Locke (Oneworld Thinkers)

The philosophy of John Locke has dramatically shaped the way we live today. He is quoted in the American Declaration of Independence and has had a lasting influence on many of our political systems, shaping our ideas on rights, government by consent, religious toleration, psychology and empirical science. Thought by many to be the quintessential philosopher of the modern age, his ideas are the key to understanding society and politics in the West. In this accessible introduction, Edward Feser explores Locke in historical context as well as his lasting influence, and looks critically at his legacy. In this, the author argues, we find the origins of many of the conflicts that dominate modern Western social and political life. Contents......Page 6 Preface and acknowledgements......Page 8 System of citations......Page 12 Locke’s significance......Page 14 Locke’s life and character......Page 18 Further reading......Page 21 The Scholastic tradition......Page 22 Early modern philosophy and science......Page 34 The Lockean project......Page 40 Further reading......Page 41 Character of the work......Page 44 Against innate notions......Page 47 The theory of ideas......Page 54 Perception and the physical world......Page 59 Substance, essence, and language......Page 69 Personal identity......Page 79 Free will......Page 87 Thinking matter and the existence of God......Page 92 Knowledge......Page 100 Conclusion......Page 110 Further reading......Page 113 The Two Treatises in context......Page 116 The law of nature......Page 121 Tensions with the Essay......Page 130 Private property......Page 136 From the state of nature to civil society......Page 147 Revolution......Page 158 Further reading......Page 161 A Letter Concerning Toleration......Page 164 Further reading......Page 174 Locke’s Contestable Legacy......Page 176 Index......Page 186 Contents 6 Preface and acknowledgements 8 System of citations 12 The Quintessential Modern Philosopher 14 Locke’s significance 14 Locke’s life and character 18 Further reading 21 Locke in Context 22 The Scholastic tradition 22 Early modern philosophy and science 34 The Lockean project 40 Further reading 41 The Essay Concerning Human Understanding 44 Character of the work 44 Against innate notions 47 The theory of ideas 54 Perception and the physical world 59 Substance, essence, and language 69 Personal identity 79 Free will 87 Thinking matter and the existence of God 92 Knowledge 100 Conclusion 110 Further reading 113 The Second Treatise of Government 116 The Two Treatises in context 116 The law of nature 121 Tensions with the Essay 130 Private property 136 From the state of nature to civil society 147 Revolution 158 Further reading 161 A Letter Concerning Toleration 164 Further reading 174 Locke’s Contestable Legacy 176 Index 186 "In this introduction, Edward Feser examines Locke's philosophy in its historical context, trades its influences on subsequent thinkers, and provides a critical evaluation of Locke's legacy. It is in Locke's thought, the author argues, that we find the origins of many of the intractable conflicts that dominate modern Western society and politics."--BOOK JACKET. Thought by many to be the quintessential philosopher of the modern age, John Locke's ideas are the key to understanding society and politics in the West. In this accessible introduction, Edward Feser explores Locke's works and looks critically at his legacy. In this, the author argues, we find the origins of many of the conflicts that dominate modern politics. Introduces Locke's works and examines both classical and contemporary debates that they have sparked.