Locke: Political Writings

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Hackett Publishing, Mar 15, 2003 - Philosophy - 488 pages

John Locke's Second Treatise of Government (c. 1681) is perhaps the key founding liberal text. A Letter Concerning Toleration, written in 1685 (a year when a Catholic monarch came to the throne of England and Louis XVI unleashed a reign of terror against Protestants in France), is a classic defense of religious freedom. Yet many of Locke's other writings--not least the Constitutions of Carolina, which he helped draft--are almost defiantly anti-liberal in outlook.

This comprehensive collection brings together the main published works (excluding polemical attacks on other people's views) with the most important surviving evidence from among Locke’s papers relating to his political philosophy. David Wootton's wide-ranging and scholarly Introduction sets the writings in the context of their time, examines Locke's developing ideas and unorthodox Christianity, and analyzes his main arguments. The result is the first fully rounded picture of Locke’s political thought in his own words.

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Contents

Preface
1
Introduction
5
Suggestions for Further Reading
123
A Note on the Texts
131
Letter to SH Henry Stubbe midSeptember? 1659
137
Letter to Tom 20 October 1659
139
From Question Whether the civil magistrate may lawfully impose and determine the use of indifferent things in reference to religious worship
141
Preface to the Reader from the First Tract on Government
146
The Idea We Have of God Journal 1 August 1680
237
Inspiration Journal 3 April 1681
238
Virtus 1681 from the 1661 Commonplace Book
240
From The First Treatis of Government c 1681
242
Two Sorts of Knowledge Journal 26 June 1681
259
The Second Treatise of Government An Essay Concerning the True Original Extent and End of Civil Government c 1681
261
Letter to Edward Clarke 27 January6 February 1685
387
A Letter Concerning Toleration 1685
390

Question Can the civil magistrate specify indifferent things to be included within the order of divine worship?
152
Question Is each mans private interest the foundation of the law of nature?
177
Letter to the Hon Robert Boyle 1222 December 166
184
An Essay Concerning Toleration 1667
186
The Fundamental Consitutions of Carolina 1669
210
Philanthropy or The Christian Philosophers 1675
232
Obligation of Penal Laws Journal 25 February 1676
234
Law Journal 21 April 1678
236
Letter to Edward Clarkc 29 January8 February 1689
436
Preface to Two Treatises of Government 1689
438
Labour 1693 from the 1661 Commonplace Book
440
Venditio 1695 from the 1661 Commonplace Book
442
Draft of a Representation Containing a Scheme of Methods for the Employment of the Poor
446
Bibliography
462
Index
471
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About the author (2003)

David Wootton is Anniversary Professor of History, University of York. His translations of Machiavelli (The Prince and Selected Political Writings), Thomas More (Utopia), and Voltaire (Candide and Related Texts) are also published by Hackett Publishing Company.

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