Locke Flashcards
Does Locke think some people are destined to be our rulers?
- No, he claims it is is impossible that any current rulers now on earth be able to claim that their right to rule is based on divinity, because a) Adam did not have divine right of dominion over the world to begin with. B)Even if he did, and it was inherited, there was no way to track his lineage with absolute certainty.
How does he describe people who live in a state of nature?
A man in this original state is bound by the laws of nature (e.g don’t kill, steal), but he is otherwise able to live, act, and dispose of his possessions as he sees fit.
What are some Natural Rights that humans have?
A right to life, health, liberty and possessions/
Can you do anything you want in a state of nature? Why or why not?
No. Although it is a state of liberty, it is not a state of license. One cannot destroy himself or a creature he possesses, and is obligated to not harm another in his life, health, liberty, or possessions, because everyone is equal children of god, and you will be punished for breaking laws of nature.
Who is a criminal?
A criminal is someone who harms someone’s life, health, liberty and possessions.
What is the Great Law of Nature?
“Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed”
What is the state of war?
The state of war occurs when people exert unwelcome force on other people, interfering with their own natural rights and freedom, without common authority.
How did people treat criminals in a state of nature, versus today?
In a state of nature, criminals are dealt with by every one, as everyone has a right to punish the criminals in order to discourage others from committing the same acts. Today, criminals are punished by the government we have assigned the right to punishment over.
When does a state of war end in a society, and in a state of nature?
- In society, war ends when the act of force, such as fighting, is over. When the last blow has been thrown, both parties can appeal to common authorities for the final resolution of past wrongs.
- But in nature, war does not end until the aggressive party offers peace and offers to repair the damage done.
What are Locke’s opinions of slavery?
- He believes that freedom from absolute authority is so fundamental to humans that no one can willingly relinquish it, making voluntary enlistment in slavery impossible. The only possible justifiable slavery is in a state of war when someone forfeits their rights through committing a crime, and is giving away his life as his punishment, but even then it should be limited in duration.
What is the difference between a servant and a slave?
- A servant is someone who entered into a social contract to perform labor in exchange for compensation,, and retain natural rights. A slave is forcibly deprived of their liberty and subject to the will of their masters.
Can you have private property in a state of nature? What do you have to do to claim ownership of an item?
- Yes you can. While the earth can be considered the property of all the people in the world to use for their collective survival and benefit, Lock believes that people can still possess individual property, such as themselves.
- To claim ownership of an item or land, one must apply their own physical labor (their own property), to an object/land, and that object and any resulting products become his property as well.
Is it possible to take too much of a collective resource?
- You can take too much if you take so much that you can’t enjoy it all, and some of it goes to waste.
How is the value of an item determined?
The value is determined by how much labor is put into producing an item – now it is rooted in money, but that’s still based in property of labor.
How does he define civil society?
Civil society is based on the principles of natural law, mutual consent, and the social contract. In civil society, individuals retain their natural rights and have the freedom to act according to their own judgment, provided they do not infringe upon the rights of others.
