Hobbes, Locke, and Confusion's Masterpiece : An Examination of Seventeenth-Century Political Philosophy

In this major 2003 study of the foundations of modern political theory the eminent political philosopher Ross Harrison explains, analyzes, and criticizes the work of Hobbes, Locke, and their contemporaries. He provides a full account of the turbulent historical background that shaped the political, intellectual, and religious content of this philosophy. The book explores such questions as the limits of political authority and the relation of the legitimacy of government to the will of its people in non-technical, accessible prose that will appeal to students of philosophy, politics, theology and history. Cover 1 Half-title 3 Title 5 Copyright 6 Contents 7 Introduction 9 1 The Word 15 Religion and War 17 A Sixteenth-Century Example 20 Conscience and King 27 The Law of Nature 34 What Hooker Knew 40 Universal Doubt 45 2 The Great Beast Leviathan 51 Hobbes Himself 56 Biblical Authority 61 Scientific Authority 69 Self Preservation 72 3 The State of Hobbes’s Nature 78 Binding Force 85 Counsel and Command 89 Natural Reasons 96 Naturally Nasty 100 4 Hobbes: The Birth of Justice 109 Constructing the State 116 Keeping the Contract 121 The Foole 127 Will and Power 132 5 War and Peace: Grotius and Pufendorf 140 The Basis of Natural Law 144 Natural Rights 152 The Authority of Princes 160 The Role of God 166 6 Locke’s Law 171 Toleration 173 Hobbes, Locke, and Filmer 176 Nature 182 The Law Maker 189 The Content of the Law 193 7 Disobedient Locke 198 Consent 199 The Need for Government 202 Social Contract 208 Oaths of Allegiance 213 Limits to Consent 217 Trust and Discretion 220 Rebellion 224 8 The Key to Locke’s Property 227 Taxation 228 The Origins of Property 232 Labour and Self-ownership 236 The Provisos 240 Property and Government 246 From Duty to Right 249 9 Why Utility Pleases 253 The Tasks of Political Philosophy 255 Normativity 260 Motivation 263 General Theory of Value 265 Book Notes 275 Introduction 275 Chapter 1 275 Chapters 2–4 (Hobbes) 277 Chapter 5 (Grotius and Pufendorf) 280 Grotius and Pufendorf texts 280 Chapters 6–8 (Locke) 281 Chapter 9 283 Index 285 In This Major Study Of The Foundations Of Modern Political Theory The Eminent Political Philosopher T.r. Harrison Explains, Analyzes, And Criticizes The Work Of Hobbes, Locke, And Their Contemporaries. He Provides A Full Account Of The Turbulent Historical Background That Shaped The Political, Intellectual, And Religious Content Of This Philosophy. The Book Explores Such Questions As The Limits Of Political Authority And The Relation Of The Legitimacy Of Government To The Will Of Its People In Non-technical, Accessible Prose That Will Appeal To Students Of Philosophy, Politics, Theology And History. The Word -- The Great Beast Leviathan -- The State Of Hobbes's Nature -- Hobbes : The Birth Of Justice -- War And Peace : Grotius And Pufendorf -- Locke's Law -- Disobedient Locke -- The Key To Locke's Property -- Why Utility Pleases. Ross Harrison. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 267-275) And Index. In Hobbes, Locke, and Confusion's Masterpiece, an important new study of the foundations of modern political theory, Ross Harrison, the eminent political philosopher, analyzes the work of Hobbes, Locke, and their contemporaries. He provides a detailed account of the turbulent historical background that shaped the political, intellectual, and religious content of political theory as it evolved in seventeenth-century England. Harrison explores such questions as the limits of political authority and the relationship between the legitimacy of government and the will of the people in a non-technical style that will appeal to professionals and students in philosophy, theology, and history. This is an excellent explication and critical discussion of the main themes in Hobbes's and Locke's political philosophy. Harrison sets up the intellectual background very well, in terms of such issues as skepticism, natural law, and the problem of political authority, and draws illuminating connections and comparisons with other philosophers such as Grotius and Pufendorf. Harrison usefully brings in other texts by Hobbes and Locke to shed light on the major concepts. His interpretations are convincing and philosophically acute, and get to the heart of the matter. Highly recommended. In this major study of the foundations of modern political theory, the eminent political philosopher Ross Harrison explains, analyzes, and criticizes the work of Hobbes, Locke and their contemporaries. He provides a complete account of the turbulent historical background that shaped the political, intellectual and religious content of this philosophy. The book explores the limits of political authority and the relationship of the legitimacy of government to the will of its people in non-technical, accessible prose. Ross Harrison's critical study of the ideas of Hobbes, Locke and their contemporaries explores the limits of political authority and the legitimacy of government to the will of the people. The book is written in accessible and non-technical language