1704), one of the great philosophers, is probably best known for his contributions to political thought. In this outstanding volume, Eric Mack explains Locke's philosophical position, placing it in the tumultuous political and religious context of 17th century England. For Locke, entering into political society did not involve giving up one's natural rights, but rather transferring to governmental authority the job of protecting those rights. In this rigorous critical analysis, Mack argues that Locke provides an impressive - if not decisive - philosophical case for the view that individuals have natural rights to life, liberty and property, despite the existence or actions of any political authority.
About the Author
Eric Mack is Professor of Philosophy at Tulane University, USA, and the author of numerous articles in scholarly journals on libertarian philosophy.
Table of Contents
Series IntroductionSeries Editor's Preface AcknowledgementsPart I: Intellectual BiographyChapter 1. The Historical and Ideological Context of Locke's Political Philosophy1. The Aims of This Work2. A Century of Ideological and Political Conflict3.The Political Authoritarianism of Robert Filmer4.The Political Authoritarianism of Thomas HobbesPart II: Critical ExpositionChapter 2. Natural Freedom, Natural Law, and Natural Rights1. Perfect Freedom2. The Inborn Constitution Program versus Divine Voluntarism3. The Rational Pursuit of Happiness, Moral Equality, and the Reciprocity Argument4. The Workmanship of God, the False Presumption, and the Like Reason Arguments5. Reason, Motivation, and Compliance with the Law of NatureChapter 3. More State of Nature Rights1. The Right to Act as Executor of the Law of Nature2. The Earth as Common to all Mankind3. Rights over Permissibly Appropriated Objects4. The Provisos and their Satisfaction in the Pre-Monetary Phase5. Money and the Satisfaction of the Provisos in the Commercial Phase6 The Enough and As Good Proviso and the Poor LawChapter 4. From the State of Nature to the State1. The Inconveniences of the State of Nature and the Resigning Up of Rights2. Majoritarianism - Radically Constrained3. The Doctrine of ConsentChapter 5. Conquest, Resistance, and Dissolution 1. Conquest and Usurpation2. Tyranny and Dissolution3. Political Society as the Agent of Resistance 4. Inescapable Private JudgmentChapter 6. Locke on Toleration1. The Lockean State and Religious Liberty2. Further Considerations against the Magistrate's Authority in Religious Matters3. Locke versus ProastPart III: Reception and Contemporary RelevanceChapter 7. The Reception and Philosophical Legacy of Locke's Political Philosophy1. The Reception of Locke's Political Thought2. Individualism and Rights3. The Role and Character of Rights4. Property Rights and Prosperity5. Consent and State LegitimacyBibliographyIndex